Kenya Wildlife Service begins historic 15-day tagging exercise for over 100 Black Rhinos, following birth of rare calf

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has embarked on a landmark conservation operation, targeting more than 100 endangered black rhinos in Tsavo West National Park. The 15-day exercise, the largest of its kind in Kenya’s history, involves fitting rhinos with Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) eartags and Very High Frequency (VHF) transmitters to enhance monitoring, security, and data accuracy.

The operation, led by Dr Isaac Lekolool, Senior Assistant Director at KWS, is part of the Kenya Rhino Range Expansion (KRRE) initiative. Tagged rhinos are temporarily marked with paint for visibility and to prevent double tagging.

KWS noted that the exercise demonstrates its technical and logistical capacity in large-scale wildlife management, contributing to species recovery, sustainable conservation, and strengthened ecological resilience. The initiative comes just days after a rare black rhino calf was spotted in Chyulu Hills National Park, signaling the gradual restoration of this critically endangered species.

Through this intervention, KWS continues to lead in science-based conservation, ensuring the survival of Kenya’s iconic black rhinos while supporting community livelihoods across the region.