My sad encounter with a rhino in Mathews range
Category: Endangered Wildlife | Date: Oct 01 2007 | By: admin
During my last field trip which ended last month, I had a rather depressing “encounter” with a rhino on the central part of western Mathews range. I unearthed in a river bed the lower jaw of a Black rhino that was no doubt killed 20-30 years ago by poachers who employed a few locals to track the rhinos and elephnat in this remote forest. The Somali poachers were the middlemen who provided the locals with weapons and food and as little as $ 5 for every elephant or rhino killed. They took the trophies and sold them for hundreds of dollars, became wealthy and expanded the “business” succesifully wiping out all the rhinos in Mathews range. Only two were rescued a decade ago and they were taken to a rhino santuary at Lewa.
Today, there are no Rhinos in Mathews range and the neighboring Kirisia Hills, Ndotto and Mt Nyiro forests, places that had plenty of rhinos 40 years ago. But the community are bitter that their treasured resource was exterminated by a few selfish criminals. To jealously guard what was left behind, almost the entire district has been converted to Community Conservancies and the district is quickly embracing Wildlife conservation as sustainable means of livelihood.
The selfish few will never get another chance!
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Donations Received
- Oct 22nd Noel R. USD110.00
- May 4th Theresa S. USD100.00
- Mar 5th Muriel T. USD30.00
- Nov 3rd Alain V. USD15.00
4 Responses to “My sad encounter with a rhino in Mathews range”
Jon, on 01 Oct 2007
It is amazing that you found this rhino skull and really sad at the same time. I hope you will use it to keep fresh the communities memories of these majestic animals
Christine C., on 01 Oct 2007
Although the decimation of the black rhinos is just devistating, at least it appears that some good came out of such horrific actions. Getting the communities to not only support, but participate in conservation efforts is a trememndous outcome, and hopefully will set the stage for a positive future in that region — for animals, the environment, and ultimately the people who live there.
Lisa, on 01 Oct 2007
Completely sad story. I guess the light in this story is that this district is now embracing wildlife conservation. It is so sad that a species was all but wiped out before that happened though. Lisa, California
LouiseL, on 14 Oct 2007
Just a quick identification correction here on the picture- this is an elephants lower jaw. I am sure it too was poached however. I really enjoy your blog. Keep up the great work.
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