Black rhino standing in a field and looking directly at the camera

Help protect black rhinos

100% of what you give will help protect them

Help protect black rhinos and the rangers who keep them safe.

Black rhinos were once pushed to the brink of extinction. In 1960, around 100,000 wild black rhinos roamed Africa. But over the next 35 years, poaching and habitat loss wiped out 98% of the population. By the 1980s, fewer than 400 remained in Kenya. We almost lost this iconic species forever.

Today, black rhinos remain critically endangered. But their numbers in Kenya have now surpassed 1,000 for the first time in decades. This recovery is a remarkable achievement, but it remains fragile and depends on rangers carrying out a challenging and often dangerous role.

Rangers: the first line of defence for rhinos

Every day, rangers patrol vast landscapes looking for signs of poaching and other threats. They monitor individual rhinos, track movements, collect data and respond quickly when threats arise. They often work in remote locations, spending weeks away from their families and facing difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions.

Their dedication helps ensure rhinos remain safe, healthy and protected from poaching. But many rangers still lack the equipment, technology and support they need to do their job safely and effectively.

Rhino patrol ranger on his back looking through his prismatics — © Greg Armfield / WWF-UK

“Missing your family and being away from loved ones for a long time is the hardest thing about working in the field”

Philip Odhiambo | Veteran ranger with 19 years’ experience, based at Meru National Park.

Making lives better

Rangers face many challenges. As well as the risk of encountering rhinos and armed poachers, they often spend weeks living in remote camps far from home.

We work with Kenya Wildlife Service and other partners to provide vital resources that help keep rangers safe and make life in the field more comfortable. With your support, we can improve their working conditions and the technology they use too.

Ranger monitoring rhinos as sun goes down — © Jonathan Caramanus / Green Renaissance / WWF-UK

Long-term vision

Black rhino close up in Kenya — © Martin Harvey / WWF

Kenya’s long-term commitment to breed and protect 2,000 black rhinos by 2037 is on track.

Conservation experts believe a population of at least 2,000 black rhinos will give the species the best chance to thrive in the future. It should give them enough genetic diversity and resilience to face threats such as poaching, disease and rising global temperatures.

Black rhino with calve looking at the camera with interest — © WWF-Kenya / Japhet Kaimenyi

Given the space and protection they need, black rhinos can recover.

Every calf born strengthens the future of the species and the impact will be widespread. As browsers, they play an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. By feeding on trees and shrubs, they help shape landscapes that provide space and food for many other species.

When you support rangers, you help protect black rhinos too

By donating today, you can help provide rangers with the equipment, training, and technology they need to protect black rhinos and support them for generations to come.

100% of your donation today will help protect black rhinos.