Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has launched the largest-ever black rhino tagging exercise in the country’s conservation history. The 15-day operation, taking place at Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary in Tsavo West National Park, aims to enhance monitoring, security, and scientific data on the endangered species.
Under the Kenya Rhino Range Expansion (KRRE) initiative, KWS will fit black rhinos with advanced Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) eartags and Very High Frequency (VHF) transmitters. These tools will allow rangers and researchers to track rhino movements more efficiently and improve overall protection strategies against poaching.
“This is the largest single exercise of its kind in Kenya’s conservation history,” said KWS. The operation is being led by Dr. Isaac Lekolool, Senior Assistant Director at KWS, highlighting the service’s growing technical and logistical capacity in large-scale wildlife conservation initiatives.
During the exercise, rhinos are also marked with paint on their backs to prevent double tagging and increase visibility for monitoring. The tagging operation aligns with KWS’s broader mission to support sustainable species recovery and strengthen Kenya’s ecological resilience while benefiting local communities.
The initiative comes shortly after the rare birth of a black rhino calf at Chyulu Hills National Park, confirming slow but steady restoration of the Eastern black rhino population. The calf was discovered by the Big Life Foundation through trail cameras months after the mother had gone into hiding to nest. This addition brings the park’s black rhino population to nine, a significant milestone given the area once hosted the densest black rhino population in East Africa.
Through initiatives like this, KWS continues to assert its leadership in science-based conservation and wildlife management. By combining advanced technology with hands-on conservation practices, Kenya is setting a benchmark for protecting endangered species and ensuring their long-term survival
