DOCSLIB.ORG

Independent Evaluation of Hirola Antelope Beatragus Hunteri Conservation Status and Conservation Action in Kenya

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Independent Evaluation of Hirola Antelope Beatragus Hunteri Conservation Status and Conservation Action in Kenya A REPORT FOR THE KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE AND THE HIROLA ANTELOPE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 2000 INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF HIROLA ANTELOPE BEATRAGUS HUNTERI CONSERVATION STATUS AND CONSERVATION ACTION IN KENYA Thomas M. Butynski, PhD Senior Conservation Biologist Zoo Atlanta’s Africa Biodiversity Conservation Program National Museums of Kenya INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF HIROLA ANTELOPE BEATRAGUS HUNTERI CONSERVATION STATUS AND CONSERVATION ACTION IN KENYA Two drafts of this report were provided to the Kenya Wildlife Service and to the Hirola Antelope Management Committee for review. The corrections, suggestions and comments of the reviewers have been incorporated into this final report. The views expressed in this report are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kenya Wildlife Service, Hirola Antelope Management Committee, or Zoo Atlanta. Cover: Adult female hirola (Hunter’s antelopes) Beatragus hunteri. This “Critically Endangered” species and genus is endemic to south-east Kenya and south-west Somalia. This illustration, by a “Mr Wolf”, is based on a skin collected by H.C.V. Hunter in 1887 and appeared with Sclater’s (1889) initial description of the hirola. i INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF HIROLA ANTELOPE BEATRAGUS HUNTERI CONSERVATION STATUS AND CONSERVATION ACTION IN KENYA CONTENTS CONTENTS............................................................ ii LIST OF TABLES...................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES.....................................................viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.................................................... x 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................... 1 2. INTRODUCTION.................................................... 3 3. THE NAME “HIROLA”............................................... 5 4. TAXONOMY OF THE HIROLA.......................................... 5 5. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE HIROLA.............................. 7 6. DISTRIBUTION OF THE HIROLA...................................... 11 6.1 Natural Geographic Range in Kenya and Somalia............. 11 6.2 Introduced Population in Tsavo East National Park......... 20 7. POPULATION ESTIMATES, TRENDS AND CURRENT STATUS OF THE HIROLA... 37 7.1 Natural Population in Kenya............................... 37 7.1.1 Problems with the database......................... 37 7.1.2 Early population estimates......................... 37 7.1.3 Aerial censuses by DRSRS and others (1973-96)...... 38 7.1.4 The 1995 KWS census................................ 42 7.1.5 More comments on aerial surveys of savanna antelope populations.................................... 48 7.2 Natural Population in Somalia........................... 51 7.3 Introduced Population in Tsavo East National Park....... 52 7.3.1 The 1963 translocation............................ 52 7.3.2 The 1996 translocation............................ 61 7.4 Captive Population....................................... 66 7.5 Conservation Status...................................... 67 7.6 Legal Status.............................................. 68 8. ECOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR OF THE HIROLA........................... 68 8.1 Scientific Studies...................................... 68 8.2 Seasonal Distribution and Movements..................... 69 8.3 Habitat Description...................................... 70 8.4 Habitat Preference....................................... 79 8.5 Diet and Feeding......................................... 83 ii 8.6 Social Organization and Population Structure............. 84 8.7 Reproduction............................................. 88 8.8 Predators................................................ 90 8.9 Diseases................................................. 90 9. WHAT CAUSED THE DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF HIROLA?................ 92 9.1 Introduction............................................. 92 9.2 Food Shortages........................................... 93 9.2.1 Habitat loss and degradation..................... 93 9.2.2 Drought and diseases.............................. 97 9.2.3 Loss of floodplain grasslands................ 98 9.2.4 Competition with livestock.................... 101 9.3 Poaching................................................. 104 9.4 Inbreeding/Demographic Depression........................ 111 9.5 Decline of Arawale National Reserve...................... 111 10. HIROLA TASK FORCE/HIROLA MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE................. 112 10.1 Background............................................... 112 10.2 Terms of Reference....................................... 113 10.2.1 Terms of reference for the Hirola Task Force..... 113 10.2.2 Terms of reference for the Hirola Management Committee.................................... 114 10.3 Action Plan............................................. 115 11. 1996 TRANSLOCATION............................................ 116 11.1 Objectives............................................... 116 11.2 Background............................................... 116 11.3 Personnel................................................ 117 11.4 Capture Method and Numbers Caught/Translocated........... 117 11.5 Sensitization of, and Approval by, People in Garissa District............................................. 118 11.6 The Court Injunction and its Effects.................... 119 11.7 Post Release Monitoring and Research in Tsavo............ 120 11.8 Fenced Sanctuary in Tsavo East National Park............. 120 11.9 Costs of Translocation................................... 121 11.10 Problems and Constraints................................. 122 11.11 Conclusions of the Hirola Task Force..................... 123 12. POPULATION VIABILITY ANALYSIS................................. 124 13. LOCAL HIROLA CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS....................... 127 13.1 Introduction............................................ 127 13.2 Harroru Community Hirola Conservation Group.............. 127 13.3 Arawale Youth Wildlife Community......................... 131 13.4 One Community Based Organization for Hirola Conservation. 132 14. EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: RESEARCH....................... 133 14.1 Evaluation............................................... 133 14.2 Recommendations.......................................... 133 14.2.1 Research on the Tsavo hirola population.......... 133 14.2.1.1 Conduct a total population count in Tsavo every 3 years................. 133 iii 14.2.1.2 Assess the genetic health of Tsavo population......................... 134 14.2.2 Research on the natural hirola population....... 134 14.2.2.1 Transfer the focus of the field research programme from Tsavo to the natural population............. 134 14.2.2.2 Closely monitor the relative size and trend of thenatural population....... 134 14.2.2.3 Support research by Kenyan and Somali students.............................. 140 14.2.2.4 Retrieve missing 1995 KWS hirola census data........................... 143 14.2.2.5 Rewrite the 1995 KWS hirola census report.............................. 143 14.2.2.6 Establish three hirola information bases in Nairobi........................... 144 14.2.2.7 Conduct more PVAs..................... 144 15. EVALUATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: TRANSLOCATIONS............... 145 15.1 Evaluations.............................................. 145 15.1.1 The 1963 translocation........................... 145 15.1.2 The 1996 translocation........................... 145 15.2 Comments on the 1996 Translocation....................... 146 15.2.1 Capture methods and choice of age groups......... 146 15.2.2 Building predator - proof sanctuaries............ 149 15.2.3 Placing radio collars on hirola.................. 152 15.3 Recommendations.......................................... 154 15.3.1 The Hirola Translocation Subcommittee‘s recommendations for future translocations.... 154 15.3.2 Recommendations from this evaluation............. 156 15.3.2.1 Translocation method and age group.... 156 15.3.2.2 Predator-proof sanctuaries............. 156 15.3.2.3 Radio collars......................... 157 15.3.2.4 Collection of data..................... 157 15.3.2.5 Information on the 1996 translocation. 158 16. EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: ESTABLISHING NEW POPULATIONS... 158 16.1 The Need for more Populations of Hirola.................. 158 16.2 KWS Managed Areas vs Private Game Ranches as Translocation Sites................................. 159 16.3 Evaluation of Potential Sites for Hirola Translocation... 161 16.3.1 Background....................................... 161 16.3.2 National Parks and National Reserves............. 161 16.3.2.1 West bank of the Tana River Primate National Reserve....................... 161 16.3.2.2 Tsavo East National Park.............. 161 iv 16.3.2.3 Tsavo West National Park.............. 162 16.3.2.4 Nairobi National Park.................. 162 16.3.2.5 Meru National Park..................... 163 16.3.3 Private game ranches............................ 163 16.3.3.1 Boabab Farm, Mombasa................... 163 16.3.3.2 Hilton Wildlife Sanctuary, Taita Hills.. 163 16.3.3.3 Athi River Game Ranching............... 164 16.3.3.4 Lewa Downs Wildlife Sanctuary.......... 164 16.3.3 5 01 Jogi (Pyramid) Wildlife Sanctuary... 165 16.3.4 Priority sites for establishing hirola populations 166 16.4 Establishing a Captive Population........................ 166 16.4.1 Evaluation....................................... 166 16.4.2 Recommendations.................................. 167 16.5 Removing more Hirola from the Natural Population......... 168 17. EVALUATION AND
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 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).
    [Show full text]
  • Baseline Review and Ecosystem Services Assessment of the Tana River Basin, Kenya
    IWMI Working Paper Baseline Review and Ecosystem Services Assessment of the Tana 165 River Basin, Kenya Tracy Baker, Jeremiah Kiptala, Lydia Olaka, Naomi Oates, Asghar Hussain and Matthew McCartney Working Papers The publications in this series record the work and thinking of IWMI researchers, and knowledge that the Institute’s scientific management feels is worthy of documenting. This series will ensure that scientific data and other information gathered or prepared as a part of the research work of the Institute are recorded and referenced. Working Papers could include project reports, case studies, conference or workshop proceedings, discussion papers or reports on progress of research, country-specific research reports, monographs, etc. Working Papers may be copublished, by IWMI and partner organizations. Although most of the reports are published by IWMI staff and their collaborators, we welcome contributions from others. Each report is reviewed internally by IWMI staff. The reports are published and distributed both in hard copy and electronically (www.iwmi.org) and where possible all data and analyses will be available as separate downloadable files. Reports may be copied freely and cited with due acknowledgment. About IWMI IWMI’s mission is to provide evidence-based solutions to sustainably manage water and land resources for food security, people’s livelihoods and the environment. IWMI works in partnership with governments, civil society and the private sector to develop scalable agricultural water management solutions that have
    [Show full text]
  • Beatragus Hunteri) in Arawale National Reserve, Northeastern, Kenya
    The population size, abundance and distribution of the Critically Endangered Hirola Antelope (Beatragus hunteri) in Arawale National Reserve, Northeastern, Kenya. Francis Kamau Muthoni Terra Nuova, Transboundary Environmental Project, P.O. Box 74916, Nairobi, Kenya Email: [email protected] 1.0. Abstract. This paper outlines the spatial distribution, population size, habitat preferences and factors causing the decline of Hirola antelope in Arawale National Reserve (ANR) in Garissa and Ijara districts, north eastern Kenya. The reserve covers an area of 540Km2. The objectives of the study were to gather baseline information on hirola distribution, population size habitat preferences and human activities impacting on its existence. A sampling method using line transect count was used to collect data used to estimate the distribution of biological populations (Norton-Griffiths, 1978). Community scouts collected data using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and recorded on standard datasheets for 12 months. Transect walks were done from 6.00Am to 10.00Am every 5th day of the month. The data was entered into a geo-database and analysed using Arcmap, Ms Excel and Access. The results indicate that the population of hirola in Arawale National Reserve were 69 individuals comprising only 6% of the total population in the natural geographic range of hirola estimated to be 1,167 individuals. It also revealed that hirola prefer open bushes and grasslands. The decline of the Hirola on its natural range is due to a combination of factors, including, habitat loss and degradation, competition with livestock, poaching and drought. Key words: Hirola Antelope Beatragus hunteri, GIS, Endangered Species 2.0. Introduction. The Hirola antelope (Beatragus hunteri) is a “Critically Endangered” species endemic to a small area in Southeast Kenya and Southwest Somalia.
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluating Support for Rangeland‐Restoration Practices by Rural Somalis
    Animal Conservation. Print ISSN 1367-9430 Evaluating support for rangeland-restoration practices by rural Somalis: an unlikely win-win for local livelihoods and hirola antelope? A. H. Ali1,2,3 ,R.Amin4, J. S. Evans1,5, M. Fischer6, A. T. Ford7, A. Kibara3 & J. R. Goheen1 1 Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA 2 National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya 3 Hirola Conservation Programme, Garissa, Kenya 4 Conservation Programmes, Zoological Society of London, London, UK 5 The Nature Conservancy, Fort Collins, CO, USA 6 Center for Conservation in the Horn of Africa, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO, USA 7 Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada Keywords Abstract Beatragus hunteri; elephant; endangered species; habitat degradation; rangeland; In developing countries, governments often lack the authority and resources to restoration; tree encroachment; antelope. implement conservation outside of protected areas. In such situations, the integra- tion of conservation with local livelihoods is crucial to species recovery and rein- Correspondence troduction efforts. The hirola Beatragus hunteri is the world’s most endangered Abdullahi H. Ali, Department of Zoology and antelope, with a population of <500 individuals that is restricted to <5% of its his- Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, torical geographic range on the Kenya–Somali border. Long-term hirola declines WY, USA. have been attributed to a combination of disease and rangeland degradation. Tree Email: [email protected] encroachment—driven by some combination of extirpation of elephants, overgraz- ing by livestock, and perhaps fire suppression—is at least partly responsible for Editor: Darren Evans habitat loss and the decline of contemporary populations.
