Rhino deaths under investigation, may not be linked to poaching KWS

The recent deaths of three black rhinos may not have been as a result of poaching, the the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) has said.

According to a Press statement released on Thursday, the agency said investigations are still underway to establish the cause of death.

“No injuries were observed on the remaining parts of the skin and bones,” the statement reads.

The three rhinos were apparently discovered with both their anterior and posterior horns intact and were initially observed to be in good health.

This contradicts an initial report by Narok County Commissioner George Natembeya that the rhinos were killed by poachers.

A preliminary post-mortem report from the KWS Mobile Veterinary Unit said all the soft tissues and internal organs were missing having been scavenged.

However, internal organs of the animals have been collected for analysis to establish the cause of the death, the statement adds.

The samples were submitted to the Government Chemist and University of Nairobi Veterinary School for toxicological and histopathology analyses.

The carcasses of the three rhinos; a male christened ‘Sairowua’,female Naiteru and a calf  ‘Kantai’ were reported between November 12-19 this year at the Mara Triangle, Narok County.

Given that the rhino shared the same territory, environmental samples from areas of common use (salt lick) were also collected.

“KWS regrets the deaths and is working closely with Narok County Government to enhance round-the-clock monitoring of the remaining rhinos as we await results from the Government Chemist,” read the statement.