The morning began under a heavy chill, with Nairobi National Park still damp from two days of rain. By 7:30 a.m., our team, joined by Ranger Emmanuel Kiprotich, head of the Rhino Monitoring Unit in the park, set off for a rhino monitoring patrol. Tourist activity in the park was unusually high due to the holiday season, with traffic at the gate and vehicles moving steadily along the roads. 

Spotting Lankeu: A symbol of hope 

At about 9:30 a.m., the monitoring team located Lankeu in the Miti Tano area of the park. He was standing on a ridge, actively feeding. Although positioned far from the road and off-road access was limited due to recent rains, the team confirmed his presence using binoculars. His physical condition appeared good, with strong movements and steady feeding behaviour. Fresh dung-scraping nearby, a classic territorial sign, further confirmed his activity and dominance in the area. 

Lankeu is no ordinary rhino.  At 26 years old, he is considered middle-aged for a rhino, yet still very much in his prime. Like all male black rhinos, he is fiercely territorial, marking his ground with urine and dung while patrolling it regularly. He has fathered at least 10 calves, each one representing a vital step towards saving his species. Adopted through WWF-UK’s rhino adoption program, he represents a global commitment to black rhino conservation. Funds raised through his adoption support conservation efforts across Kenya, including helping to improve ranger welfare, provision of monitoring equipment, and refresher training. 

A crash of rhinos and a thriving ecosystem 

Earlier in the patrol, the team sighted Tropian and her calf Waweru, lying down and resting. Due to the rains and soft ground, they were observed from a distance. Both appeared healthy and calm, their behaviour consistent with normal resting patterns. 

The surrounding environment was lush and green following the recent rains, with tall grass covering much of the plains. Though the wet ground limited off-road access, it provided ample forage and water sources for wildlife. On the way back, fresh dung-scraping reinforced Lankeu’s continued occupation of the Kapiti Miti Tano range. 

By late morning, the chill had lifted, and the team returned to camp with a sense of satisfaction. The patrol had achieved its purpose, Lankeu had been sighted and assessed, his health and activity confirmed, and his territory reaffirmed. 

Frontline protectors 

This successful patrol is part of a larger, nationwide effort to strengthen rhino conservation. In June 2025, 40 rhino monitors underwent training in Chyulu Hills National Park on rhino monitoring protocols and reporting procedures. The training was conducted using the revised Kenya Rhino Monitoring Guidelines and Protocols curriculum, updated with WWF’s support in FY24. 

On examination, 80% of the trainees attained a pass mark of 60% or higher, demonstrating strong proficiency in the assessed modules.  

Earlier in March 2025, two instructors from Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, trained as Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) in FY24, conducted a similar training for 31 rhino monitors using the same curriculum. These efforts are helping to standardize and professionalize rhino monitoring across Kenya. 

A park alive with wildlife 

Beyond black rhinos, the patrol offered valuable observations of other species. Herds of zebra and impala grazed across the plains, white rhinos wallowed in pools left behind by the recent downpour, buffalos moved steadily through the taller grass, and ostriches fed near open clearings. Along water bodies, hippopotamuses were sighted, accompanied by a variety of bird species, including Egyptian geese. 

Recent rains have transformed Nairobi National Park. Once dry and dusty areas are now lush and green, with new grass covering the plains and waterholes filling once again. Streams that had slowed to a trickle are now flowing steadily, attracting a wide variety of wildlife. The tall grass has altered animal movement, pushing many species closer to the drier park edges where pasture is shorter and easier to graze. 

Why monitoring Lankeu matters 

Seeing Tropian, Waweru, and Lankeu within the same patrol was a quiet reward, a reminder of why daily monitoring matters and why protecting these animals remains a vital mission. Lankeu’s story is a testament to what global support and local dedication can achieve. Thanks to WWF-UK’s animal adoption programme and the tireless work of Kenya Wildlife Service, WWF-Kenya and other key partners, black rhinos like Lankeu are not just surviving, they’re thriving. 

By Anthony Diang’a 

_{Edited by Joel Muinde}