    [Show full text]
  • The Hirola Conservation Programme (Hcp) Progress Report, October, 2015
    THE HIROLA CONSERVATION PROGRAMME (HCP) PROGRESS REPORT, OCTOBER, 2015 The Hirola Conservation Programme (HCP) is a non-governmental organization based in Garissa County in north-eastern Kenya. The HCP is primarily dedicated to promoting conservation of the endangered hirola antelope (Beatragus hunteri) in the region (Figure 1). Towards this, HCP commits itself to improving hirola’s habitat in partnership with the local pastoralist groups. The main goal of HCP is to establish and sustain a conservation programme that will make a lasting contribution to the future of hirola antelope and also the livelihoods of the local communities living within hirola’s geographical range. One of the key concerns for conservation of hirola antelope is Figure 1: Herd of hirola within Ishaqbini Conservancy. that, their population have declined from approximately 15,000 individuals in 1970 to between 300 and 500 individuals currently. That is why our programme focuses on in situ conservation within the species historic geographical range to ensure that we achieve our objective in partnership with local communities. Specifically, for long-term monitoring of this critically-endangered species, the programme intends to protect and increase the numbers and distribution of hirola through local participatory conservation, education, and international support in north-eastern Kenya. Our core functions include: A) Conservation Our conservation efforts are threefold 1) The protection and restoration of habitat for the endangered hirola antelope 2) Anti-poaching programme for hirola, elephants and other wildlife and, 3) Capacity building and technical advice to both local government officials and local groups. B) Research Our research programme is a locally supported conservation research effort that aims at understanding the underlying factors influencing hirola declines and to explore the best management interventions to improve their population.
    [Show full text]
  • Reproductive Seasonality in Captive Wild Ruminants: Implications for Biogeographical Adaptation, Photoperiodic Control, and Life History
    Zurich Open Repository and Archive University of Zurich Main Library Strickhofstrasse 39 CH-8057 Zurich www.zora.uzh.ch Year: 2012 Reproductive seasonality in captive wild ruminants: implications for biogeographical adaptation, photoperiodic control, and life history Zerbe, Philipp Abstract: Zur quantitativen Beschreibung der Reproduktionsmuster wurden Daten von 110 Wildwiederkäuer- arten aus Zoos der gemässigten Zone verwendet (dabei wurde die Anzahl Tage, an denen 80% aller Geburten stattfanden, als Geburtenpeak-Breite [BPB] definiert). Diese Muster wurden mit verschiede- nen biologischen Charakteristika verknüpft und mit denen von freilebenden Tieren verglichen. Der Bre- itengrad des natürlichen Verbreitungsgebietes korreliert stark mit dem in Menschenobhut beobachteten BPB. Nur 11% der Spezies wechselten ihr reproduktives Muster zwischen Wildnis und Gefangenschaft, wobei für saisonale Spezies die errechnete Tageslichtlänge zum Zeitpunkt der Konzeption für freilebende und in Menschenobhut gehaltene Populationen gleich war. Reproduktive Saisonalität erklärt zusätzliche Varianzen im Verhältnis von Körpergewicht und Tragzeit, wobei saisonalere Spezies für ihr Körpergewicht eine kürzere Tragzeit aufweisen. Rückschliessend ist festzuhalten, dass Photoperiodik, speziell die abso- lute Tageslichtlänge, genetisch fixierter Auslöser für die Fortpflanzung ist, und dass die Plastizität der Tragzeit unterstützend auf die erfolgreiche Verbreitung der Wiederkäuer in höheren Breitengraden wirkte. A dataset on 110 wild ruminant species kept in captivity in temperate-zone zoos was used to describe their reproductive patterns quantitatively (determining the birth peak breadth BPB as the number of days in which 80% of all births occur); then this pattern was linked to various biological characteristics, and compared with free-ranging animals. Globally, latitude of natural origin highly correlates with BPB observed in captivity, with species being more seasonal originating from higher latitudes.
