Meru National Park
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The Kenya Wildlife Service at Its Best
ihe Kenya wild Life service Iru the 2±st century: "Protective cqlobally significant Areas and Resoutrces The George Wright Forum The GWS Journal of Parks, Protected Areas & Cultural Sites volume 29 number 1 • 2012 Origins Founded in 1980, the George Wright Society is organized for the pur poses of promoting the application of knowledge, fostering communica tion, improving resource management, and providing information to improve public understanding and appreciation of the basic purposes of natural and cultural parks and equivalent reserves. The Society is dedicat ed to the protection, preservation, and management of cultural and natu ral parks and reserves through research and education. Mission The George Wright Society advances the scientific and heritage values of parks and protected areas. The Society promotes professional research and resource stewardship across natural and cultural disciplines, provides avenues of communication, and encourages public policies that embrace these values. Our Goal The Society strives to be the premier organization connecting people, places, knowledge, and ideas to foster excellence in natural and cultural resource management, research, protection, and interpretation in parks and equivalent reserves. Board of Directors BRENT A. MITCHELL, PRESIDENT • Ipswich, Massachusetts MOLLY N. ROSS, VICE PRESIDENT • Arlington, Virginia DAVIDJ. PARSONS, SECRETARY • Florence, Montana GARY E. DAVIS, TREASURER • Thousand Oaks, California BRAD BARR • Woods Hole, Massachusetts NATHALIE GAGNON • Ottawa, Ontario BARRETT KENNEDY • Baton Rouge, Louisiana FRANKJ. PRIZNAR • Gaithersburg, Maryland JANW. VAN WAGTEN'DONK • El Portal, California JOHN WAITHAKA • Ottawa, Ontario LYNN WILSON • Cobble Hill, British Columbia GRADUATE STUDENT LIAISON TO THE BOARD CARENA J. VAN RIPER • College Station, Texas Executive Office DAVID HARMON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMILY DEKKER-FIALA, CONFERENCE COORDINATOR P. -
Kenya Soe Ch4 A
PART 2 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT 61 CHAPTER BIODIVERSITY4 Introduction The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) defi nes biodiversity as Kenya’s rich biodiversity Lead Authors ‘the variability among living organisms from all sources including, can be attributed to a number Ali A. Ali and Monday S. Businge among others, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and of factors, including a long Contributing Authors S. M. Mutune, Jane Kibwage, Ivy Achieng, the ecological complexes of which they are part [and] includes diversity evolutionary history, variable Godfrey Mwangi, David Ongare, Fred Baraza, within species, between species and of ecosystems.’ Biodiversity climatic conditions, and diverse Teresa Muthui, Lawrence M. Ndiga, Nick Mugi therefore comprises genetic and species diversity of animals and plants habitat types and ecosystems. Reviewer as well as ecosystem diversity. Kenya is endowed with an enormous The major biodiversity Nathan Gichuki diversity of ecosystems and wildlife species which live in the terrestrial, concentration sites fall within aquatic and aerial environment. These biological resources are the existing protected areas fundamental to national prosperity as a source of food, medicines, network (national parks, reserves and sanctuaries) which are mostly energy, shelter, employment and foreign exchange. For instance, managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). However, over 70 percent agricultural productivity and development are dependent on the of the national biodiversity occurs outside the protected areas. availability of a wide variety of plant and animal genetic resources and In spite of its immense biotic capital, Kenya experiences severe on the existence of functional ecological systems, especially those that ecological and socio-economic problems. -
Driving Directions
