Yes,this is a place you can’t miss to visit.It’s found within soysambu Conservancy situated along Nairobi Nakuru highway.It is a home to students carrying out Research especially wildlife conservation based,we also provide accommodation to volunteers and attachment students, the resource has self contained rooms with warm water,a lab and a conducive environment for relaxation. Welcome ,see and feel it yourself.
By:Beatrice Limo and Duncan Oduor.
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.
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.
THE FIRST DINNER AT THE RESEARCH CENTRE
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.
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.
Pelicans breeding site in Lake Elementaita
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
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 |
I love nature….who came about by referring to it as Mother Nature? Is there Father Nature juxtaposed?
Lake Elmenteita is 20 Km South East of Nakuru Town. It gets its water from Kekopey hot springs at the Southern end and two small streams – Mereroni & Kariandusi flowing from the eastern plateau. Siltation of the Lake from soil erosion is high especially now because of subsistence farming on the upper catchment. We do hope that the water off-take from Mereroni stream will not cause the Lake to dry up again once the rains subside; and that, the Mereroni -Mbaruk Water Resource Users Association (MBARUA) will ensure there is enough water inflow from the streams.
There are about 49 waterfowl species recorded including palearctic migrant, of international importance are populations Greater & Lesser Flamingo and the Pied Avocet.
Greater White Pelican – Pelecanus onocrotalus
They are currently in hundreds at Lake Elmenteita.
The adults are mainly white almost identical to the Pink-Backed Pelican which are greyish white.
Breeding is high during the wet season as the water levels of the Lake are high and rocky outcrops (islands) in the eastern sector are flooded to form islets which are ideal for safe nesting.
They often feed in tightly packed groups, submerging heads and necks in unison. The scene is breathtaking for bird lovers as the waves in the Lake make everything astounding.
Grey Crowned Crane – Balearica regulorum gibbericeps
We spotted four (4) of them today at the riparian area but they flew away without a snap-shot….Grrhhhh.