Our rhino rangers report that one of the best parts of their patrol is discovering a new calf. It's usually only the briefest glimpse, especially in the case of black rhinos, who keep their calves very well hidden. But every black rhino birth is cause for celebration.
On the 4th of March, our rangers were thrilled to discover that one of Ol Pejeta’s best and most notorious black rhino mothers, Waya, had given birth to her fourth calf. This comes shortly after another black rhino, Njoki, gave birth in December 2015. The two new arrivals bring the total number of black rhinos on Ol Pejeta to 107.
Waya 'the fierce mama' as she is known, was born on February 4, 1995 and is now 21 years old. She lost her mother, Mia, to poachers in 1998. This incident has driven her to be the most protective mother on the Conservancy; she has even been known to charge at people who get too close. As a result of her fearless protective instinct, Waya is one of only two rhinos on Ol Pejeta that have never lost a calf.
If you've got love and respect for Waya, why not adopt her? You will receive regular updates on her and her little calf, and your contribution will help us secure their future.
Ol Pejeta's black rhino population is fast approaching the maximum ecological carrying capacity for the area - what a fantastic problem for an endangered species! Our partnership with neighbouring Mutara will ensure another safe space for black rhinos in the near future.