Lever, C., 1990. Lake Nakuru black rhinoceros sanctuary. Oryx 24 (2): 90-94, figs. 1-4, map 1
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| Location: |
Africa - Eastern Africa - Kenya |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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Only 18 months after the launch of the Rhino Rescue Appeal, the first black rhinos were released in Nakuru, to join the two already within the National Park. Seventeen animals were transferred from the private Solio ranch near Nyeri, (which in addition to supporting a population of no fewer than 85 black rhinos also contains a group of 30 introduced white rhinos) owned by an American, Mr Courtland E. Parfet, another patron of the Trust. The founding stock was deliberately kept low to encourage the animals to breed more freely. Without the foresight of Mr Parfet in creating his private sanctuary at Solio, the work of the Trust would not have been possible.
Shortly after the rhinos were transferred from Solio to Nakuru, an immature female was attacked and injured by an adult female. After treatment of her wounds in the holding pens she was released, only to be attacked and injured again. On the second occasion she rather touchingly returned to the holding pens for treatment of her own accord, and after recovery was transferred from Nakuru to a private sanctuary. If and when the population at Nakuru becomes too great, surplus animals will also be transferred to other public or private sanctuaries.
A further 11 female black rhinos from Solio are due to be added to Nakuru shortly, which is now home to 19 animals (11 males, seven females and one calf born since the sanctuary was formed), and several of the females are believed to be in calf. From this breeding nucleus at Nakuru, which it is estimated can hold at least 60 adult rhinos, the future of the species in Kenya, where in 1988 for the first time in many years more rhinos were born than were killed, now seems assured. In time it is hoped that some animals can safely be returned to the wild in other unfenced national parks. This is Rhino Rescue's ultimate objective. That such a magnificent creature should ever be allowed to disappear from the earth is surely unthinkable.
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Lake Nakuru black rhinoceros sanctuary
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