KWS kickstarts high-tech operation targeting endangered black rhinos
By Cynthia Lodite, November 18, 2025The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has begun a high-tech protection operation expected to protect rhinos by enhancing monitoring, security, and data accuracy.
In a post on its official X account on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, KWS announced the launch of a 15-day rhino ear-notching and tagging operation at Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Tsavo West National Park.
“Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), in collaboration with partners under the Kenya Rhino Range Expansion (KRRE) initiative, has launched a 15-day rhino ear-notching and tagging operation at Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Tsavo West National Park,” KWS said.
The team led by Dr. Isaac Lekolool, Senior Assistant Director, Veterinary and Capture Services, is targeting at least 100 black rhinos.
KWS confirmed that the rhinos will be notched with LoRaWAN eartags and VHF transmitters to enhance monitoring, security, and data accuracy.
“This is the largest single exercise of its kind in Kenya’s conservation history. Led by Dr. Isaac Lekolool, Senior Assistant Director, Veterinary and Capture Services, the operation will notch and fit over 100 black rhinos with LoRaWAN eartags and VHF transmitters to enhance monitoring, security, and data accuracy,” KWS added.
“This milestone highlights KWS’s growing technical and logistical capacity in large-scale wildlife operations and its commitment to science-based conservation,” KWS said.
“Through this initiative, KWS stamps its leadership in species recovery and sustainable management of natural resources, strengthening Kenya’s ecological resilience and community livelihoods,” KWS added.
Relocation of White Rhinos
This move comes just months after the Kenya Wildlife Service relocated four rhinos from the Meru National Park to the Loisaba Conservancy, marking the beginning of a historic initiative to introduce white rhinos into the conservancy.
In a statement on August 21, 2025, KWS stated that the four, comprising two males and two females, are the first phase of a larger plan that will see a total of 10 rhinos moved, with the remaining group set to be sourced from Lewa Conservancy.
“As part of implementing the KWS Strategic Plan (2024–2028), whose vision is to ensure thriving wildlife for all, and the White Rhino Conservation and Management Action Plan in Kenya, the Kenya Wildlife Service has begun a historic introduction of white rhinos to Loisaba Conservancy, making it the 12th sanctuary in the country to host them,” read the statement in part.
The Loisaba introduction makes it the 12th rhino sanctuary in the country, cementing Kenya’s leadership in rhino conservation.
“This bold initiative, led by the KWS team under the stewardship of Dr. Lekolool, together with Loisaba Conservancy. This delicate but significant process underscores KWS’s mission to safeguard Kenya’s wildlife heritage and its habitat for the well-being of nature and people.”
Further, KWS revealed that by creating more space and diversifying their range, the relocation is expected to foster healthier breeding conditions and reduce risks associated with confined populations.