One of these events is ‘The Cycle with the Rhino’ – a spectacular and unique sporting-cum-fundraising event that takes place in the Lake Nakuru National Park. This bicycle racing sport is one of the world most interesting event thanks, to the fact that it is done inside a densely populated wildlife national park.

The diversity of Africa attractions, the awe-inspiring natural beauty and the intense creativity of African people has once again brought an even that brings pride and admiration to Africa.

This year marked the 6th event of the cycle with rhinos and the experience was greatly widespread. The organizers of this year’s event choose a new route incorporating the old route with another stretch that saw the cyclist race through the patched community land parcels.

The race was flagged off from the sloppy nice-lawn corridor patched with young acacia trees by the Director of Kenya Wildlife Service Mr. Julius Kipng’etich. This followed a tasking pedaling through the magnificent shade of canopied acacia branches. The conducive weather conditions saw cyclists enjoy a cool breeze along the shoe before proceeding to the open community land.

The climax turf was climbing to the top of Flamingo Hill also know as Honeymoon Hill. Some cyclists opted to shoulder their bikes while others pushed them hard, while others jogged to the top in ambition of touching the line first.

The event is held every September and it involves great passion and excitement among the participants. Whether cheering or cycling, you will get to enjoy the scenery and also view game in their natural habitat. The Cycle With the Rhino event is organized in collaboration with various organizations, local and international cyclists and the local business community.

The Black Rhino is listed in Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and is also listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In 1987, Lake Nakuru was set up as the first Black Rhino sanctuary in Kenya.

The park has been used as a successful breeding habitat and the surplus species reintroduced in the former natural ranges and to stock other sanctuaries. It is recommended that the population is maintained at optimum level where density shall not limit reproduction due to sparse distribution nor, shall it inhibit breeding due to congestion or food shortage.

Lake Nakuru Black Rhino ear notching exercise / fitting of transmitters and translocation to Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) was successfully undertaken from 12th-19th October 2010. A total of 10 male black rhinos were translocated to IPZ Park and 1 of the rhinos named Nganga was very hostile such that upon release in its new home it knocked the bumper of a KWS vehicle nearby causing a serious damage to the vehicle.

The exercise was also in line with realizing the objective of the Black Rhino Management Strategy (2007-2010) of having at least 60% of all the Black Rhino’s ear notched to enable positive identification. After this exercise 72% of the Black Rhinos in Lake Nakuru national park are now ear notched and this is expected to improve individual identification and sightings. There is need to further conduct another ear notching exercise within the next 2 years to enhance monitoring.

The activity was sponsored by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and participants were drawn from KWS Airwing, Vet/Capture Units, Rhino Programme, Species Conservation and Management, Central Rift Conservation Area; Assistant Director, Lake Nakuru National Park Management, WWF and Maasai Mara National Reserve Staff also participated in the exercise.

According to Ben Okita Head of National Rhino Program, the expensive exercise was a big success to the general conservation of black rhinos which are endemic in Kenya.