Category Archives: Habitat Preservation

Why Giraffes Have Such Long Necks

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Why Giraffes Have Such Long Necks.

By Duncan Oduor

Soysambu Conservancy Research Centre

Giraffes are generally said to have evolved to enable them eat high leaves that their rivals could not reach (enable them to eat hard-to-reach food). The evidence supporting this theory is weak.Studies have shown that giraffes in most part of Africa rarely browse the tips of trees even when lower leaves are scarce.

Another theory does with sexual selection. Giraffes’ necks begin to grow and once they reach certain length, males begin to use them as weapons. The animals compete for female favors(Dominancy). The male ones thwacking(Necking) each other’s ribs and legs with their heads, which are reinforced with horn-like growth called ossiccones. Male Giraffes’ with longest necks deliver hardest blow. This theory does not explain why females also have long necks but not long as males.

 

MALE NECKINGNECKING MALES

Rothschild Giraffe Now An Endangered Species.

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Giraffe and bird species in danger

By Nation Reporter

Posted Thursday, August 12 2010 at 21:00

Some species of bird and giraffe are on the brink of extinction unless urgent measures are taken to conserve them.

Scientists working in Kenya said the Sokoke Scops Owl, a small member of the species, faces extinction in East Africa due to illegal logging in indigenous forests in the Coastal and North East Tanzania.

Dr Munir Virani of The Peregrine Fund and the National Museums of Kenya found an estimated 1,025 pairs during his study in the early 1990s, and during this recent study, he and his colleague’s estimated only 800 pairs.

“The Sokoke Scops Owl is considered a flagship of the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and is an indicator of the health of the forest” Dr Virani said.

The Rothschild’s giraffe is the latest African mammal to be declared “endangered” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

There are nine recognised giraffe sub-species and the Rothschild’s is the second most endangered, with less than 670 remaining in the wild, says Kenya Wildlife Service.

 Situation in Soysambu Conservancy

By Duncan Oduor and Beatrice Limo

Out of the remaining 670 rothschild giraffes the Soysambu conservancy has a population estimate of 70,currently most of the adult females have young ones ranging five months to 2 years old.This is an indication of a healthy population and quick measures should be put in place to help conserve them.We are infact optimistic that one of the females is  calving soon,this was reported by one of the researchers :Zoe Muller who is currently taking her studies on the same.We are welcoming more students,consevationists,stakeholders and donors who have interest in helping Soysambu conservancy and the world to improve their population.Enough data has to be collected and analysed  for mitigation measures.

conservation of giraffe,rothschild giraffe in soysambu.

Rothschild giraffe in Soysambu Conservancy.

GAZETTE NOTICE

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LakeElmGazette

In exercise of the Wildlife Act the Minister for Wildlife and Forestry has declared Soysambu to be a wildlife sanctuary. Our director, Kat Combes, has worked on this for the last five years so that we can get UNESCO nomination for a World Heritage Site.

We would also like to ask ask those residents and stakeholders on and around Lake Elmenteita to support GLECA (Greater Lake Elmenteita Conservation Area). There will be a meeting soon to discuss the management of the Lake with the Kenya Wildlife Service. There is a draft management plan.

The declaration of Lake Elmenteita Wildlife Sanctuary is a step forward in the nomination of the Kenya Rift Valley Lakes World Heritage Site. It will provide national protection to this incredibly fragile lake. Soysambu borders the Lake on the west. We look forward to working with our neighbors in protecting this valuable part of Kenya’s heritage.

LAKE ELMENTEITA FULL OF LIFE

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Lake Elmenteita is now blossoming!! It’s amazing that in a short span of the rainy season there is a great difference with waterfowls celebrating the new lease of life. Infact, if you were to be given a photo shot in December 2009 and May 2010, you cannot tell it is the same place.

The Lake has been known to be a stopover site for migratory birds from Asia, South Africa, USA and Europe. Furthermore, it is a breeding site for the Great White Pelican! the Lesser and Greater Flamingo mingle with the Great White Pelican and other waterfowls.

Did you know that the Lesser Flamingo is recorded as a Threatened species? Thus the great need to conserve and preserve Lake Elmenteita, which is almost three quarter within Soysambu Conservancy. I have never heard of a Conservancy, which has a Lake within it except Soysambu Conservancy. Do you know of any? You will then agree with me it’s a very unique feature.

As Kenya pushes for the three lakes to join the World Heritage Site, we are glad that Lake Elmenteita is nominated among them as it’s a place with ecological significance.

White storks

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It is amazing how nature takes it’s course without human interference. A month ago we saw these rare white and black birds with red bills and feet feeding within the Conservancy. We didn’t take much interest after realising that they were Eurasian white storks, (Ciconia Ciconia), an European migrant. At first there were small numbers of birds. We didn’t recognize what they were feeding upon until we called the National Museums of Kenya and perused the Bird Book and we realized they feed on small insects, frogs, mice, rats and snakes.    

 

European Whitestorks

European Whitestorks

 

 

Suddenly the numbers started to increase and the fields were white and black. We were interested to know what they were feeding on. We spotted Army worms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) which had invaded the area in large numbers. After the heavy rains there was healthy tall, green grass which we thought would be enough food for both Livestock and Wildlife till the next rains. This worms have attracted a number of birds species and in the Conservancy you will spot a variety of bird species such as Abdim stork, Marabou stork, sacred ibis, cattle egrets, grey wagtail, Lesser, greater and superb starlings and weaver birds feeding on them. Soysambu Conservancy is a birders’ paradise and now you can sit back, relax and listen to the sweet melodies from these satisfied birds The Army worms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) invaded the grassland and are feeding on the grass. You might mistake their impact on the grassland with a lawn mower as where they have eaten is now bare. The process of ‘eat and being eaten’ is in progress; Grass————-> Army worms————->White stork————-> Marabou stork. The Marabou Storks (the undertakers) stalk the White storks as they prey on the young ones and the weak. Though the Amy worms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) have already eaten up pasture for both livestock and Wildlife we are happy that nature is taking it’s course. The Conservancy is playing a great role in the eco-system. The storks conquer the Army worm before they eat this years maize crop. Maize farmers are happy, there is no need for artificial intervention and it ensures survival of other organisms that could have killed by use of chemicals. You cant miss the spectacular sights that nature has for us if we can find ways to coexist!