A ninth critically endangered black rhino has died after being moved from Kenya’s capital to a new wildlife park.
A statement on Tuesday from the ministry of tourism and wildlife notes the latest death.
The others were announced on Friday.
Earlier this afternoon I visited the newly established Tsavo East National park Rhino sanctuary to get an update on the death of the 9 black rhinos recently translocated. pic.twitter.com/hHKekyMYTm
— Najib Balala (@tunajibu) July 17, 2018
The ministry says preliminary investigations point to salt poisoning as the rhinos tried to adapt to saltier water in their new home.
Minister Najib Balala has said just two of the 11 rhinos transported last month are still alive.
I am glad to annouce that we have in safe custody and account all 18 Rhino horns from the 9 dead rhinos, equiped with transmitters and chips. @kwskenya will avail to the media and any interested parties an oppprtunity to view & verify the horns on 19/07/2018 @ KWS Hqs, Nairobi pic.twitter.com/szxJFAcOTF
— Najib Balala (@tunajibu) July 17, 2018
The ministry has suspended the ongoing move of rhinos from Nairobi and said the surviving ones in the new park are being closely monitored.
Transporting wildlife is a conservation strategy used to help build up animal populations.
Kenya says it transported 149 rhinos between 2005 and 2017 with just eight deaths.