Routes from Nairobi to Rhino River Camp (by road). (Consider a six hours drive). From central Nairobi (via Museum Hill) take Thika road. Past Thika and before Sagana there is a junction: to the left the road goes towards Nyeri and Nanyuki, to the right it goes to Embu. First option: going left toward Nyeri-Nanyuki. Drive through Sagana, then Karitina. After 13 kms, there is a junction where you should turn right. At junction, instead of going straight to the road bound to Nyeri, take the road towards Naro Moru and Mt. Kenya. After Nanyuki proceed straight to Meru. The only major junction in the road Nanyuki-Meru is the one going to Isiolo which you disregard and proceed straight to Meru Town. At Meru Town, at the first major junction (see Shell station on your left), turn left toward Maua. After driving about 45 kms over the Nyambeni hills on this road find the junction at 2 km before Maua. This junction is plenty of signposts one of which is a KWS sign with Meru National Park. Turn left and start descending towards Meru National Park; proceed for 25 km until Murera Gate (main gate) of the Park. In the Park: Enter the Park and go for about 1.5 km till you reach the old gate. Do a sharp right turn immediately after the old gate (in fact is more of a U turn) and enter the Rhino Sanctuary passing under an elephant wired fence. Follow the Park fence going South. The fence is on your right and there are a few deviation but you have to always go back to the fence. -
Conservation and Management Strategy for the Elephant in Kenya 2012-2021
Conservation and Management Strategy for the Elephant in Kenya 2012-2021 Compiled by: Moses Litoroh, Patrick Omondi, Richard Kock and Rajan Amin Plate 4. Winds 2 Family crossing the Ewaso Ng’iro River, Samburu National Reserve - Lucy King, Save the Elephants ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, we thank the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director, Julius Kipng’etich and KWS Board of Trustees for approving this as a priority activity amongst the core business of KWS. Conservation and We also sincerely thank Keith Lindsay, Winnie Kiiru and Noah Sitati for preparing Management Strategy the background information and facilitating the eleven consultative for the Elephant stakeholder-workshops that were held across the country. This ensured the in Kenya views of as many stakeholders as possible were accommodated into this strategy document. Special thanks to all the stakeholders of the final strategy 2012-2021 development workshop, held at Mpala Research Centre, Nanyuki, which © Kenya Wildlife Service included representatives from United Republic of Tanzania; Uganda Government and the Government of Southern Sudan that finally formulated this National Elephant Management and Conservation Strategy. Our sincere gratitude also to the following individuals for reviewing the first draft : Munira Anyonge Bashir, Julian Blanc, Holly Dublin, Francis Gakuya, Ian Douglas-Hamilton, Ben Kavu, Juliet King, Lucy King, Margaret Kinnaird, Ben Okita, Lamin Seboko, Noah Sitati, Diane Skinner, Richard Vigne and David Western. Frontcover: We are greatly indebted to the following institutions for funding the formulation of this strategy : Born Free Foundation; CITES MIKE Programme; Darwin Initiative Plate 1. African Elephant. Samantha Roberts, Zoological / CETRAD; KWS; People’s Trust for Endangered Species; Tusk Trust; United States Society of London Fish and Wildlife Service; World Wildlife Fund (EARPO) and Zoological Society of London (ZSL). -
MARA CHEETAH CUBS REPORT Cee4life
MARA CHEETAH CUBS REPORT Risk of Local Extinction of Cheetah in the Mara Ecosystem, Animal Welfare Issue at Nairobi Orphanage and Alleged Illegal Cub Trade in Kenya A Report on the Mara Cheetah Cubs Removal, the Critical Status of Mara Cheetah and the Ethics of Captive Care Facilitated and par-cipated in by: cee4life MARA CHEETAH CUBS REPORT Risk of Local Extinction of Cheetah in the Mara Ecosystem, Animal Welfare Issue at Nairobi Orphanage and Alleged Illegal Cub Trade in Kenya Facilitated and par-cipated in by: cee4life.org Melbourne Victoria, Australia +61409522054 http://www.cee4life.org/ [email protected] 2 Contents Section 1 Introduction!!!!!!!! !!1.1 Location!!!!!!!!5 !!1.2 Methods!!!!!!!!5! Section 2 Cheetahs Status in Kenya!! ! ! ! ! !!2.1 Cheetah Status in Kenya!!!!!!5 !!2.2 Cheetah Status in the Masai Mara!!!!!6 !!2.3 Mara Cheetah Population Decline!!!!!7 Section 3 Mara Cub Rescue!! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!3.1 Abandoned Cub Rescue!!!!!!9 !!3.2 The Mother Cheetah!!!!!!10 !!3.3 Initial Capture & Protocols!!!!!!11 !!3.4 Rehabilitation Program Design!!!!!11 !!3.5 Human Habituation Issue!!!!!!13 Section 4 Mara Cub Removal!!!!!!! !!4.1 The Relocation of the Cubs Animal Orphanage!!!15! !!4.2 The Consequence of the Mara Cub Removal!!!!16 !!4.3 The Truth Behind the Mara Cub Removal!!!!16 !!4.4 Past Captive Cheetah Advocations!!!!!18 Section 5 Cheetah Rehabilitation!!!!!!! !!5.1 Captive Wild Release of Cheetahs!!!!!19 !!5.2 Historical Cases of Cheetah Rehabilitation!!!!19 !!5.3 Cheetah Rehabilitation in Kenya!!!!!20 Section 6 KWS Justifications -
BEST of KENYA “A Migration Safari” JULY 26 – AUGUST 6, 2022
BEST OF KENYA “A Migration Safari” JULY 26 – AUGUST 6, 2022 $4950 per person plus international airfare Single Room Supplement - $2250 Kenya is renowned for its unparalleled wildlife, habitat diversity and fascinating cultural heritage. A wide range of ecological zones, semi-arid plains and vast savannahs, tropical montane forests, rugged wilderness, acacia woodlands, and rugged wilderness, provide for a tremendous array of fauna and flora. Under a limitless sapphire sky thrives an animal population, staggering in both diversity and number. Here, elephant, zebra, leopard, lion, rhinoceros, giraffe, cheetah and baboon have lived and adapted for eons in this ancient landscape, alongside more than a thousand colorful bird species and a multitude of butterflies and other insects. Our safari combines superlative wildlife viewing with luxurious comfort and attentive service, while staying in some of Kenya’s finest safari lodges and tented camps, as we explore in depth, this magical land known as the “Gem of Africa.” SAFARI ITINERARY DAY 1 – JULY 26 - DEPART USA DAY 2 – JULY 27 - ARRIVE NAIROBI (NBO) Upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by Safari Legacy and transferred to your hotel for check in. Overnight Crown Plaza Hotel. (meals in-flight) https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/nairobi/nbocp/hoteldetail DAY 3 – JULY 28 - NAIROBI / TRAIN TO VOI / TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK & TAITA HILLS CONSERVANCY After breakfast, board your train and enjoy a scenic 4-hour train excursion to Voi Station where you will be met by your Safari Legacy Safari guides. Continue to the Taita Hills Conservancy arriving at Salt Lick Safari Lodge in time for lunch. -
KO RA N Ationalpark, Asako Village,Kenya
A B K George Adamson loved Kora as one of the last true y O T s wildernesses in Kenya. Inaccessible, thorny and o boiling hot as it was, it was ideal refuge for him, n a R y his lions and his ideals although he was under F k enormous pressure from Somali tribesmen, their i A t stock and their guns. Ultimately he fell to their z o j guns, but that was something we were both o h N prepared to accept for the privilege of the way of n v life there and what we were able to achieve. a i George desperately wanted me to continue his l t l work there and to make sure that all our efforts George Adamson’s camp, rebuilt by GAWPT a i had not been in vain. It was out of the question at o the time as the politics then were in disarray and I g n had taken on The Mkomazi Project in Tanzania in e George’s name, which was and still is a difficult a and time-consuming task with never an end in , sight. l K P Times have changed. Domestic stock is still a e problem in Kora with on going pastoral incursions. a n But the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) are r y determined to rehabilitate Kora as part of the k Meru conservation area. They have a multi- a , disciplinary approach to the problem and we are George Adamson at Kora 1987 . confident that they will make it work. Poaching of – Photographers International the large mammals has abated almost completely. -
Sustainable Tourism Development in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, East Africa
Sustainable Tourism IV 319 Sustainable tourism development in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, East Africa J. Onchwati, H. Sommerville & N. Brockway Hotel and Tourism Management Institute, Switzerland Abstract The Masai Mara Game Reserve is Kenya’s finest wildlife reserve, one of the world’s top tourist attractions and vital to Kenya’s economy. Recently, concerns have been expressed about the sustainability of tourism given the threats of depletion of indigenous animals, degradation of the landscape and impact on the native Masai Mara tribespeople. The challenge now is to create a sustainable situation that protects the interests of all stakeholders. This paper explores the views of four key stakeholder groups: the Masai people; conservationists including the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Masai Mara Game Reserve management; local tourism and game lodge operators; and government departments. Interviews were carried out with representatives of each stakeholder group to gain insight into their needs from tourism and whether these needs are currently met; suggestions for short- and long-term tourism developments; and the economic implications of tourism in the Masai Mara. Interview data were supplemented by an extensive period of observation. The findings indicate that the growth of tourism and the lack of resources to manage tourism are leading to persistent tensions between stakeholders and presenting long-term threats to the tourism industry. Overpopulation, changes in land use, poaching, deforestation, land degradation, conflicts due to unequal sharing of revenue, poor infrastructure and insecurity all contribute to these tensions. All stakeholders agreed that urgent action is required and lessons must be learned in order to sustain tourism and ensure the Masai Mara is preserved for future generations. -
Medicine in the Wild: Strategies Towards Healthy and Breeding Wildlife Populations in Kenya
Medicine in the Wild: Strategies towards Healthy and Breeding Wildlife Populations in Kenya David Ndeereh, Vincent Obanda, Dominic Mijele, and Francis Gakuya Introduction The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has a Veterinary and Capture Services Department at its headquarters in Nairobi, and four satellite clinics strategically located in key conservation areas to ensure quick response and effective monitoring of diseases in wildlife. The depart- ment was established in 1990 and has grown from a rudimentary unit to a fully fledged department that is regularly consulted on matters of wildlife health in the eastern Africa region and beyond. It has a staff of 48, comprising 12 veterinarians, 1 ecologist, 1 molecular biologist, 2 animal health technicians, 3 laboratory technicians, 4 drivers, 23 capture rangers, and 2 subordinate staff. The department has been modernizing its operations to meet the ever-evolving challenges in conservation and management of biodiversity. Strategies applied in managing wildlife diseases Rapid and accurate diagnosis of conditions and diseases affecting wildlife is essential for facilitating timely treatment, reducing mortalities, and preventing the spread of disease. This also makes it possible to have an early warning of disease outbreaks, including those that could spread to livestock and humans. Besides reducing the cost of such epidemics, such an approach ensures healthy wildlife populations. The department’s main concern is the direct threat of disease epidemics to the survival and health of all wildlife populations, with emphasis on endangered wildlife populations. Also important are issues relating to public health, livestock production, and rural liveli- hoods, each of which has important consequences for wildlife management. -
Meru National Park Kenya
Meru National Park Kenya Offbeat Meru Camp is a 12 bed traditional semi-permanent camp situated just outside Meru National Park in the Bisanadi National Reserve, set above the pretty Bisanadi River. Meru National Park offers visitors a chance to visit one of Kenya’s most magical parks away from the masses. The park has a wide variety of landscapes and is dominated by savannah, but includes riverine forest and swamps. The park is bisected by 13 rivers which flow towards the Tana River in the south and rise in the Nyambene Hills to the west. The park has excellent game viewing opportunities which include Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant, Black and White Rhino (in one of Kenya’s best areas with over 60 Rhino in total), Eland, Gerenuk, Beisa Oryx, Grant’s Gazelle, Grevy’s Zebra, Lesser Kudu and Reticulated Giraffe as well as over 280 species of birds. Accommodation The camps itself comprises of six tents, three twins and three doubles (an extra bed can be added to make a triple). Each tent is furnished with a with a huge iron bed, mosquito net and has its own en-suite shower room, with traditional hot bucket shower and flushing loo. In addition, there is 24 hour solar lighting in the tents, whilst the rest of the camp is lit by traditional tilly lamps. Informal dining is hosted in the mess tent or usually outside under a canopy of stars. The camp also has a stunning infinity pool overlooking the river below. There is also a spacious living room with comfortable sofas, a writing table and fully stocked bar. -
