Rhino Protection Programme

By 1982, rhino had been illegally poached to the brink of extinction for its horn. By 1984, there were only 11 black rhino remaining on the Masai Mara National Reserve and FOC responded to this urgent problem by introducing a rhino monitoring and protection programme to the area.

Run in conjunction with the two councils that managed the Reserve, the programme included a full time Project Manager, as well as funding for Reserve rangers, communications equipment, four-wheel drive vehicles, a maintenance workshop and other necessary equipment.. Teams of rangers would check on the rhinos daily, observing and recording individual identification, age, sex, location and behaviour. The Rangers would also keep a keen eye out for signs of disturbance and evidence of poaching parties. The mere fact that the poachers knew these teams existed deterred rhino poaching in the Mara.

FOC created, managed and funded this programme until 1996, when the management of the programme was handed back to the Masai Mara Reserve Authorities. At the time of handing over the programme, there were 40 rhinos living within the Reserve.

Rhino Conservation and Community Programme

Since 1989 FOC has involved a group of local Masai as 'Community Rhino Scouts' to monitor the few rhino living in unprotected areas outside the Masai Mara National Reserve. The programme, funded by FOC and the Eden Wildlife Trust, combines the interests of wildlife and people. Through an Education officer who works with the scouts and communities we try to increase awareness of the importance of wildlife as well as providing an economic incentive to the local people to preserve their unique wildlife and habitat.

Rhino Support Programmes

Our second current rhino programme is support for the Kenya Wildlife Service's (KWS) Black Rhino Monitoring and Surveillance Programme in Tsavo East National Park. Tsavo is one of the largest game sanctuaries in the world. The Park is split into two parts - East and West - and together covers more than 20,000 sq km - almost the size of Wales.

FOC Rhino Scout

In 2000, FOC, through its Travel and Tourism Programme donated a vehicle to KWS to strengthen the monitoring of the rhino population and to prevent poachers penetrating the Park. Tsavo recently suffered a bad period of poaching in which 6 rhinos were killed. The vehicle provided by FOC became instrumental in allowing increasing surveillance patrols to take place.

The vehicle has also facilitated the arrest of persons grazing cattle in the Park and the collection of elephant bones dying from natural deaths. FOC covers the cost of maintenance and servicing for the vehicle ensuring it remains on the road undertaking its work. Due to FOC's support, it is often the only vehicle of three in the Unit that is operational.

FOC Donated vehicle