Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala will face the Environment committee on Tuesday to explain the deaths of 11 black rhinos.
Balala is expected to details the authorisation fo the translocation following claims that the proper procedure was not followed.
Two weeks ago, the Kenya Wildlife Services commenced the translocation of 14 black rhinos from Nairobi and Lake Nakuru National Parks to a sanctuary at Tsavo East National Park.
The exercise was part of a
broader plan, in partnership with Wild Wide Fund for Nature to create more secure space and a suitable habitat for the animals.
Nine of the rhinos died as a result of salt poisoning, forcing the minister to suspend the translocation. The two died two days later, leading to the suspension of six senior officers at KWS.
A tough-talking Balala then explained that deaths were due to
multiple stress syndrome that was intensified by salt poisoning,
dehydration, starvation, a proliferation of opportunistic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract, gastric ulcers, and gastritis.
Details:
Bala was criticised after the suspensions, some saying he was shifting blame.
Former KWS chairman Richard Leakey noted that there was no board
to take disciplinary actions against the suspended officials.
Leakey also said that Balala’s announcement of the suspensions was unfortunate because it failed to reflect the fundamental issues behind the deaths.
“He should perhaps dig deeper into the real problems at KWS,” he said in a statement on July 27, adding that the previous board had been opposed to translocation without proper measures.
Read:
Also read:
