Kenya translocated 21 eastern black rhinos to Segera Rhino Sanctuary from Ol-Pajeta Conservancy in Laikipia County as it intensifies conservation via decongestion and protection of the critically endangered species.

Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano presided over the translocation ceremony in Ol Pajeta on Saturday.

The cabinet secretary said that moving of the rhinos to the expansive Segera conservancy, which covers approximately 50,000 acres of land, would provide a secure ecological habitat for their breeding.

“The translocation of 21 black rhinos to Segera Conservancy is way beyond a conservation milestone. It’s a bold affirmation of Kenya’s enduring commitment to securing a future of one of the world’s most iconic yet critically endangered species,” said the cabinet secretary.

Miano highlighted that the exercise was a milestone towards achieving annual rhino population increase of five per cent.

 “Segera’s current 90-kilometre square sanctuary set to soon expand to 250,000 acres mega sanctuary and will provide a secure, ecologically rich habitat for rhino breeding, this is a critical step towards achieving 5 percent annual growth target,” said the cabinet secretary.

The meticulous translocation is expected to take approximately 18 days with the first three rhinos already moved to the expansive Segera Conservancy. Miano noted that Kenya is a home to 80 per cent of the eastern black rhino population, having grown from 384 in 1989 to 1,059 last year.

“Kenya is home to 80 per cent of Africa black rhino’s population and these statistics are clear proof of decades of relentless efforts between government, conservationist and communities, yet that notwithstanding, the survival of this species remain precarious pointed out the cabinet secretary.

Kenya also host 1,041 southern white rhinos and the last two known northern white rhinos. Thee minister pointed out that poaching, habitat overcrowding endangers the status of the rhinos in the country.

The cabinet secretary revealed that the national black rhino action plan 2022-2026 was a blue print policy document for the survival of the endangered rhinos and at the same aiming to grow them to 2000 individuals by year 2037.

“This translocation directly supports that vision of increasing rhino population. By moving rhinos from Ol Pejeta, Lewa and Nakuru, all sanctuaries operating over 100 per cent of their carrying capacity, we are reducing deadly territorial fights that account for over 30 per cent of rhino’s mortalities,” said Miano.

Further the cabinet secretary noted that the translocation marked a significant milestone in reactivation of new conservation frontiers in northern Kenya.

“The event also marks a new chapter for northern Kenya traditionally viewed as a dry land frontier. This region is emerging as a vital conservation landscape. Segera ranch represent the promise and potential of northern Kenya rangelands where private land owners, local communities and conservation partners are reimagining what immense to live in harmony with nature,” said the cabinet secretary.

Segera owner and founder of ZEITZ foundation Jochen Zeits said that translocation was not only supporting increase of rhino’s population but a benefit to local communities through job creation.

“By giving the rhinos a new expansive home, we not only expect to see these numbers increase significantly in the coming years but it also benefits communities while enhancing biodiversity conservation in the incredible landscapes of central Kenya,” assured Zeits.

Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu said the translocation as conservation effort would boost tourism in the region and the country at large.

Meanwhile, before the translocation of the colossal species, they were immobilized through helicopter darting by a team of veterinarian from Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), an exercise that was meticulously executed within a countdown of 15 minutes after being spotted in an aerial view of the expansive and dense rangelands of Ol Pajeta conservancy.

The rhinos will be kept under close observation by KWS specialists to help them adapt to their new habitat.

Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano (Kenyan flag) flag off 21 eastern black rhinos in at Ol Pajeta conservancy on Saturday, May 24, 2025. They were being translocation to Segera Rhino Sanctuary, Laikipia County.

Eastern Black rhino in a translocation cage being put in a truck at Ol Pejeta conservancy on May 24, 2025, Laikipia County.

Eastern black rhino being released at the Segera rhino sanctuary in Laikipia County on May 24, 2025.

 A rhino after it was darted by a team of veterinarian from Kenya Wildlife Service. The immobilization was done before being translocated to Segera rhino sanctuary in Laikipia County on Saturday, May 24, 2025.

IMG Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano (centre) during rhino’s translocation from Ol Pajeta conservancy to Segera rhino sanctuary in Laikipia County on Saturday, May 25, 2025.

(Photos by Muturi Mwangi/KNA)