Lilian Nyiva
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has announced plans to relocate the Nairobi Animal Orphanage (NAO) from its current 7.2-acre site within Nairobi National Park to a new 89-acre facility opposite Bomas of Kenya.
According to KWS, the relocation is aimed at addressing growing demand for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation services, as the existing facility can no longer adequately accommodate the increasing number of wild animals requiring care. The orphanage, established in 1964, has served as a key centre for rescuing, rehabilitating and caring for orphaned, injured and distressed wildlife for more than six decades.
Need for a Larger Facility
KWS said the current orphanage has outgrown its capacity due to a rise in wildlife rescue cases, increasing visitor numbers and evolving international animal welfare standards. The agency noted that the move is intended to provide rescued animals with larger and more natural habitats while improving rehabilitation services.
The new facility will occupy approximately 89 acres of land opposite Bomas of Kenya and is expected to significantly expand the country's capacity to handle wildlife emergencies and long-term animal care.
Modern Wildlife Care Infrastructure
KWS has outlined plans for a modern conservation and rehabilitation centre featuring larger animal enclosures, a fully equipped veterinary unit, a wildlife hospital with surgical capabilities, quarantine areas, nursery facilities for rescued animals and designated release zones to support rewilding programmes.
The agency says the upgraded orphanage will be designed to meet internationally recognised animal welfare standards while enhancing conservation education and visitor experiences.
Improved Visitor Experience
In addition to animal welfare improvements, the new site will include enhanced visitor amenities such as walkways, rest areas, sanitation facilities and controlled parking. KWS believes the location near Bomas of Kenya will improve accessibility and strengthen Nairobi's tourism offering by linking wildlife conservation with cultural and conference tourism activities.
Restoration of Current Site
KWS has stated that once the relocation is completed, the existing Nairobi Animal Orphanage site will be restored and rewilded to strengthen the ecological integrity of Nairobi National Park. The agency maintains that the project is part of a long-term strategy to improve wildlife conservation, animal welfare and environmental sustainability.
Conservation Debate
The relocation project has attracted public debate, with some conservation groups expressing concerns over the use of land within Nairobi National Park. However, KWS insists that the project has undergone the required legal and environmental approval processes and is aimed at enhancing wildlife conservation outcomes while creating improved facilities for rescued animals.
Once completed, the new Nairobi Animal Orphanage is expected to become one of the country's most advanced wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres, providing expanded capacity for the care, treatment and eventual release of rescued wildlife.
