Category Archives: Endangered Species

SAVE THE PELICANS

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The Pelicans population has been reduced by a man made feature (uncoated electric wire) within Soysambu Conservancy, the deaths occur when these  birds are electrocuted by the wire cutting across the migration route of such birds. The Birds migrate as a flock from Lake Nakuru to Lake Elmenteita. Some are injured and remain walking, some just lie on the terrestrial land, this is not usual for these birds to walk on land as they are  aquatic birds. The migration of these birds to Lake Elmenteita is very vital as this is the only breeding site for such bird species in East Africa.
Attention:
The Kenya Power and Lighting company should chip in and help us to reduce such deaths by having a coated electric wire within our protected areas especially ,the line running within Soysambu conservancy since, the problem has been on since the installation of such a line.

The uncoated electric line Cutting across Soysambu Conservancy.

The uncoated electric line Cutting across Soysambu Conservancy.

pelican walking on terrestrial Land

An Injured Pelican after being Electrocuted by the naked wires.

Dead pelicans along the Electric Line.

Dead Pelicans

Dead pelican.

Pelican Carcass.

Speaking for the Pelicans:

Beaty Limo ,

(Community Education and Awareness Dept.)

SECURITY DEPARTMENT

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Soysambu as an organization has diverse departments ,among them is the security that plays a great role to ensure that illegal activities are done away with ,such include: Poaching , encroachments and habitat destruction. The group is headed by the Manager that delicates the duties to the Supervisers.The Conservancy presently has a total of Fifty two guards.

Security crue during Saturday meetings,addressed by their manager.

Security crew during Saturday meetings,addressed by their manager.

The group during Departmental briefing.

The group during Departmental briefing.

Shared By; Cmmunity Education and Awareness Dept.

A dream come true and a long journey to World Heritage

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I must admit this past week I’ve been holding my breath while waiting to hear if the Kenya Lakes System  (Elmentieta, Nakuru and Bogoria) World Heritage Site would be inscribed. Then late last night while I was sitting in the dark because there was a power cut, I suppose due to the heavy storm,  I turned on my computer, hoping there was a little battery power to check my mail. There in my inbox was a brief note ” You are now part of a World Heritage Site, Congratulations!” At first I was a bit stunned having prepared myself for disappointment.

I couldn’t wait for dawn to rush down to the lake and experience a World Heritage Site. It was like  seeing everything for the very first time…my first World Heritage flamingo, my first world heritage giraffe, eland, tommie, impala, leopard tracks. I wanted to tell those little pelican babies that they would have a safe home. Magical!

It was a hard choice to just soak it in or snap a few photos as I had to rush back to Elmenteita town for a MOGTEKA meeting.

I guess you will need to Blog William Kimosop at Bogoria to hear how long a journey this has been for him, many many years…but for me, I was asked to a meeting back in 2006 when it was decided to try for WH status once again. The last attempt failed due to the unprotected status of Lake Elmenteita. Now began the long process of gazetting Lake Elmenteita Wildlife Sanctuary.

While this was in the process our Greater Lake Elmenteita Conservaton Area Committee and Stakeholders  worked with National Museums of Kenya and Kenya Wildlife Service for years in developing  Management Plan for the Conservation Area which includes the Core zone of the Lake and Riparian Land, The Buffer Zone , Riverine Zone and Controlled Development Zone.

We will be posting more information and links and photos to inform you of our progress.

Here is a link to the UNESCO Site.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1060

We will be looking for help to ensure the World Heritage Status.

Yours in Conserving our World Heritage,

Kat Combes

Soysambu Conservancy included as part of the Kenya Lakes System World Heritage Site as the buffer zone for Lake Elmenteita

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Dawn on Lake Elmenteita a new World Heritage Site in Kenya

Dawn on Lake Elmenteita a new World Heritage Site in Kenya

UNIQUE WILD SPECIES OF SOYSAMBU CONSERVANCY

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Rock Python. on a relaxing mood

Rock Python. on a relaxing mood

Python on the woodland.

Python on the woodland.

The Rock Python is one of the unique species in the Conservancy ,apart from the Black and White Colobus and the Rothschild’s Giraffe .The Python Classification is as below
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Python
Species: P. sebae

Description
This is one of the world’s largest species of snakes, with adults reaching lengths of over 6 m (20 ft). The typical adult length is 4.8 m (16 ft) and rumors of specimens over 6 m (20 ft) are generally considered reliable, but larger specimens have never been confirmed.
The color pattern is typically brown, with olive and tan irregular blotching, fading to white on the underside. At a glance, they can be easily mistaken for the Burmese python, P. m. bivittatus, but the two species are not closely related.

Habitats

Typically associated with grassland and savannah habitat, not too far from water (rivers, streams, marshes), sometimes entering the edges of forests. Often occur in or near cane fields.

Conservation status

While not considered endangered or threatened, this species is listed as a CITES Appendix II species, which puts restrictions on its exportation around the world. The primary reason for this is because their skin is used in the leather industry, frequently being made into shoes, belts, and purses.
Behavior
They are highly dependent on sources of water, and estivate during the hottest and driest parts of the year, remaining deep in burrows made by other animals. This species is noted for its bad temperament and readiness to bite if harassed. This is in contrast to the Burmese python, P. molurus, which is typically docile except when food is near.

Summary.
Lets come together and protect ,Conserve and Save the Rock Python of Soysambu for it’s Valuable products.
SHARED BY : COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND AWARENESS DEPT.