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Endangered black rhinos die in Kenya reserve Endangered black rhinos die in Kenya reserve
(about 3 hours later)
Seven endangered black rhinos have died while being transported to a new wildlife reserve in Kenya, reports say. Eight endangered black rhinos have died while being transported to a new wildlife reserve in Kenya.
Wildlife officials are still trying to establish why the critically endangered animals failed to survive the trip. They died after drinking water with high concentrations of salt, the Kenyan government says.
The dead animals were among 14 black rhinos being transported to Kenya's biggest national park, Tsavo East, AFP news agency reports. The animals were among 14 black rhinos being transported from Nairobi National Park to the country's biggest national park, Tsavo East.
Estimates suggest there are fewer than 5,500 black rhinos in the world, all of them in Africa and some 750 in Kenya.Estimates suggest there are fewer than 5,500 black rhinos in the world, all of them in Africa and some 750 in Kenya.
The deaths during the relocation process were confirmed by officials speaking anonymously to AFP, although they said the reason why the animals died was not yet clear. Kenya Wildlife Service vets believe the more the animals drank, the thirstier they became, which quickly lead to salt poisoning, although an independent investigation has been launched to confirm the cause of death.
A Kenyan conservationist, Paula Kahumbu, said officials should immediately take responsibility and explain what went wrong. Kenyan conservationist Paula Kahumbu told AFP news agency: "Something must have gone wrong, and we want to know what it is."
"Rhinos have died, we have to say it openly when it happens, not a week later or a month later. Something must have gone wrong, and we want to know what it is," Ms Kahumbu told AFP.
The relocation of endangered animals involves sedating them for the journey and reviving them on arrival. The process is known as translocation.The relocation of endangered animals involves sedating them for the journey and reviving them on arrival. The process is known as translocation.
It is a process that the World Wide Fund, which runs the programme with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), described as "extremely challenging and not without risk" in a statement released to Kenya's Daily Nation newspaper. The WWF conservation agency, which runs the programme with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), described the process as "extremely challenging" in a statement released to Kenya's Daily Nation newspaper.
"Black rhinos are under enormous threat, so efforts to try and better protect them, such as translocation, are crucial for future generations," the statement said. "Black rhinos are under enormous threat, so efforts to try and better protect them, such as translocation, are crucial for future generations," i said.
Rhinos are often moved when their populations outgrow their surroundings. In the case of critically endangered black rhinos, the moves can establish new breeding habitats to boost numbers.
Nine rhinos were killed in Kenya last year, according to KWS, and in March, the world's last surviving male northern white rhino died after months of poor health.Nine rhinos were killed in Kenya last year, according to KWS, and in March, the world's last surviving male northern white rhino died after months of poor health.
He had previously joined the dating app Tinder to raise funds for his conservation.He had previously joined the dating app Tinder to raise funds for his conservation.
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