Category Archives: Habitat Preservation

Born Free Foundation Working Closely With Soysambu Conservancy.

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By Duncan and Beatrice.

When it comes to conservation,all stakeholholders must work together because they all  work for only nothing but a better world and a healthy environment.This is why  the Soysambu Conservancy has been working very closely with the Born Free Foundation in sensitizing the residents within and without the conservancy on conservation.We organised  two successfull sessions in Soysambu at Mbaruk Store and Headquarters commnly referred as ”heady”.The  audio visual equipment was provided by the Born Free Foundation,the staff /resource personnels were drawn from the Kenya Wildlife Service,Soysambu Consrvancy and Born Free Foundation.The audience composed of the schooling  young ,the working /staff  and  the old.Film  on conservation threat mainly on bush meat consumption was shown,the Mizoga(Carcases).This film enlightened the audience about the dangers posed by snares to the animals and also threat of consuming the bush meat.The Born Free Foundtion Staff also participated in ensuring smooth darting   and transport of tranquillized Rothschild giraffe to their pen.We hope to continue  working closely in future.

ROTHSCHILD GIRAFFE TRANSLOCATION ENDS.

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By DUNCAN ODUOR AND BEATRICE LIMO-Soysambu Research  Centre

It has been a major success tranquilizing 8 Rothschild giraffes  and move them to their holding pen where they are going to stay for two weeks before final journey to  Ruko Conservancy in Baringo.The  two males and six females  “family” are now settling and  will be fed on freshly cut branches of accacia and other indigenous plants,lucern,pellets and  fresh water supply. Competent team will be taking care of them within the pen before the translocation.

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Already loaded candidate ready for move to the pen.

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darting process on tranquilized candidate.

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The darting process continues…

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The final 8 candidates in their pen in Soysambu Conservancy.

ROTHSCHILD GIRAFFE TRANSLOCATION FROM SOYSAMBU.

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By Duncan Oduor and Beatrice Limo

The translocation of  the the Rothschild  giraffe got underway on Saturday.The exercise which was very successful on the first day will enable  a number of these animals moved to their new home in Ruko Conservancy,Baringo.A team of competent staff drawn from Kenya wildlife service,Soysambu Conservancy,Lewa wildlife conservancy,Ruko wild lfe conservancy,Volunteers and other participants are working together to ensure the succesful completion of this very important activity in the conservation of the Rothschild Giraffe.

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS VISITS SOYSAMBU.

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By Duncan Oduor and Beatrice Limo

The Soysambu Conservancy is glad of the three days visit by the George Mason university students. The students also toured Kiboko primary school within the Soysambu where they donated few textbooks, crayons, notebooks, and golf balls for pupils and others. We had wonderful time with them and welcome them again and again. The leaders of the students, Guy and Ryan were so great for the logistics to make sure their travel was smooth, thank you for good work.DINNER TIMETHE FIRST DINNER AT THE RESEARCH CENTRE

Great white pelicans in Soysambu conservancy

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Great White Pelican

Scientific Name: Pelecanus onocrotalus

By Duncan Oduor and Ezekiel Chebii

Soysambu Research Center

World Distribution

Great white pelicans are found in Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa. The ones in Africa stay here throughout the year, but the others fly from Eastern Europe (migrate) to Africa in the winter because they do not like cold weather.

Habitat

Great white pelicans spend a great deal of their time in the water. They usually choose large, freshwater lakes that have reed beds or small islands that can be used as safe places to nest as in lake Elmenteita.

Feeding

They feed mainly on fish, though they sometimes eat crustaceans (shrimp-like creatures). They usually fish in shallow water. They feed on Tilapia grahami in lake Elmenteita.

  • Use pouch to scoop up several litres of water with fish swimming.
  • Lift head up and squeeze pouch to get rid of water.
  • Swallow fish.

They often use teamwork when feeding: a group of 8-12 birds swim into a horseshoe shape to surround the fish, then, all together, they plunge in their beaks and scoop them out.

Predators

Vultures, eagles, jackals, hyenas and lions could eat young pelicans. Adults are sometimes preyed by crocodiles.

SOY87swaraPelicans breeding site in Lake Elementaita

Breeding

Pelicans often breed in large colonies of 40,000 to 50,000 pairs. Nests are usually just a rough pile of twigs on the ground. Two eggs are laid, which both parents keep warm by taking turns to rest them on their feet. After 29-36 days the eggs hatch into bald, helpless chicks which the parents feed from a special liquid that runs down their beaks. The chicks are able to fly when they are 10 – 12 weeks old, but will not be ready to breed themselves until they are aged 3-4 years.

Other important facts

  • Males are larger than females and have larger beaks.
  • The little hook on the end of the beak is used for preening (combing) the feathers to keep them in perfect condition for flying. Special oil keeps them waterproof.
  • Pelicans are light for their size (5 – 9 kg) because of air spaces in the bones and under the skin.

Pelicans lifespan in the wild is 15 -20 years while in captivity they can stay for 60 years.

Facts and Figures About Great White Pelicans
Name Great white pelican
Type of animal Bird
Where found Africa, Europe
Habitat Lakes
Diet Carnivorous
Average length 170 cm
Average weight 9 kg
Average number of young per year 2
Egg incubation 32 days
Maximum lifespan 27 years