    [Show full text]
  • GNUSLETTER Volume 37 Number 1
    GNUSLETTER Volume 37 Number 1 ANTELOPE SPECIALIST GROUP July 2020 ISSN 2304-0718 IUCN Species Survival Commission Antelope Specialist Group GNUSLETTER is the biannual newsletter of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Antelope Specialist Group (ASG). First published in 1982 by first ASG Chair Richard D. Estes, the intent of GNUSLETTER, then and today, is the dissemination of reports and information regarding antelopes and their conservation. ASG Members are an important network of individuals and experts working across disciplines throughout Africa and Asia. Contributions (original articles, field notes, other material relevant to antelope biology, ecology, and conservation) are welcomed and should be sent to the editor. Today GNUSLETTER is published in English in electronic form and distributed widely to members and non-members, and to the IUCN SSC global conservation network. To be added to the distribution list please contact [email protected]. GNUSLETTER Review Board Editor, Steve Shurter, [email protected] Co-Chair, David Mallon Co-Chair, Philippe Chardonnet ASG Program Office, Tania Gilbert, Phil Riordan GNUSLETTER Editorial Assistant, Stephanie Rutan GNUSLETTER is published and supported by White Oak Conservation The Antelope Specialist Group Program Office is hosted and supported by Marwell Zoo http://www.whiteoakwildlife.org/ https://www.marwell.org.uk The designation of geographical entities in this report does not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of IUCN, the Species Survival Commission, or the Antelope Specialist Group concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area, or concerning the delimitation of any frontiers or boundaries. Views expressed in Gnusletter are those of the individual authors, Cover photo: Peninsular pronghorn male, El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve (© J.
    [Show full text]
  • Animals of Africa
    Silver 49 Bronze 26 Gold 59 Copper 17 Animals of Africa _______________________________________________Diamond 80 PYGMY ANTELOPES Klipspringer Common oribi Haggard oribi Gold 59 Bronze 26 Silver 49 Copper 17 Bronze 26 Silver 49 Gold 61 Copper 17 Diamond 80 Diamond 80 Steenbok 1 234 5 _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ Cape grysbok BIG CATS LECHWE, KOB, PUKU Sharpe grysbok African lion 1 2 2 2 Common lechwe Livingstone suni African leopard***** Kafue Flats lechwe East African suni African cheetah***** _______________________________________________ Red lechwe Royal antelope SMALL CATS & AFRICAN CIVET Black lechwe Bates pygmy antelope Serval Nile lechwe 1 1 2 2 4 _______________________________________________ Caracal 2 White-eared kob DIK-DIKS African wild cat Uganda kob Salt dik-dik African golden cat CentralAfrican kob Harar dik-dik 1 2 2 African civet _______________________________________________ Western kob (Buffon) Guenther dik-dik HYENAS Puku Kirk dik-dik Spotted hyena 1 1 1 _______________________________________________ Damara dik-dik REEDBUCKS & RHEBOK Brown hyena Phillips dik-dik Common reedbuck _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________African striped hyena Eastern bohor reedbuck BUSH DUIKERS THICK-SKINNED GAME Abyssinian bohor reedbuck Southern bush duiker _______________________________________________African elephant 1 1 1 Sudan bohor reedbuck Angolan bush duiker (closed) 1 122 2 Black rhinoceros** *** Nigerian
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity in Sub-Saharan Africa and Its Islands Conservation, Management and Sustainable Use
    Biodiversity in Sub-Saharan Africa and its Islands Conservation, Management and Sustainable Use Occasional Papers of the IUCN Species Survival Commission No. 6 IUCN - The World Conservation Union IUCN Species Survival Commission Role of the SSC The Species Survival Commission (SSC) is IUCN's primary source of the 4. To provide advice, information, and expertise to the Secretariat of the scientific and technical information required for the maintenance of biologi- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna cal diversity through the conservation of endangered and vulnerable species and Flora (CITES) and other international agreements affecting conser- of fauna and flora, whilst recommending and promoting measures for their vation of species or biological diversity. conservation, and for the management of other species of conservation con- cern. Its objective is to mobilize action to prevent the extinction of species, 5. To carry out specific tasks on behalf of the Union, including: sub-species and discrete populations of fauna and flora, thereby not only maintaining biological diversity but improving the status of endangered and • coordination of a programme of activities for the conservation of bio- vulnerable species. logical diversity within the framework of the IUCN Conservation Programme. Objectives of the SSC • promotion of the maintenance of biological diversity by monitoring 1. To participate in the further development, promotion and implementation the status of species and populations of conservation concern. of the World Conservation Strategy; to advise on the development of IUCN's Conservation Programme; to support the implementation of the • development and review of conservation action plans and priorities Programme' and to assist in the development, screening, and monitoring for species and their populations.
