Safeguarding Ol Pejeta's Rhino Populations

It has been a busy year for Ol Pejeta and one of the hardest in living memory due to the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic.

Your support is truly inspiring and has enabled us to continue our vital work on the ground, ensuring our rhinos remain protected.

Since our last Emergency Appeal update in mid-August, you have helped us raise an incredible $60,312 to continue safeguarding our rhino populations. Thank you from everyone here on Ol Pejeta.

Kenya conserves 75% of the Critically Endangered eastern black rhino. In the early 1970s the population stood at approximately 20,000 but a rapid decline, driven by industrial-scale poaching, saw this number reduce to approximately 350 by the late 1980s. Our anti-poaching operation is highly successful, evidenced by zero poaching during the last four years. Our state-of-the-art technology lab, combined with our world-class veterinary support, K9 Unit and skilled ranger team have enabled us to successfully grow our black rhino population from 20 to almost 150 in three decades. Sadly, the threat of poaching is once-again increasing, and we must remain ever vigilant to protect our precious rhinos.

Our internationally recognized rhino conservation program also helps to conserve other endangered or vulnerable species such as African wild dog, cheetah, lion, hippo, Beisa oryx, Grevy’s zebra and the locally threatened Jackson’s Hartebeest.

Covid-19 is by far the biggest challenge we have ever had to face. The constant change to international travel restrictions continues to have a devastating impact on our tourism revenue. As a result, we remain almost entirely dependent on the generous support of our donors and partners. With the Omicron variant now taking hold across the world, our future is again becoming increasingly uncertain.

Despite the ruinous impact of the global pandemic, we have been humbled by the profound support of our generous donors like yourself. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Best wishes,

Ol Pejeta Conservancy