In this 90,000-acre (36,000-hectare) conservancy, the animals are protected from their biggest threat: poaching.
“The black rhino, in this country, continues to face serious challenges, (the) majority being threat from rhino poaching, lack of secure habitats that are necessary to reintroduce rhino populations that are growing within the areas that (where) we currently have sanctuaries,” says Samuel Mutisya, head of research and species conservation at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, which claims to be the largest black rhino sanctuary in East and Central Africa.
Historically, early settlers in eastern and southern Africa hunted rhinos for sport and sustenance.
Nowadays, the demand for rhino horn predominantly emanates from Asia and the Middle East, where it’s falsely believed to possess medicinal properties, or is used for ornamental dagger handles.
Source : Africa News