Poachers struck at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya on October 30, killing its oldest rhino, Stumpy, who was estimated to be 41 years old.
It is believed the poachers killed the rhino before dawn after shots were reported by a security outpost on the conservancy’s western boundary. Tracker dogs and KPR teams were immediately dispatched to the scene and roadblocks set up in the surrounding areas but the poachers managed to escape. The female Black rhino was found with her horns hacked off.
Stumpy’s calf suffered a neck injury in the attack and is now being monitored on a daily basis by rhino patrol units.
An investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made yet. Richard Moller
Chief Conservation Officer at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy said critical information had been gathered by the conservancy’s security team with the help of the Kenya Wildlife Service. He added that, despite increased security, better response times and good ties to the local community, the threat of poaching could never be fully eliminated.
Despite the devastating news of Stumpy, who was one of the founding rhinos of the conservancy, there was cause for some happiness as on the same day as the poaching, a rhino was born.
The Wildlife Conservancy says it remains even more committed to the conservation and protection of White and Black rhino in Kenya.
