26 February 2024

Press Release

For immediate release

Kenya’s black rhinos make ‘unimaginable’ comeback as numbers reach 1,000 milestone

The iconic rhino species was nearly extinct in Kenya with fewer than 400 individuals left in the 1980s.
Rhino poaching is still a significant threat across Africa, particularly in South Africa.
Kenya’s long-term vision to reach 2,000 black rhinos by 2037 is on track.

Kenya’s black rhino population has more than doubled – from fewer than 400 in the 1980s to over 1,000 today – according to new figures from the Kenya Wildlife Service.

The iconic species has faced relentless threats to their survival from poaching, habitat loss and increased frequency of droughts driven by climate change and is classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Yet the incredible rise in numbers in recent years shows the huge success of ongoing conservation efforts in the area, with Kenya now halfway to its goal of 2,000 black rhinos by 2037.

WWF has supported black rhino conservation in Kenya since the early 1960s and has supported the development of Kenya’s Black Rhino Action Plan for 2022-26, which will continue to guide conservation efforts in the coming years.

Tanya Smith, senior programme advisor (Africa), at WWF-UK, said:

“It is heartening that, thanks to conservation efforts over many years, black rhino numbers are continuing to rise in Kenya thanks to people, communities and organisations coming together to help bring this wonderful species back to life. However, their future is still not assured, and black rhinos remain critically endangered across Africa.

“Rhinos play a crucial role in their environment, as their grazing and browsing helps to maintain a healthy balance of shrub and grass cover benefitting other wildlife. They also support wildlife tourism which generates much-needed income opportunities for local communities. By helping to protect the rhino, we can safeguard its environment for the benefit of both people and wildlife for generations to come.”  

However more space is desperately needed if Kenya’s rhino population is to continue to thrive. A lack of secure and suitable habitat - urgently needed to expand rhino range and reduce pressure on overwhelmed sanctuaries – remains a challenge.

Adopting a rhino through WWF-UK helps to fund rhino conservation efforts and our work to stop the illegal trade in rhino horn but also funds our other vital work around the world.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Most wild African rhinos are now found in just four countries: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya.  
Kenya is home to 80% of the eastern subspecies of the black rhino, distributed among eight national parks, one national reserve (Maasai Mara), one community sanctuary (Sera) and five private sanctuaries. 
Black rhinos are classified as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List. They are the smaller of the two African rhino species and are also called the hook-lipped rhino due to their pointed upper lip. They were once found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of the Congo Basin, but are now limited to protected areas in the east and south of the continent.  
Since the early 1960s, WWF has supported black rhino conservation in the country. WWF supported the development of Kenya’s current Black Rhino Action Plan for 2022-26, which will continue to guide black rhino conservation efforts over the coming years. Adopting a rhino through WWF-UK helps to fund rhino conservation efforts and our work to stop the illegal trade in rhino horn but also funds our other vital work around the world.