The Kenyan government is dealing with the devastating news that eight black rhinos died after they were moved to a new habitat in a bid to save the endangered species.
According to Capital Fm, the animals died under unclear circumstances and an investigation into the issue has been launched.
The minister for tourism, Najib Balala, announced that experts will be brought in to investigate the matter.
We have invited various independent parties to carry out investigations including Prof. Gathumbi, a Senior Veterinary Pathologist from University of Nairobi & Dr. Markus Hoffmeyer, a Wildlife Conservationist, Rhino Veterinarian & translocation expert from South Africa.
— Najib Balala (@tunajibu) July 13, 2018
An initial investigation by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) indicated the eight rhinos died of salt poisoning after drinking water at the new habitat. The translocation of the rhinos has since been stopped.
Fourteen black rhinos, eight from Nairobi National Park and six from Lake Nakuru National Park, were relocated to the Tsavo East National Park. The move was one of the ways to ensure that the endangered species was safe and their habitat was secure.
Although the number of the rhinos had increased in the past two years because of the concerted effort between the government and conservation partners including communities and private landowners.
Kenyans are now taking the government to task over the mishap. Kenyan conservationist Paula Kahumbu called out the government to explain what happened to the public.
“Rhinos have died, we have to say it openly when it happens, not a week later or a month later. Something must have gone wrong, and we want to know what it is,” she said.
Other Kenyans have expressed their sadness, anger and disappointment at how the issue was handled.
hoodwink. This is modern poaching
— Déported Palmer?????? (@Kenyan_Deportee) July 14, 2018
Will we get a better report other than the salt poisoning narrative? @tunajibu
— Dalvis T (@davidtheaka) July 14, 2018
Should have never been moved in the first place. Your responsible for their deaths and loose of our national heritage among the Big Five. Don’t move the animals but come up with better ways to protect them within their own natural environments.
— Mr. Bhavin Koria (@koria_mr) July 14, 2018
1% of Kenya’s endangered Black Rhino population wiped out due to incompetence. Utter disaster!#blackrhino @kwskenya #translocation @HelpingRhinos
— TᖇᗩᐯEᒪᒪIᑎG TᗯITS (@traveller_mail) July 13, 2018
Resign the only option.Why did you relocate the Rhinos?
— kevo (@kakayoung01) July 13, 2018
Death probably related to the anaesthesia. You remember the constipation they suffered in 2015 after the same thing was done to the animals. 3 rhinos died then. You halted the transfers of the animals then. Learn from past mistakes Sir.
— HASSAN ABDUB SALESA (@hassansalesa) July 14, 2018
How do you just translocate them without carrying any study on their new habitat
— Malonza Maleve (@malevemalonza) July 13, 2018
Kindly step aside my fren… it’s time for President @UKenyatta not to entertain such fellows in his government. This r the guys who r a roadblocks to ur big4 agendas
— mahmudabdikadir (@Mheshmohaa) July 13, 2018
