Kenya: looking for the last northern white rhinos

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Text by: RFI Follow

In Kenya, the Bio Rescue project is a unique program in the world that brings together scientists based in Kenya and in Europe to save the northern white rhinos.

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Report to Ol Pejeta, from our correspondent Sébastien Németh

This animal species was once present in Chad, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and even in Uganda. Today, she is on the brink of extinction. Two years ago, the last male, Sudan, died in Kenya . Only two females remain, Najin and Fatu, living in the Ol Pejeta reserve, north of Nairobi.

The breath of Najin lying near his daughter Fatu is powerful. The two females represent the last hope for survival of the northern white rhino. Their caretakers, like Zacharia Mutai, are therefore very caring: “ It's like a second part of our families. We know them very well. We make sure they are in good health and we take good care of them. It is sad to know that these are the last two specimens. We don't want them to go away . ”

Given the rarity of these animals, security measures are reinforced. Forty-two police reservists patrol the park's 350 km2 day and night.

“ The police headquarters is in the enclosure of the rhinos who are monitored 24 hours a day. We can follow the position of the walkie talkies of teams that have night vision devices and that of the heat detectors. Because of poaching, we speak to the inhabitants to obtain information, ”explains Emilio Gichuki, radio operator.

Najin and Fatu cannot have children. Thanks to the Bio Rescue program, techniques unique in the world have nevertheless made it possible to obtain three embryos. Park veterinarian Stephen Ngulu therefore closely monitors their health: “ I do a weekly check up. I watch their movements, their skin, I check if there are any injuries… We don't do it at such a level for the other animals ”.

Scientists still want to collect as many eggs as possible. Each action of Najin and Fatu is therefore monitored like milk on fire, their behavior, their intestinal transit…

► Also read: "Kenya: death of Daphne Sheldrick, the protector of orphaned baby elephants"

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