The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is now home to four of the world’s last eight surviving northern white rhinoceros(Ceratotherium simum cottoni).

The four, two females and two males, have been flown from the Dvur Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic on the 19th of December 2009 and arrived on Ol Pejeta on the 20th. The transfer is aimed at providing the rhinos with the most favourable breeding conditions in an attempt to pull the species back from the verge of extinction. It is thought that the climatic, dietary and security conditions that the rhinos will enjoy at Ol Pejeta will provide them with higher chances of starting a population in what is seen as the very last lifeline for the species.

The transfer marks the beginning of the "Last Chance to Survive", a project by the joint efforts of the Dvur Králové Zoo, Fauna and Flora International, Back to Africa, the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The whole story was filmed by the BBC with Stephen Fry and Mark Cowardine, for their series "Last Chance to See..." and both Stephen and Mark stayed at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp during filming.

Currently listed as the most critically endangered rhino subspecies and the most endangered mammal species in the world, the northern white rhinos used to range over parts of Uganda, Chad, Sudan, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. By 1960 more than 2,000 northern white rhinos still existed, but excessive hunting for their horn, hide and meat has caused extreme depletion of their numbers.

Until recently, the only known wild northern white rhino population was clinging to survival in Garamba National Park in North-East Democratic Republic of Congo, but continued civil war and armed conflict in the area have caused devastating consequences to the wildlife and the people assigned to protect it. In recent decades the Garamba population did manage to increase to about 30 animals, but then crashed to 4 individuals in 2005. There was a brief opportunity to translocate some of these animals to a secure conservation area before this crash, but the initiative failed. Sadly, there has been no sign of the four individuals since 2007 and it is thought that the wild population may now be extinct. Thus the focus now shifted to the last remaining option involving the few northern white rhinos held in captivity.

Among the eight surviving northern white rhinos held in captivity are six individuals held in Dvur Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic, out of whom only four, the ones transferred to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, are in good breeding condition; Sudan, a 32 year old male; Suni, an 18 year old male; Najin, an 18 year old female who is Sudan’s daughter; and Fatu, an 8 year old female, remain the species’ very last hope of survival.

Being home to over 80 black rhinos and several southern white rhinos, Ol Pejeta, which is now Africa’s largest Rhino Sanctuary, has been assessed to be the best possible location for the northern white rhino's breeding project. Besides its proximity to the northern white rhinos' environmental stronghold, Ol Pejeta also offers well qualified and experienced staff to care for these species. The rhinos will be fitted with radio transmitters in their horns to optimize security and monitoring.

Please email us about coming to stay at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it