Mount Kenya Tourism Circuit Association Guide 2016-17

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OL JOGI RANCH

Animal rescue ranch is also a learning centre Founded more than 60 years ago, Ol Jogi Ranch is today an important conservation site for the endangered black rhino. A successful breeding and management initiative has led to an increase in rhino numbers at the ranch.

A

couple of decades ago rampant poaching in Kenya of the country’s black rhino population led to a dire situation where the endangered animal almost became locally extinct.

Jorg Hack

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Over the years various organisations have stepped up conservation efforts to curb the decline of the black rhino population, including habitat management to increase the survival rate of newborn rhinos. One such organisation that has been tackling conservation of endangered animals as well as providing a protected sanctuary for the black rhino is Ol Jogi Ranch, just north of Nanyuki, 225 km from Nairobi.

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Mount Kenya Guide 2016/2017

Enchanting Founded over 60 years ago by the Wildenstein family, Ol Jogi Ranch is an enchanting 58,000 acre haven with 16 operating corridors to allow the safe migration of elephant and zebra as well as protection of the

resident rhinos within the ranch. As many as 400 elephants have been migrating through the ranch. A unique feature of Ol Jogi is that it is a working cattle ranch that effectively supports the cohabitation of livestock and wildlife including giraffe, lion, leopard, various species of monkey and a colourful collection of birds. According to the World Wildlife Fund, Kenya is one of only three countries in Africa that has seen an increase in black rhino populations. This is a direct result of the sanctuary approach to rhino protection, breeding and management, which began as an initiative by private landowners and was later picked up by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). A close working relationship with KWS has seen rhinos translocated from around the country to the ranch for rehabilitation and now there are 45 black rhinos and 19


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