‘Disaster’ as eight black rhinos die in park blunder

EIGHT critically endangered black rhinos died after they were moved from one Kenyan national park to another.

The cause of death appears to be poisoning from the saltier water in their new habitat. Three surviving rhinos are being closely monitored at Tsavo East National Park. The wildlife ministry threatened disciplinary action if an investigation finds negligence.

Paula Kahumbu, a prominent Kenyan conservationist, said losing the rhinos was a disaster.

‘Moving rhinos is complicated, akin to moving gold bullion, it requires extremely careful planning and security due to the value of these rare animals,’ she said.

‘Rhino translocations also have major welfare considerations and I dread to think of the suffering that these poor animals endured.’

The black rhino sub-species is targeted by poachers who sell their horns to supply an illegal trade in Asia. Between 1960 and 1995 numbers dropped by 98 per cent, to fewer than 2,500. Since then the species has rebounded to around 5,500.

The rhinos were moved in an attempt to boost their population in a fenced-off park.