Loisaba has received conditional approval from KWS (Kenya Wildlife Service) to become a Rhino Sanctuary.
Black rhinos were last seen at Loisaba in the early 70’s, and it is an aim to make Loisaba a permanent home for rhinos again. Laikipia is already a stronghold for the eastern black rhino, with proven success in the similar environments to Loisaba such as Ol Jogi, Ol Pejeta and Lewa-Borana, which are prime black rhino habitat. The national black rhino action plan recognises the need to identify areas for population expansion to achieve the vision of attaining a metapopulation of 2,000 rhinos. Establishing a new rhino sanctuary in Loisaba conservancy will help achieve this vision, and contribute meaningfully to the Biological Management of the black rhino (D.b. michaeli) as Kenya strives to achieve the goal of a minimum population of 830 black rhinos by the end of 2021.
The reintroduction of rhinos to Loisaba not only provides habitat in order to maintain a population growth rate, but also creates an opportunity to widen the gene pool by creating a new breeding population with individuals from several different sanctuaries that have successfully reached carrying capacity.
In order to be ‘rhino ready’, we are working together with The Nature Conservancy to raise funding for the extra costs associated with providing infrastructure and monitoring for rhinos. If you would like to help us bring rhinos home to Loisaba, click here.
