Lewa Conservancy Honors Songare and Secures the Future of Conservation

On September 22, Lewa Conservancy staff gathered on the office grounds to mark World Rhino Day, a moment that felt less like a date on the calendar and more like a celebration of survival and resilience.

The gathering honored Godot, the black rhino who began Lewa’s conservation story, and paid tribute to Songare, the white rhino matriarch who died of natural causes in August 2025 after an extraordinary life. Songare gave birth to 14 calves and became grandmother to 22, her bloodline now woven throughout the Lewa–Borana population. “Songare’s long life is a reflection of collective effort,” said rhino monitoring officer Benson Kibet. “Rhino conservation is never the work of one person. It takes rangers, scientists, communities and supporters standing together to make survival possible.”

The day also looked back to Lewa’s modest beginnings as a small fenced refuge for a few surviving rhinos. That vision has grown into a world-class haven. Together with Borana Conservancy, Lewa now supports more than 280 rhinos, representing a significant share of Kenya’s national population. Across the country, black rhino numbers have risen from fewer than 400 in the 1980s to over 1,000 today, a sign that decades of protection are bearing fruit.

The celebration was as much about people as it was about rhinos. Long-serving staff such as Sumpere Ole Toki recalled the fragile early years when every calf born was a milestone. Finance leaders like James Mwenja highlighted the quiet but essential systems, including payroll, procurement and transparent budgets, that make sure the conservation wheel keeps turning.

Head of Conservancy Adrian Paul reminded the gathering that hope must be matched with vigilance. “World Rhino Day at Lewa shows how far we have come, but also how much lies ahead. Songare’s life tells the story of resilience, from the days when rhinos were few to today’s growing population. The challenge before us is to keep that progress alive by advancing technology, strengthening community partnerships and ensuring these landscapes remain safe for the next generation of rhinos,” he said.

Deputy Head of Security Sangei Korosian closed with a vow. “The most powerful way to remember Songare is to ensure her descendants walk safely across this land for generations to come.”