NAIROBI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said Friday that it plans to translocate 21 female and male black rhinoceros to Loisaba Conservancy, located about 190 km north of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, before the end of January to boost the population of the iconic species.

Erastus Kanga, KWS director general, said that the black rhinoceros will be coming from Nairobi National Park, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

"This strategic action of having 21 rhinos in Loisaba Conservancy aligns with our vision to establish viable habitats, fostering optimal conditions for rhinos to thrive," Kanga said in a statement.

He added that three decades ago, the black rhinoceros were on the brink of extinction, but since then the numbers have climbed so rapidly that they are overcrowding their sanctuaries.

According to KWS, the current population of the black rhinoceros stands at about 966, up from 240 in 1984 as a result of enhanced security against poachers.

Tom Silvester, chief executive officer of Loisaba Conservancy, said that the key to success in increasing Kenya's black rhinoceros population has been the safeguarding of the species in protected areas.

Silvester noted that black rhinoceros are solitary animals and without enough room to disperse, they cannot be encouraged to breed. Enditem

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