Category Archives: Ramsar

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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PARTICIPATORY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AT SOYSAMBU CONSERVANCY.

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Kasambara VisitVisit to the Wetland site (River Mbaruk)A recent community committe meeting held at Research Centre,Soysambu ConservancySHARED BY; BEATRICE LIMO AND DUNCAN ODUOR (RESEARCH CENTRE)
The participatory management at Soysambu conservancy entails the involvement of the Twelve Communities that forms a Conservation Group. These are the Communities living adjacent to the Conservancy ,the communities have their committee members headed by the Chairperson,the group name is MOGTEKA an acronym to the nanes of the twelve communities namely:(Mbaruk, Mwariki B & C ,Oldubay,Oljorai,Game Njeru , Ututu, Turkana,Elmentaita ,Kiungururia and Kasambara Association).The Community is involved in decision making on the management of Wildlife.
The Conservancy organizes education and awareness to such Communities to instill in them knowledge on the importance of the Wildlife and Environmental Conservation and Protection.Presently, the Conservancy is working in collaboration with Born Free Foundation to educate the Community on the impacts of Game meat through video shows. The areas covered include: Mbaruk and Soysambu headquaters. The Gilgil Agricultural office is also working with us in creating awareness on Environmental Conservation at Kasambara Village. The schools surrounding us are also not left behind; we involve them in the Environmental Cleanup. The participatory management is of great importance to us since we are not an Island we need support from the surrounding and such help us in Resolving Human Wildlife Conflicts and also creating good Rapo:(Together We can Do More)

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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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

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