A historic rhino translocation to Segera Conservancy

Rhino translocation from Ol Pejeta to Segera Conservancy. [Jayne Rose Gacheri/Standard]

Against the backdrop of rolling savannah and towering acacias, Kenya is making a historic move in conservation - one that could redefine the future of its critically endangered rhinos.

At Segera Conservancy in Laikipia County, the government has begun the translocation of 21 eastern black rhinos, marking a significant milestone in wildlife conservation and species recovery.

The project, launched by Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, is a collaborative effort between Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the ZEITZ Foundation, with a grand vision: to create one of the largest connected rhino landscapes in the world.

"The translocation affirms Kenya’s commitment to securing the future of one of the world’s most iconic yet endangered species," said Miano.

Kenya remains a global stronghold for the eastern black rhino, hosting 80 per cent of the surviving population. Decades of conservation efforts have led to a steady increase, growing numbers from 384 rhinos in 1989 to 1,059 by the end of 2024

 However, despite this progress, rhinos remain under threat. Expanding their range is critical to reducing overcrowding in existing sanctuaries, minimising risks from habitat degradation and poaching, and ensuring long-term population growth.

"This marks a bold new era for conservation in Northern Kenya, and we are no longer confining conservation to formally protected areas. It thrives wherever land, governance, and love for wildlife converge," said Prof Erustus Kanga, Director-General of KWS.

Rebecca Miano - Cabinet Secretary - Tourism and Wildlife - during the translocation of Rhinos to Segera Conservancy. [Jayne Rose Gacheri/Standard]

The 50,000-acre Segera Conservancy is set to become a key pillar in Kenya’s long-term rhino strategy, creating a vast, contiguous wildlife corridor with nearby sanctuaries.

 The first nine translocated rhinos hail from Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a stronghold for black rhino conservation. Samuel Mutisya, Head of Research at Ol Pejeta, emphasised the importance of range expansion:

 "We are not just moving rhinos, we are planting the seed for a new population to thrive in a secure and well-managed landscape," he noted.

 For conservation to succeed, local communities must benefit. The Segera Rhino Sanctuary is designed to enhance biodiversity while delivering employment, education, and economic opportunities - job creation through ranger programs, conservation roles, and tourism expansion, capacity-building initiatives to equip locals with wildlife protection skills, and conservation economies that generate sustainable income for nearby communities.

 "Giving rhinos a new home is not just about species survival. It is about ensuring that communities flourish alongside wildlife," said Jochen Zeitz, founder of the ZEITZ Foundation.

 The 18-day translocation process is being carefully managed by KWS specialists, ensuring the rhinos adapt safely to their new home. “Enhanced security measures will safeguard both the rhinos and the broader Segera ecosystem, preventing poaching and human-wildlife conflict,” said Miano

 This initiative directly supports Kenya’s long-term national rhino conservation goal, targeting 2,000 black rhinos by 2037.

 Kenya’s rhino translocation is more than just a logistical operation. It is a bold step toward ensuring that one of Africa’s most endangered species thrives in a changing world.

 "Recovery isn’t about keeping rhinos where they are—it’s about shaping a future where they roam free, expand their range, and strengthen ecosystems for generations to come," said Miano.