The Kenyan government said the deaths of the rhinos, which had been described as a disaster by conservationists, was caused by drinking water with high concentrations of salt.

The saline water caused the rhinos to drink more and led to their eventual salt poisoning.

The Minister of Tourism and Wildlife, Najib Balala, told reporters that all the horns had transmitters and electronic chips, proving that they came from the dead rhinos.

They were part of a group of rhinos that were relocated to Tsavo East National Park.

Transporting wildlife is used by conservationists to help build up or bring back animal populations.