Category Archives: Endangered Species

FIRE THREATEN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AT SOYSAMBU CONSERVANCY.

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BY:Duncan Oduor and Beatrice Limo.

Fire is a very important tool of managing rangelands in Kenya  and especially when used  properly and at the right time. The fire can also has devastating effects when it’s not controlled or when it is naturally or accidentally caused in the Parks, Conservancies and other rangelands. It is not only unfortunate when the fires are intentionally caused but its impacts can be so great especially to sensitive and  fragile ecosystems and organisms in their natural habitats. Last year most parts of Kenya received adequate rains that led to good harvest of a variety of crops including the staple maize/corns. The rains also helped in the improvement of biomass of both plants and animals.

The Soysambu Conservancy was not left behind in terms of rains ,the rains were so adequate leading to very green   ranges. The warm season has set in for the last few weeks, the vegetation has now wilted, dried and turned brownish. Following the dry weather we are experiencing, the huge challenge and threat remains to be wild fires as the grass is currently tall and strong winds blowing from time to time may make it conducive and a hard task to put off the fires. Unfortunately we have experienced a number of wildfires for the past few weeks mainly along the Nakuru-Nairobi Highway (A104) and including the latest fire that nearly gutted the Sunbird and the coming up Serena Lodge. Due to dedicated effort of teams from the Soysambu Conservancy, the Fire Brigade from Nakuru County Council, The friendly Forces-Police and the Military we have managed to fight all the fires and controlled them to minimal areas as possible. The causes of these fires are unknown and some are believed to have started from the surrounding homes straying into this fragile conservation area. Our way forward is now just to improve the routine patrols, community policing, and awareness creation and prepare for any reported cases and prompt action to avoid huge damage.

Burning vegetation.

Burning vegetation.

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SOYSAMBU CONSERVANCY IS PARTY TO THE WORLD WETLAND DAY

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The World Wetlands Day (WWD) 2011

Theme  of  year : ‘Forests, Water and wetlands’

By Duncan Ouko  and Beatrice Limo.

The Ramsar Convention on wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty  that provides the framework for action and national co-operation  for the conservation, protection and sustainable use of  wetlands .This convention was adopted way back on 2nd February 1971 in Iranian city of Ramsar.The treaty came into force in 1975(the oldest multilateral environmental agreement in the world)This treaty is the only of its kind in the world  dealing with a particular  ecosystem .Kenya  became a party to it in 1990,other member nations cover all geographic areas of the globe.

Government agencies, NGOs, and private sectors have been organizing the celebrations since 1997 on 2nd February to mark the adaption of Ramsar convention including undertaking of actions aimed at raising awareness to the public on wetland values and benefits.

Theme of this year was chosen because this year, 2011 is the UN international year of forests focusing on:

  • Role of forest in wetlands functions,
  • Relationship between forest and wetlands in socio economic development and sustenance,
  • Forested wetland s and the special benefits they offer and biological diversity.

Measures taken by the Kenyan government as a signatory is to ensure wise use of our wetlands including addressing their degradation, encroachment and conflict resolution among users one of the measures has led to the designation of five lakes in Kenya’s   central rift valley as wetlands of international importance, lake Nakuru, Naivasha, Baringo, Bogoria and Elmenteita and ensuring wise use. Lake Elmenteita was recently designated as a wild life Sanctuary.

The national celebration venue was Lake Nakuru National Park commemorating 20 years since the designation of Lake Nakuru as First Kenya’s Wetland of International Importance.

Soysambu Conservancy is protecting a large proportion of the Lake Elementaita, which is one of the Ramsar sites in Kenya and is so privileged to be associated with the celebrations this year and the years to come.

aerial view of Lake Elementaita from Soysambu Conservancy

aerial view of Lake Elementaita from Soysambu Conservancy

Flamingos and Pelicans swimming and wading in Lake Elementaita

Flamingos and Pelicans swimming and wading in Lake Elementaita

Flock of breeding Great White Pelicans in Lake Elementaita

Flock of breeding Great White Pelicans in Lake Elementaita

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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.

Birdlife at Soysambu Conservancy– Lake Elmenteita

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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.