19/08/2026
๐๐ค REMEMBERING BARAKA
Ol Pejeta Conservancy has bid farewell to one of its most extraordinary residents. Baraka, the beloved blind black rhino, passed away on Sunday at the age of 31.
Born at Ol Pejeta to his mother, Carol, Baraka was among the first black rhinos born on the conservancy. His life, however, was marked by remarkable challenges. After losing his right eye during a territorial fight with another male and later losing sight in his remaining eye to cataracts, Baraka became completely blind.
To give him the care and protection he needed, the conservancy brought him into a secure enclosure where he received dedicated, round-the-clock care. His blindness meant that even feeding required special attention and nutritional supplementation.
Among those who helped him adjust was ranger Esogon Ekale, who spent days patiently building a bond with himโa relationship that remained memorable to those who knew Baraka.
Over the years, Baraka became much more than a resident at Ol Pejeta. He became a symbol of resilience, conservation, and the extraordinary strength of wildlife. Staff and visitors who encountered him often left with a deeper appreciation for rhinos and the responsibility we carry to protect them.
His name, Baraka, means โblessingโ in Swahiliโand to the many people whose lives he touched, he truly was one. ๐ค๐ฆ
A post-mortem examination is being conducted by Ol Pejeta and Kenya Wildlife Service veterinary teams to establish the cause of his death.
Rest peacefully, Baraka. Your legacy will continue to inspire the protection of Kenyaโs rhinos for generations to come. ๐ฆ๐ฟ