A Changing Climate, A Constant Mission
Here on Borana Conservancy in northern Kenya, rhino conservation is a year round commitment. With both black and white rhinos roaming freely across our protected landscapes, we’ve come to understand how closely their survival is tied to the rhythms of nature.
Unlike many mammals, rhinos can’t sweat. Their thick skin means they rely on external elements to cool down, shade of a trees, mud wallows and watering holes are essential. But climate change is disrupting this delicate balance. Prolonged droughts and growing pressure on natural resources due to expanding human populations have made these survival tools harder to find.
To meet these challenges, we work year round to maintain a healthy ecosystem and a resilient landscape, using carefully managed cattle grazing as a tool for land restoration and installing water holes in key rhino habitats where natural sources are limited.
White Rhino Maina on Borana Conservancy
New Beginnings: A June to Remember
While rhinos don’t follow a strict breeding season, their reproductive cycles are long. A female rhino is pregnant for 15 - 16 months and typically gives birth to a single calf. These calves stay with their mothers for several years before becoming independent, a slow but crucial process that ensures survival.
In June alone, we welcomed four new calves on Borana, two black and two white. These births are a great victory for us and a powerful symbol of progress and hope for the future.
White Rhino Njoki with her second calf
Part of a Bigger Plan
Borana plays an active role in Kenya’s National Rhino Recovery and Action Plan which aims to grow black rhino numbers by 5% annually and reach a population of 2,000 individuals by 2026. Our contributions include:
- Translocations: We’ve supported the successful translocation of rhino to new secure areas like Segera and Loisaba, ensuring healthy population distribution.
- 24/7 Anti-Poaching Patrols: Our dedicated rangers help maintain poaching rates below 1%, making Borana one of the safest places for rhinos in Africa.
- Biological Monitoring: Our team tracks rhino health, density, and movement across the landscape daily.
- Community Engagement: We work with our neighbours and local communities to build understanding and long-term support for conservation efforts.
School children at our Environmental Centre known as Mazingira
More Than Just Rhino
Rhinos are only part of the story.
Borana is also home to the Big Five, a high density of grazing mammals, over 400 bird species, and an extraordinary range of reptiles and other wildlife. Protecting one key-stone species helps protect them all.
Want to learn more about our biodiversity work? Explore our conservation stories here.
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