The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and its western neighbour, Borana Conservancy, are to drop the fence separating them to form a 37 636-hectare rhino sanctuary.
Borana is the newest Black rhino sanctuary in Kenya, having received its founding population of 21 rhino in August last year. Eleven of the rhino came from Lewa and the other 10 from Lake Nakuru National Park.
"The two areas currently have a combined Black rhino population of 88. Lewa is also home to 63 White rhino and these will also benefit from the expanded habitat," said Lewa's CEO, Mike Watson.
Borana's Managing Director, Michael Dyer, said: "The Borana Conservancy has been working closely with The Kenya Wildlife Service and The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy under the Conservation and Management Strategy for Black Rhino in Kenya 2012-2016 and we are delighted to have achieved this important goal of providing additional secure habitat for rhino. This is a hugely important and progressive step and adds a further 50% to Lewa’s landscape available for rhino in a creative and exciting partnership between all parties."