Rare Rhinos get Relocated


Quarter 3 Article 2




Rare Rhinos Relocated from Czech Republic to Kenya


http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/40876


Published on December 29th 2009 by the Environmental News Network




Miller Chapters - 11


Area Covered - Czech Republic and Kenya




The northern white rhinoceros is now one of the most endangered and rare animals. There are only eight known northern white's left and 4 of them ( 2 male and 2 female) were packed up and shipped to Kenya from the Czech Republic. Scientists hope that in Kenya they will be able to breed more rhinos. The Back of Africa program helps direct animals from zoo's back into the wild, this is what they hope to do with the northern white's as soon as they have become more populated. The rhinos went to Ol Pejeta Conservancy near Mount Kenya, scientists hope that this new climate and terrain will encourage them to breed. Many rhino conservation programs refused this project because it costs in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and they feared that the rhinos would die on their journey. Northern whites tend to breed very poorly when in captivating areas so the rhinos in Kenya will be released in a 1,000 acre fenced off area.


I think this has to be done in order to increase the population of northern white rhinos. There are only 8 rhinos left so something has to happen. It was a very risky move considering that the rhinos could have possibly died during the trip, but they didn't so now they have to produce. This move should help, they can feel more relaxed and do what they need to do.




Ol Pejeta Conservancy - a 9,000 acre non profit wildlife conservancy in central Kenya. Holds black rhinos, apes and other African animals