Our great track record for rhino conservation and protection is down to a number of factors - research, community outreach and habitat management to name a few. But of course our main asset when it comes to rhinos is our ranger teams - in which we, and our partners, invest a significant amount of resources. In order to stay ahead of the game, our rangers receive regular refresher training.

During the 6th - 20th October, 55 of our rhino rangers (nearly 40% of the entire team) received new or refresher training, generously sponsored by the US Fish & Wildlife Service and carried out on Ol Pejeta by 51 Degrees Ltd (a private wildlife security consulting company).

The training covered discipline, field patrol administration, first aid, field data collection, crime scene management, basic weapon safety, map/GPS reading, fitness, equipment maintenance and intelligence gathering.

The Ol Pejeta ranger teams work closely with the Kenya Police and the Kenya Wildlife Service - and the management and maintenance of these partnerships were also covered in the course. All scouts were awarded certificates of participation at the conclusion of the training.

Ol Pejeta Chief Operating Officer, Simon Rowe awards the rangers certificates of participation.

Ol Pejeta’s black rhino population has risen from 106 in 2015 to 114 in 2016, and we're projected to reach 120 by the end of 2017. Our rhino rangers aim to record every rhino on Ol Pejeta at least once every three days, which allows us to monitor their movements and health.