Black rhinos released into African wild

by Amy Judd | October 3, 2008 at 01:18 pm

504 views | 5 Recommendations | 13 comments

Black rhinos have been released back into the wild in Kenya. They were captive-bred and this is the first time it has happened in 25 years.

It is an important landmark for African wildlife conservation.

Poaching and habitat loss have affected these creatures' numbers, even though they were once common in Africa.

In particular, Kenya has suffered huge losses, with numbers plummeting from an estimated 20,000 in the 1970s to some 500 today.

Those that remained were confined to sanctuaries.

The Kenya Wildlife Service has been working with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) to revive rhino numbers. And now they are confident enough to begin releasing these animals back into the wild.

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BWJ

at 14:06 on October 3rd, 2008

I took this photo while I was traveling from Nairobi to West Pokot in Kenya. After stopping for the night in Nakuru, we took a detour and drove around the Lake. The area surrounding Lake Nakuru is a protected reserve and the wildlife is thriving. I'm not sure about the history of the rhinos I saw, but I came across five of them.

This one made me a little nervous when he turned to look at our vehicle. It was only about 50 yards away from us when we passed.

BWJ

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Mr. Chips1

at 16:21 on October 3rd, 2008

This photo was taken at the Saint Louis Zoo during my visit there on Labor Day. I was trying to tell a story about different
animial behavior. This photo is one of five and I will share the
others with you on the Black rhino. Thanks for your interest.

Mr. Chips1 has contributed a photo to this story.

Barry Artiste

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 20:40 on October 3rd, 2008

amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.

margauxrainbaux

at 01:09 on October 4th, 2008

this picture was taking in one of the National Park that i visited during my safaris in october 2008 in Kenya and Tanzania near the Hell National Park

margauxrainbaux has contributed a photo to this story.

Ctownrocks1

at 11:53 on October 4th, 2008

These photos were taken at the Cleveland Zoo during the 08' summer. The baby Rhino was just born at the Cleveland Zoo over the summer as well.

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moneill77

at 16:03 on October 4th, 2008

Taken at Brookfield Zoo, in Chicago.

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rcsjackson

at 02:01 on October 5th, 2008

This was taken near Rhino Ridge in the Masai Mara in 2005. There were a family of three rhinos.

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arvin1975

at 07:20 on October 5th, 2008

this black rhino in Ngorongoro National Park, Tanzania is one of only thirteen rhinos in the park.

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gandalfirl

at 14:13 on October 5th, 2008

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andy_f.

at 00:24 on October 6th, 2008

This picture is one of two Black Rhinos that crossed our path whilst exploring the southern most parts of Kruger National Park. We were returning from a fruitless trip to Hippo Pool on the S27 near Crocodile Bridge when two of these majestic beasts crossed our path. A privilege to get so close to such a shy creature.

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ClemChazVacs

at 11:06 on October 8th, 2008

We were on a safari in South Africa, when we saw this male black rhino (it was the only one of the game reserve!!).
The ranger told us it was extremly rare to see it!
The rhino started going away! To draw its attention, the ranger started cracking branches and immitating a baby rhino's sounds! At first, the rhino was distrustful. But then it approched the car and i could take this great picutre!
That was an amazing experience!

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Jonosay

at 19:06 on October 9th, 2008

This Black Rhino is at the Racine Zoo and this was taken during a Boy Scout outing/Sleepover at the zoo. Later that evening we were able to go behind the scenes at the zoo and feed her. Their lips are surprisingly soft and although I am sure she has been domesticated a bit being in a zoo, she was also very gentle, and only slobbered on a few of us.

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