The European Association of Zoo and Aquarium EAZA has donated rhino monitoring equipment worth Kshs 2.1 million to the rhino monitoring and surveillance staff in eight rhino conservation areas.

The equipment which includes 40 binoculars, 39 Global Positioning System (GPS) and 7 digital cameras all with their accessories were received by the Nairobi National Park Senior Warden Mr. Michael Wanjau on behalf of other rhino conservation areas and in the presence of rhino monitoring and surveillance staff of Nairobi, Tsavo West and Meru National Parks.

While handing over the equipment, Mr Patrick Omondi, the Senior Assistant Director Species Conservation thanked EAZA on behalf of KWS for its support to rhino conservation. He urged the rhino monitoring staff to embrace GPS as the new technology which will effectively link science, rhino monitoring, security patrol and wildlife patrol.

Mr Omondi also revealed that the world appreciates the data on conservation of rhinos since they are endangered species. He therefore challenged the team to keep their information as accurate and consistent as possible, sentiments that were echoed by the National Rhino Coordinator, Mr. Ben Okita who further asked the rhino monitoring team to take good care of the equipment.

The handing over of the equipment took place at the Nairobi National Park and the equipment was later disbursed to the other seven rhino conservation areas, i.e. Lake Nakuru National Park, Ngulia rhino sanctuary, Tsavo West National Park, Intensive Protection Zone, Tsavo East, Meru, Aberdare and Chyullu Hills National Parks.

The donation followed a successful proposal by the rhino program. Their efforts to fundraise were commended by Senior Warden of Nairobi National Park, Mr. Wanjau who urged the group to explore other diverse ways to attract more donations.

At the height of poaching in the seventies and eighties, Kenya’s rhino population was reduced by 90% to stand at less than 350 in early 1990s. Recently, KWS launched a countrywide black rhino management strategy to boost the black rhino population that now stands at about 570. The strategy aims to conserve a metapopulation of 700 black rhinos by 2011 in Kenya.