Recognition in the field: How uniforms and gear are boosting rhino conservation in Kenya

Situated on the northern foothills of Mount Kenya, the Lewa-Borana Landscape (LBL) is a 376km² joint wildlife reserve at the heart of the Laikipia-Samburu ecosystem. This vast stretch of land connects seamlessly with neighbouring pastoral rangelands, creating one of Kenya’s most important conservation areas. To the south, it borders the government-owned Mount Kenya and Ngare Ndare Forest Reserves, while to the west and north, it opens into the Il Ngwesi, Lekurruki and Lapira Community Conservancies. 

Decades of carefully designed conservation strategies have allowed many of Kenya’s iconic species to flourish within the LBL, including both the Eastern black rhino (Diceros bicornis michaeli) and the Southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum). A collaboration between Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Borana Conservancy to create the LBL has provided 93,000 acres of contiguous rhino rangeland. This vast Landscape is home to a growing population that accounts for more than 14% of Kenya’s entire black and white rhino population. 

Even here however, rhinos face immense pressure; poaching, driven by relentless demand for rhino horn, remains a constant threat. Despite decades of conservation successes, keeping these rhinos safe requires constant surveillance and significant resources. To counter these threats, the LBL has invested heavily in protection measures: equipping and training rangers, caring for highly-skilled tracker dogs, carrying out aerial surveillance, creating strong community partnerships, and improving staff welfare. 

The annual issue of smart, high-quality uniforms, provided by ForRangers funding, has a marked impact on morale, creating a sense of pride, unity, and discipline among ranger teams. Similarly, the new sleeping bags have been vital in the cold conditions faced during night-time deployments, making them exceptionally well received by the team. These resources are not only practical necessities but also serve as a tangible recognition of the teams’ hard work and commitment. Ultimately, this support has resulted in strengthened team morale and work ethic, leading to more effective protection of wildlife across the LBL and into the surrounding neighbourhoods. 

But the work is far from over. With a clear goal to bolster rhino protection and monitoring across the Landscape, the LBL is committed to keeping poaching rates below 1% of the population in 2025, while also ensuring that rhino populations expand, diversify and flourish for generations to come. 

With thanks to ForRangers and other funders, incredible progress has been made in this Landscape, transforming it into a stronghold for both black and white rhinos. During the last year, the combined rhino population across the LBL has grown, with several births recorded and few mortalities. The average inter-calving interval now stands at approximately 2.7 years for black rhinos and 2.3 years for white rhinos, clear indicators of healthy populations. Based on ongoing monitoring efforts, rangers have identified 12 black and six white rhino females that may be entering a fertile phase. As a result, they anticipate a promising year ahead, with the potential for multiple pregnancies across the population, an encouraging sign for the continued growth and stability of the rhino population on the Landscape. 

Management efforts have also played a key role in this success, with individual black rhinos from both Lewa and Borana recently translocated to Segera Rhino Sanctuary, as part of the Kenya Rhino Range Expansion project. Each individual has been ear-notched and fitted with an electronic tracking device to enable continuous post-release monitoring. This facilitates close assessment of movements and behaviour until the individuals become fully adapted to their new surroundings. In addition, an ear-notching exercise across the wider population raised identifiable rates above 70%, supported by the deployment of improved tracking ear tags. 

None of this progress would be possible without the tireless work of the Conservancy’s security team. From manning gate posts and monitoring the Operations Room to long patrols as rhino monitors, their commitment has been unwavering. The recent provision of smart new uniforms provided practical value whilst instilling a sense of pride, unity, and dedication among rangers. This boost in team spirit has translated into a stronger work ethic and ultimately, enhanced protection of the LBL’s wildlife. 

“On behalf of the General and National Police Reservist Teams on Borana Conservancy, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to ForRangers for their continued generous support towards us, buying equipment and uniforms, which is directly helping us as rangers towards improving our welfare, morale and enhancing the protection and monitoring of our wildlife. Because of you, we can successfully carry out our work and endure the cold weather with our new uniforms and sleeping bags. Your generous support has a great impact towards improving our efforts in the field. As Head of the teams, I am proud and pleased to see the cheerful faces of our rangers after receiving their new uniforms.” 

Rianto Lokoran, Head of General Security & Wildlife, Borana Conservancy