Kenya has reported the sighting of a week-old black rhino calf at Sera Community Rhino Sanctuary in Samburu County, bringing the total number of this endangered species on record to 23. In a statement by the Kenya Wildlife Service, the calf was spotted by the agency's Wamba Platoon team together with Sera rhino monitors. 

“We are thrilled to share the news of a new black rhino calf born at Sera Community Rhino Sanctuary. The Kenya Wildlife Service Wamba Platoon team, together with Sera rhino monitors, sighted the proud mother and her healthy male calf a few days ago. Every birth is a victory for conservation — together, we are securing the future of this iconic species!,” noted KWS.

Another black rhino was born at Loisaba Conservancy, a month after the translocation initiative carried out in October last year.

KWS noted that Kibou, an eight-year-old black rhino originally from Ol Pejeta Conservancy, gave birth to her first calf on October 16, 2024.

Kenya's black rhino current population is approximately 1,004. This is a recovery from the drastic decline in numbers as witnessed between the late 1970s and mid-1980s, when their population dropped to fewer than 300, from about 20,000, due to poaching for their horns and habitat loss. 

The current population is attributed to the success of KWS's intensive conservation efforts, including habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and translocation programmes. ​Consequently, it took over twenty years of consistency but Kenya now hosts the third-largest rhino population in Africa, following South Africa and Namibia.

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