The deaths of seven black rhinos at the Tsavo East National Park last week were as a result of salt poisoning, Tourism CS Najib Balala has said.
Balala has in the meantime suspended the ongoing translocation of the
rhinos following the tragic deaths.
The rhinos were being translocated from Nairobi and Nakuru National Parks to the newly-created sanctuary in Tsavo East National Park being supported by WWF-Kenya.
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"Preliminary investigations by KWS veterinary teams attribute the deaths to salt poisoning as a result of taking water of high salinity on arrival in the new environment," he said.
These findings are consistent with cases of salt poisoning in other animal species, indicating a challenge in the translocated rhinos’ adaptation to the change from fresh water to saline water in the sanctuary.
The high salt levels lead to dehydration that triggers thirst mechanism, resulting in excess water intake of the saline water that further exacerbates the problem.
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Rhino translocation and immobilization for various management purposes in Kenya has been a success story with very low mortality rates over the years.
Between 2005 and 2017, 149 rhinos have been translocated with eight (8) mortalities, excluding the current deaths in Tsavo East N. Park - 11 translocated with eight fatalities,” read a statement.
It stated that further, between July 2017 and February 2018, 74 rhinos have been immobilized for ear-notching and only 1 mortality was reported.
Several tens have also been successfully immobilized for clinical intervention.
The eight dead rhinos were among 11 that had been moved to the sanctuary in an initiative to start a new population in line with the National Rhino Conservation and Management Strategy.
A total of 14 rhinos had been planned to be translocated.
“Subsequently, we invited Prof. Peter Gathumbi, a Senior Veterinary Pathologist from University of Nairobi, to Tsavo to carry out independent investigations, where he collected samples on July 12, 2018, and would present his report in a week’s time,” Balala said.
He added that they have also sought input from Markus Hoffmeyer, a Wildlife Conservationist, Rhino Veterinarian and translocation expert from South Africa.
Meanwhile, the four remaining rhinos are being closely monitored by veterinary and park management teams and are being provided with fresh water in temporary water pans, as we await the full postmortem examination report and further forensic investigations.
“We will make the investigation results public as soon as we receive them. Disciplinary action will definitely be taken, if the findings point towards negligence or unprofessional misconduct on the
part of any KWS officers,” Balala added.