The loss of Morani, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s tame black rhino, earlier this year had left a huge void until this week. With his unique good nature, Morani was a fantastic draw for visitors, helping to educate them about the plight of black rhinos in Africa, and what must be done to ensure their survival. As a remarkable ambassador for his species, a rock cairn has been erected in tribute to him, not far from what was his home territory.

At the beginning of this week, Morani’s “turf” was taken over by another of the Conservancy’s black rhinos - Baraka. Baraka was a wild rhino born on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in 1994. He lost sight in both eyes after reaching maturity. Baraka has been relocated to Morani’s former 100 acre enclosure, to follow in the footsteps of black rhino representatives. The move was successful and in about 4 to 6 weeks time, once Baraka has settled into his new surroundings, visitors will be allowed to feed him from a platform at designated times of the day.

Black rhinos are notorious for having poor eyesight, but a completely blind black rhino cannot survive alone in the wild and must become totally dependent on humans. Baraka’s blindness began with an abcess in one eye which eventually ruptured and had to be removed. Baraka’s remaining eye began looking unusual and was examined by a veterinary eye specialist, who diagnosed an advanced cataract. After trying all possible cures, nothing could be done to save him from losing his sight completely.

Since the loss of his sight, Baraka has been kept in a secure enclosure where he has been fed and taken care of by rangers. Baraka has become accustomed to his new human friends and with each passing day he gets easier to handle. However, he will never be able to replace Morani in terms of his willingness to allow strangers a “hands-on” experience.

There is a paradox here that as a wild rhino is becoming tame, a tame rhino is becoming wild. Max, a former neighbour of Morani’s, is the Conservancy’s hand-reared, orphaned white rhino. A frisky young adolescent, Max has now made a significant step in a process to re-introduce him to the wild. This week, he encountered his first wild, white rhino compatriots. He has spent the last month easing himself closer to an area inhabited by wild rhinos, familiarizing himself with their scents and sighting them often. Having been reared by humans, Max lacks basic rhino social skills which he will have to learn. The wild white rhinos whom Max encountered, engaged him in an affectionate “rubbing of noses”. It is hoped that as Max matures, his need for a female companion will help minimize his dependency on humans.

Future plans for Morani’s former enclosure include, not just Baraka, but also a number of holding pens for rhinos which are already under construction. These will facilitate re-introductions and provide care to rhinos that are in need (a sort of rhino hospital!). These holding pens, although designed specifically for rhinos, will be capable of holding a number of other species as well. Visitors will eventually have access to the holding pens via a series of walkways.

Baraka’s move to Morani’s enclosure and Max’s first encounter with wild white rhinos were captured on film and will form part of a series entitled “The Ol Pejeta Diaries”. For those of you in Canada, the first episode in the series will be going out on Oasis HD in July ’09. Thereafter, it will go out internationally.