    [Show full text]
  • Travel Advisories and Their Impact on Tourism-Case Study of Kenya 2000 – 2014
    UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI INSTITUTE OF DIPLOMACY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES TRAVEL ADVISORIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON TOURISM- CASE STUDY OF KENYA 2000 – 2014 RAZOAH M. KEREDA VITISIA R50/ 67763/ 2013 A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI 2015 i DECLARATION This project is my original work and has never been presented to any other university for the award of a Master‟s Degree. Signature………………………… Date…………………………………… RAZOAH MUDEMA VITISIA R50/ 67763/ 2013 Supervisor This project has been submitted for examination with my approval as university supervisor. Signature……………………………. Date……………………………… Name: MR. GERRISHON K. IKIARA ii DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my family: my husband Ken Vitisia, my son Brian Vitisia and my daughter Brenda Vitisia. One would never ask for a better family than what I have. Thanks for your moral support and understanding during my study period. To God be the Glory for His sufficient Grace and Mercies. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I offer my gratitude to the IDIS Faculty, staff and my fellow students at the University of Nairobi who have inspired me to undertake work in this field by providing insightful Knowledge on this subject matter and international relations. I owe particular thanks to my Supevisor Mr. Gerrishon Ikiara for his consisent feedback and whose penetrating questions taught me to think more deeply through the process. Special thanks to my parents, siblings, and friends for supporting and encouraging me the entire time. I can attest to the saying “What has a beginning has an end”. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Declaration ....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Transboundary Species Project
    TRANSBOUNDARY SPECIES PROJECT ROAN, SABLE AND TSESSEBE Rowan B. Martin Species Report for Roan, Sable and Tsessebe in support of The Transboundary Mammal Project of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Namibia facilitated by The Namibia Nature Foundation and World Wildlife Fund Living in a Finite Environment (LIFE) Programme Cover picture adapted from the illustrations by Clare Abbott in The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion by Reay H.N. Smithers Published by the University of Pretoria Republic of South Africa 1983 Transboundary Species Project – Background Study Roan, Sable and Tsessebe CONTENTS 1. BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION ...................................... 1 a. Taxonomy ..................................................... 1 b. Physical description .............................................. 3 c. Habitat ....................................................... 6 d. Reproduction and Population Dynamics ............................. 12 e. Distribution ................................................... 14 f. Numbers ..................................................... 24 g. Behaviour .................................................... 38 h. Limiting Factors ............................................... 40 2. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE THREE SPECIES ........................... 43 a. Conservation Significance ........................................ 43 b. Economic Significance ........................................... 44 3. STAKEHOLDING ................................................. 48 a. Stakeholders .................................................
    [Show full text]
  • THE AFRICAN LION (Panthera Leo Leo): a CONTINENT-WIDE SPECIES DISTRIBUTION STUDY and POPULATION ANALYSIS
    THE AFRICAN LION (Panthera leo leo): A CONTINENT-WIDE SPECIES DISTRIBUTION STUDY AND POPULATION ANALYSIS by Jason S. Riggio Dr. Stuart L. Pimm, Advisor May 2011 Masters project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Environmental Management degree in the Nicholas School of the Environment of Duke University 2011 Abstract Human population growth and land conversion across Africa makes the future of wide-ranging carnivores uncertain. For example, the African lion (Panthera leo leo) once ranged across the entire con- tinent – with the exception of the Sahara Desert and rainforests. It now lives in less than a quarter of its historic range. Recent research estimates a loss of nearly half of the lions in the past two decades. Some sources put their numbers as low as 20,000 individuals. Given these declines, conservation organ- izations propose to list the African lion as “endangered” under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and to upgrade the species’ CITES protections from Appendix II to Appendix I. To establish the lion’s current conservation status, I analyzed the size, distribution, and potential connections of populations across its range in Africa. It is particularly important to identify connected sub-populations and areas that can serve as corridors between existing protected areas. I compile the most current scientific literature, comparing sources to identify a current population estimate. I also use these sources to map known lion populations, potential habitat patches, and the connections between them. Finally, I assess the long-term viability of each lion population and determine which qualify as “lion strongholds.” The lion population assessment in this study has shown that over 30,000 lions remain in approx- imately 3,000,000 km2 of Africa.
    [Show full text]