Masai Mara national reserve also known as the Mara is a protected area I Kenya bordering Serengeti national park, it covers an area of 1510 kilometres squared providing an habitat for several animals and various species of birds. The reserve was first established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1961 and later upgraded to a national reserve managed by The Narok County Council (NCC). Masai mara is one of the few places where you can see rhinos in their natural habitat in Africa.
Rhinos in Masai Mara
Black rhinos in Masai Mara are usually solitary. Though they share water holes and feeding areas and strong bonds develop between mothers and calves while young. Female rhinos produce only every and half years with a gestation period of about 1 and half years. Calves stay close to their mothers until they are 3 years old. Rhinos mainly forage vegetation throughout the day.
Masai Mara national reserve boasts as the only conservation area in Kenya. Black and white rhinos inhabit the plains. The reserve used to be home to a high number of rhinos. Before the 1960s but the population decreased as a result of constant hunting. Conservation efforts saw an increase of rhinos from 15 to 23 rhinos in Masai Mara by 1999.
In 2001 there was only one aggressive black rhino left in Masai Mara triangle. A male rhino moved to the triangle and mated with the wandering aggressive female rhino. Resulting to the increase in number and the rhino family has now grown. A conservancy known as Mara conservancy rhino surveillance unit was put in place to protect rhinos. This has greatly helped on the conservation of rhinos through daily patrols and GPS tracking
Rhinos in Masai Mara can be seen around Sala’s camp. Southern parts of Mara at the black rhino conservancy and along the sand river.
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