We will do everything to save world’s 2 white rhinos – Ruto

President William Ruto has given an undertaking to ensure the world’s last two remaining northern white rhinos in Kenya are protected from extinction.

Ruto said the government would partner with the management of Ol Pejeta Conservancy in ensuring the genetics of the two endangered species are not lost.

According to Ruto, the two rhinos—Najin and Fatu—are a pride to the nation hence the need to fully protect them. “The government of Kenya is going to work with you to ensure we don’t lose the genetics of these rhinos,” he said.

“Whatever is required of you and us and others to preserve these species, the government will play its role,” he said.

The President made the remarks on Saturday during celebrations to mark 20 years of conservation. The two animals are currently receiving round-the-clock armed protection at the conservancy, with a shoot-to-kill order in place for any poachers.

Ol Pejeta’s chief commercial officer Ken Kimani said they expect a calf in the next two to three years through the In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) process.

According to Kimani, Najin who is 35 years old now and her daughter Fatu, 24, cannot give birth due to various reasons.

While Najin is getting old, Fatu has a problem with the hind leg. Rhinos are expected to live for about 40 years. “We have invested a lot in research. We have scientists who are working with us so that we can save these species,” he said.

Kimani said they are working with scientists from the BioRescue group and other partners in this delicate process.

A southern white rhino that will act as a surrogate mother has already been identified, he said. IVF is a process of fertilisation in which an egg is combined with sperm in vitro (“in glass”).

The process involves monitoring and stimulating ovulatory process, then removing an egg from the female’s ovaries and enabling the sperm to fertilise them in a culture medium in a laboratory Scientists have since 2019 been creating northern white embryos with eggs from Fatu and sperm collected and preserved from the males before they died.

There are about 30 northern white embryos stored in laboratories outside the country. Ruto also hailed the management on its role in environmental conservation and the growth of tourism.

Noting that 70 per cent of wild animals are accommodated in conservancies, Ruto said the government has resolved to support the habitats.

“I want to commit to Ol Pejeta that you have the support of the government in your conservation efforts as well as empowerment of local communities economically,” he said.

On human-wildlife conflict, Ruto said the government would fence off animal habitats from settlements to bring the menace to an end.

For this to succeed, the President called for cooperation among all stakeholders so that the challenge could be comprehensively addressed.

He pointed out that Kenya offers many premium tourism options, including luxury accommodation and safari.