Born Free Kenya’s Meru field team were recently on hand during a rhino ear notching exercise conducted by Kenya Wildlife Service in Meru National Park. Some 17 rhinos – two blacks and 15 white – were successfully notched in Meru’s rhino sanctuary. 

Ear notching gives the rhino a permanent and unique identity which assists in swift identification and ease of monitoring. 

A fixed-wing aircraft surveyed the area and helped to spot where the rhino were. The fixed-wing pilot then informed a chopper team – pilot, scientists and vet – of the rhino’s location, who then set out to find them. If a suitable rhino was with other rhinos, the chopper separated them and the vet darted the rhino. The chopper team then told the ground team the location of the darted rhino. 

The ground team moved swiftly in search of the rhino. This team helped the darted rhino into a good position and then set about marking the ears and checking its general health. Some rhinos are also fitted with transponders for security purposes.