Rhino population in Kenya rise by 11 percent.

By Samuel Ouma

Kenya has recorded a surge in the Rhino population thanks to the continuous decline in poaching incidents, announced the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and partners like the IFAW had laid down measures to protect the highly sought animals for their horns.

For example, in 2015, Kenya Wildlife Service put in place a forensic laboratory with a genetic database of rhino and elephant DNA and a monitoring system.

The laboratory’s task is to obtain critical data, which enables scientists to track endangered species.

To aid in the prosecution of wildlife crimes against rhinos and elephants, KWS Law Enforcement Academy incorporated into its curriculum the training of wildlife rangers in forensic investigations.

In a statement on Monday, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Regional Director for East Africa James Isiche said the rhino numbers in the East African nation have risen from  1,441 in 2019 to 1,605 in 2020.

Isiche noted that for the first time in a long time had no rhinos die due to poaching.

“We congratulate all wildlife security partners and agencies for this major achievement in fighting wildlife crime and keeping Kenya’s rhinos safe,” he stated.

“The last eight years have seen a continuous decline in Rhino poaching incidences, which is a testament of the measures put in place to safeguard rhinos. IFAW is glad to have a long-standing partnership with KWS and once again wish to commend the staff that put their lives in harm’s way just to ensure that Kenya’s wildlife heritage is preserved,” Isiche added.