Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) on Monday celebrated the first time in 21 years that Kenya had experienced zero poaching in the country’s national parks.

KWS says this was achieved despite challenges occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic experienced since the beginning of last year.

“For the first time in twenty-one years, KWS made headway in the fight against poaching! In-spite of the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, we reported zero rhino poaching in 2020!” KWS tweeted.

The wildlife service credited intelligence-led operations executed by the KWS anti-poaching team working with the police and local communities for the fruitful efforts at taming the vice.

“The heart of this breakthrough is intelligence-led operations by the KWS anti-poaching team and improved collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local communities who are at the front line of anti-poaching efforts,” added KWS.

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In the 1960s, Kenya was home to approximately 20,000 black rhinos but just 20 years later, poaching activities in the country reduced their population drastically to less than 300.

Due to enhanced conservation efforts, the black rhino population steadily rose to more than 600 black rhinos in Kenya even as the wild animals remain critically endangered by poaching.