The Status of Kenya's Elephants
The status of Kenya’s elephants 1990–2002 C. Thouless, J. King, P. Omondi, P. Kahumbu, I. Douglas-Hamilton The status of Kenya’s elephants 1990–2002 © 2008 Save the Elephants Save the Elephants PO Box 54667 – 00200 Nairobi, Kenya first published 2008 edited by Helen van Houten and Dali Mwagore maps by Clair Geddes Mathews and Philip Miyare layout by Support to Development Communication CONTENTS Acknowledgements iv Abbreviations iv Executive summary v Map of Kenya viii 1. Introduction 1 2. Survey techniques 4 3. Data collection for this report 7 4. Tsavo 10 5. Amboseli 17 6. Mara 22 7. Laikipia–Samburu 28 8. Meru 36 9. Mwea 41 10. Mt Kenya (including Imenti Forest) 42 11. Aberdares 47 12. Mau 51 13. Mt Elgon 52 14. Marsabit 54 15. Nasolot–South Turkana–Rimoi–Kamnarok 58 16. Shimba Hills 62 17. Kilifi District (including Arabuko-Sokoke) 67 18. Northern (Wajir, Moyale, Mandera) 70 19. Eastern (Lamu, Garissa, Tana River) 72 20. North-western (around Lokichokio) 74 Bibliography 75 Annexes 83 The status of Kenya’s elephants 1990–2002 AcKnowledgemenTs This report is the product of collaboration between Save the Elephants and Kenya Wildlife Service. We are grateful to the directors of KWS in 2002, Nehemiah Rotich and Joseph Kioko, and the deputy director of security at that time, Abdul Bashir, for their support. Many people have contributed to this report and we are extremely grateful to them for their input. In particular we would like to thank KWS field personnel, too numerous to mention by name, who facilitated our access to field records and provided vital information and insight into the status of elephants in their respective areas. -
Kenyan Birding & Animal Safari Organized by Detroit Audubon and Silent Fliers of Kenya July 8Th to July 23Rd, 2019
Kenyan Birding & Animal Safari Organized by Detroit Audubon and Silent Fliers of Kenya July 8th to July 23rd, 2019 Kenya is a global biodiversity “hotspot”; however, it is not only famous for extraordinary viewing of charismatic megafauna (like elephants, lions, rhinos, hippos, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, etc.), but it is also world-renowned as a bird watcher’s paradise. Located in the Rift Valley of East Africa, Kenya hosts 1054 species of birds--60% of the entire African birdlife--which are distributed in the most varied of habitats, ranging from tropical savannah and dry volcanic- shaped valleys to freshwater and brackish lakes to montane and rain forests. When added to the amazing bird life, the beauty of the volcanic and lava- sculpted landscapes in combination with the incredible concentration of iconic megafauna, the experience is truly breathtaking--that the Africa of movies (“Out of Africa”), books (“Born Free”) and documentaries (“For the Love of Elephants”) is right here in East Africa’s Great Rift Valley with its unparalleled diversity of iconic wildlife and equatorially-located ecosystems. Kenya is truly the destination of choice for the birdwatcher and naturalist. Karibu (“Welcome to”) Kenya! 1 Itinerary: Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi. Our guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight stay in Nairobi. Day 2: After an early breakfast, we will embark on a full day exploration of Nairobi National Park--Kenya’s first National Park. This “urban park,” located adjacent to one of Africa’s most populous cities, allows for the possibility of seeing the following species of birds; Olivaceous and Willow Warbler, African Water Rail, Wood Sandpiper, Great Egret, Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrike, Rosy-breasted and Pangani Longclaw, Yellow-crowned Bishop, Jackson’s Widowbird, Saddle-billed Stork, Cardinal Quelea, Black-crowned Night- heron, Martial Eagle and several species of Cisticolas, in addition to many other unique species.