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Deaths of 8 Rare Rhinos in Kenya Is ‘Major Step Back’
The animals died from salt poisoning after being moved between sanctuaries in Kenya, a “devastating” blow to the species, experts say.
The deaths of eight critically endangered black rhinos during a failed translocation effort in Kenya undermines many years of conservation efforts, experts say.
The animals, which were moved from Nairobi National Park and Nakuru National Park to a sanctuary in Tsavo East National Park, died due to salt poisoning, according to Kenya Wildlife Service veterinarians.
The park’s water supply has significantly higher levels of salt than the rhinos were used to, and eight of the 11 translocated rhinos died shortly after drinking it, according to a statement issued by Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.
National Geographic explorer Paula Kahumbu, CEO of the organization WildlifeDirect, calls the deaths “a major conservation tragedy, not just for Kenya
