Estate Gifts Help Safeguard Kenya's Black Rhinos

rhinoIn Kenya's Laikipia District, between Mt. Kenya and the Aberdares mountain range, sits Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The 90,000-acre wildlife conservancy is part of a rich ecosystem, with vulnerable species like elephant, Grevy's zebra and African wild dog living inside the conservancy's borders. Ol Pejeta is also the largest black rhino sanctuary in all of East Africa.

Ol Pejeta's rhinos have not been immune to the continent's poaching crisis—but thanks to legacy gifts from the estates of caring friends like you, AWF was able to assist the conservancy in better protecting its rhino population. AWF's Urgent Response Fund (URF) allowed Ol Pejeta to procure much-needed communications equipment and bolster its rangers' skills. The URF is largely funded with estate gifts.

The conservancy is already seeing the positive effects of the grant and other support. For example, three new motorbikes have been acquired, enhancing patrol mobility. Rangers have been able to record more frequent sightings of each individual rhino and conduct regular night patrols along the conservancy's fenced boundaries. Staff note this improved surveillance has been instrumental in reducing the threat of poachers entering the protected area.

AWF support has also allowed Ol Pejeta to improve its patrol camps and ecological monitoring systems. To strengthen communication in the field, solar lighting and charging systems have been installed throughout the conservancy, providing reliable light and phone-charging capabilities to 30 rhino patrol camps. A geographic information systems lab has further been made operational. The lab has improved data collection from patrols, allowing for better monitoring of Ol Pejeta's rhino population.

These anti-poaching efforts have made a noticeable difference for Ol Pejeta. The conservancy's rhino population has grown, and the conservancy remains a source of optimism when it comes to the survival of Africa's rhinos.

How you can help protect vulnerable wildlife
To learn about all the ways you can give to AWF to protect Africa's wildlife and wild lands, please contact the Legacy Giving Team, our Legacy Giving Officer, at legacygifts@awf.org or 202 939 3333.

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