National Wildlife Census of 2024 began on Wednesday, June 19, in Narok County, marking a milestone in the ongoing commitment to the conservation and sustainable management of wildlife heritage.
Speaking during the launch at the Airstrip in Narok County, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr. Alfred Mutua said the comprehensive wildlife data obtained from wildlife censuses would provide current information to support development of the counties spatial plans, as well as protected areas and ecosystems management plans.
“Some of the iconic species counted were elephants (36,280), black rhino (897), white rhino (842), lions (2,589), hyenas (5,189), cheetahs (1,160) and wild dogs (865) amongst others,” he said.
The CS added that the data has been used to identify important wildlife areas and therefore establish community conservancies, for example in Narok, Garissa and other Northern counties.
During the 2021 wildlife census, he said, 343,380km2, which is equivalent to 59 per cent of Kenya’s land mass was covered, whereby over 30 species of mammals, birds and marine species were counted in various ecosystems during the exercise.
The CS was accompanied by Governor Patrick Ntutu, Tourism Principal Secretary (PS) John Olotua, Deputy governor Tamalinye Koech, chairman of Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) Dr. David Nkedienye, Director of WRTI Dr. Patrick Omondi and the Director General, Kenya Wildlife Service Dr. Erustus Kanga.
Dr. Omondi said the exercise is usually conducted after every three years and ecologically it was required because of the behavior of animals, particularly the elephants.
He said the Wildlife Research and Training Institute is mandated to conduct comprehensive wildlife censuses, adding that this involves a culmination of meticulous planning, extensive research and collaboration with various other stakeholders.
The Director said that the institute has developed rigorous scientific methodologies to conduct the wildlife census to ensure that they gather reliable data on wildlife populations, including their distribution habitats.
“By employing advanced technologies such as satellite imagery, GPS tracking, and drone surveys, we aim to achieve a level of precision and detail that is unprecedented,” he added.
On his part, Ntutu said the need for counting wildlife plays a critical role in decision making, after knowing the numbers of animals, the animal’s habitat and their behavior.
The governor lauded the passing of the Maasai Mara management plan that it is acting as a tool to conserve wildlife in the Mara ecosystem.
The Director General Kenya Wildlife Service applauded the county government leadership of Narok for the great work they had done so far by passing the Mara Management plan, which has contributed positively towards the conservation of wildlife. -By John Kaleke
