Lewa, Borana in joint plan to fight poachers

What you need to know:

  • Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Borana Conservancy Thursday said they had already initiated mechanisms to improve security.
  • Last month, the two conservancies started removing a six-kilometre fence separating them to form a 93,000-acre landscape, forming the largest rhino sanctuary in the country.
  • Mr Watson said Lewa had reached its black rhino carrying capacity, with some bulls already fighting for space and others being pushed into previously uninhabited territories by young males.

Two wildlife conservancies in northern Kenya have launched a joint security operation to combat poaching within their jurisdictions.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Borana Conservancy Thursday said they had already initiated mechanisms to improve security.

Lewa chief executive Mike Watson said the operation would include coordinated deployment of anti-poaching units, sharing of a secure digital radio communication network and maintenance of a single black rhino database known as Kifaru.

Last month, the two conservancies started removing a six-kilometre fence separating them to form a 93,000-acre landscape, forming the largest rhino sanctuary in the country.

“This partnership between Lewa and Borana is the first of its kind in Kenya,” said Mr Watson.

The two areas currently have a combined black rhino population of 87, with Lewa Wildlife Conservancy also being home to 63 white rhinos.
Mr Watson said Lewa had reached its black rhino carrying capacity, with some bulls already fighting for space and others being pushed into previously uninhabited territories by young males.

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“It has become increasingly apparent that the future of Lewa’s rhino relies heavily on our ability to afford them more space by removing the fence separating the conservancy and our western neighbour Borana,” he said.

He said Borana is a prime black rhino habitat consisting of thick shrubbery, rugged terrain and plenty of natural resources.

“We hope that it will also ease the pressure exerted on the ecosystem by mega herbivores, particularly the elephants and giraffes, as other wildlife from both areas will also gain from a greater pool of available natural resources like water and pasture,” he said.