Rhinos Poached in Kenya

Kenya experienced its first rhino poaching in several years with the killing of three rhinos in February.

The incidents occurred at two private sanctuaries about 30 miles apart. Two white rhinos were killed at the Solio Ranch, but their horns were not taken. The horns had been removed from a black rhino carcass found at Ol Pejeta Ranch.

There is no evidence the crimes were committed by the same person or persons, and no arrests have yet been made. The Kenya Wildlife Service has tightened security at all sanctuaries, and no further poaching has been reported.

In related news, a regional court in South Africa issued a strong deterrent to would-be poachers by sentencing a man who had killed four white rhinos in a KwaZulu-Natal park to 10 years in prison, the maximum penalty.