Endangered Species Boma
A visit to the endangered species boma on Ol Pejeta is not to be missed! In 2009 Ol Pejeta Conservancy welcomed four of the world's last remaining seven northern white rhinos from the Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic. They now live in the 700-acre Endangered Species Enclosure, along with small populations of Grevy's zebra and Jackson's hertebeest. Here, visitors have a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the four rhino up close and personal and to hear their amazing story. All proceeds for the Endangered Species Enclosure are reinvested into the continuing efforts to pull the species back from the verge of extinction.
This activity is available twice daily from the Morani Information Centre at 08:30 and 16:00, and can be booked directly through your accommodation provider. It is also available for people visiting the conservancy on day trips.
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More on the Northern White Rhinos
The northern white rhinos on Ol Pejeta were translocated from the Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic on December 20th, 2009. The transfer was 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 on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy will provide them with higher chances of starting a population in what is seen as the very last lifeline for the species. Until then, they continue to move from strength to strength each day here at their new home, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
More on Grevy's Zebras
Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) are categorized as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Current global population estimates are between 1,964 and 2,445. In Kenya alone, the population estimates are between 1,838 and 2,319. The Laikipia-Samburu ecosystem remains a vital area in the conservation of this species in Kenya. On Ol Pejeta, the Grevy’s zebra population has remained constant since the early 1990’s given the level of predation pressure in the Conservancy, coupled with a small population size. As such, the Conservancy’s Grevy’s zebra population was considered non-viable and unlikely to increase. It was for this reason that from 3-10 March 2011, Ol Pejeta’s Wildlife Management Department in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Service moved eight Grevy’s zebras to the endangered species enclosure in order to consolidate the population and increase chances of breeding.
On 17th September, 2012, in order to increase the Grevy’s zebra population and create a viable breeding population, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in collaboration with Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Kenya Wildlfe Service translocated Grevy’s zebras from Lewa to Ol Pejeta. The Grevy’s zebras were released into the endangered species enclosure, bringing the total number in the boma to 15 (12 adult females and 3 foals).
More on Jackson's Hartebeest
Jackson’s Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus lelwel) are classified as Lower Risk: Conservation Dependent on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. They have small and mostly declining populations. The total population of Jackson’s hartebeest is unknown but in Laikipia their numbers are estimated at between 700-1000 individuals of which the Ol Pejeta Conservancy contains an estimated 188 individuals (27%). Predation by lions and spotted hyenas is thought to be the biggest factor causing the decline of the Ol Pejeta hartebeest population. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy aims to monitor the population to establish the predation pressure on hartebeest, and to enhance their breeding performance through establishment of a viable population within the same predator-free enclosure as the Grevy’s zebras.