Rhino Rangers Of Ol Pejeta

By Britta Foulis – Content Marketing Manager

Underneath the watchful eye of Mount Kenya, you can discover the unspoilt wilderness of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, famous for pioneering conservation projects and a refuge for the last two northern white rhino remaining on the planet.

Fatu and Najin, Sudan’s granddaughters and the last two remaining Northern White Rhinos in the world.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy – A Beacon For Conservation

Not only is Ol Pejeta the largest black rhino sanctuary in the whole of East Africa, but it is also home to the Big Five, a mind-blowingly rich array of African game, and over 200 migrant and resident bird species. The conservancy boasts one of the greatest game-to-area ratios of any reserve in Kenya in a pioneering and mutually beneficial land-management system.

A recent groundbreaking success in Northern white rhino egg harvesting process was performed by an international group of scientists and conservationists at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, fueling hope for the survival of the species in the future.

The Rangers of Ol Pejeta

Rangers are the heroes working on the front-line of wildlife conservation. Each and every day there are thousands of men and women who risk it all to protect our wildlife.

The NPR team and the Rhino Patrol Unittwo are Ol Pejeta’s wildlife protection squads and protect 90, 000 acres. The two work independently, but when cooperation is needed they work together and share intelligence.

Let us celebrate the work rangers do to protect the planet’s natural resources.

NPR stands for National Police Reservists. NPR Rangers undergo paramilitary training in order to allow them to carry government-authorised firearms. These are the men who defend Ol Pejeta’s front line against poachers.Their primary focus is on wildlife protection, but this is not all they do. NPR Rangers also play a crucial role in assisting local communities and police with issues and problems such as livestock theft, or human/wildlife conflict situations.

The Rhino Protection Unit (RPU) specializes in the important process of wildlife monitoring and general security surveillance. The RPU track and record sightings of rhino in the area – they cover extremely large areas and are often the first ones to detect a security threat, breaks in fences, or wildlife in distress and do something about it. The RPU are incredibly wary when it comes to their rhino – they have a rule that every black rhino on Ol Pejeta must be sighted at least once every three days.

Kenya’s tough attitude towards wildlife crime is reflected in Ol Pejeta’s anti-poaching units – who are at the front line of wildlife protection.

Ol Pejeta’s security teams have earned a reputation in Laikipia as being highly efficient teams with great morale. Under their watch, the number of black rhino increased from 86 in 2011 to 113 today. Relations with surrounding communities are strong – insecurity incidents in local towns have dropped significantly with help from Ol Pejeta NPR, and this has created a strong relationship between Ol Pejeta and its neighbours.

Ol Pejeta Bush Camp

Low-key East African authenticity is the hallmark of Ol Pejeta Bush Camp. With no permanent structures and an entirely eco-friendly design, the camp blends seamlessly into the surrounding plains in a mix of natural colours and materials.

‘Soak up Ol Pejeta’s traditional safari comfort and profound conservation ethos surrounded by the wild sights and sounds of Africa.’

The two mess areas looking out over the sprawling plains are the hub of the camp. Meals are enjoyed under canvas in the dining tent, while the cool, breezy mess tent with its inviting sofas and armchairs echoes the friendly, relaxed atmosphere in camp. When darkness falls, evenings are spent around the fire, waiting to catch a glimpse of a rhino ambling down to drink at the opposite river bank.