This archive report was first published on 20 December 2019.
Laikipia County's Ol Pejeta Conservancy has made history by recording zero rhino poaching for the second consecutive year, a testament to the conservancy's dedication to protecting these endangered species.
According to Richard Vigne, the conservancy's Chief Executive Officer, no incidents of poaching have been witnessed this year, despite the continued threat from poachers and the unrelenting demand for rhino horn on the black market.
“Ol Pejeta is proud to report zero incidents in poaching, despite the continued threat from the poachers and unrelenting demand for the horn on the black market,” the CEO said in a press statement.
While the conservancy has achieved this remarkable feat, it has not been without its challenges. The conservancy lost seven rhinos through predation and one through natural causes during the year.
Ol Pejeta is home to 132 Black, 35 southern white, and the last two remaining northern white rhinos in the world, a total of 169 rhinos. The conservancy has a proven track record of success in rhino population growth.
However, the conservancy was saddened by the loss of two chimpanzees through bacterial pneumonia at the beginning of the year. Despite the veterinary team's best efforts, sisters Angela and Ajabu died after an outbreak of pneumonia at the Sweetwater's Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
