UNIQUE WILD SPECIES OF SOYSAMBU CONSERVANCY

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.

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS

Tortoise on it's usual slow movements.

Tortoise on it's usual slow movements.

Cape Buffalos on their Natural habitat

Cape Buffalos on their Natural habitat.

A Female adult Roth'schild Giraffe.

A Female adult Rothschild’s Giraffe.

Are you looking for a place to spend your leisure, Educational Nature trip, holiday and Research ? Soysambu Conservancy offers all this due to it’s exciting tourist attraction sites and Resources. The sites includes ; the Delamere nose/Sleeping warrior Crater, Lake Elmenteita with diverse Waterfowls, over 450 Birdlife and over 40 species of Mammals that includes the Semi-Endangered Rothschild’s  Giraffe and the buffalos. Among the Reptiles we have the Cobras, Pythons , and the Leopard Tortoise.
SHARED BY: COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND AWARENESS DEPT.

Soysambu Conservancy Wet Season Animal Counts

Shared By Duncan Oduor-Soysambu Research Centre.

The  wet season animal census in Soysambu conservancy will be conducted on Saturday 7th May 2011 from 6:30am to 12noon.The Conservancy is divided into 9 blocks. Aerial count will also be done. The census results provide estimate animals numbers in the conservancy and also help in assessing the population trends for different species over time. This will be the main objective of the exercise and assessing both livestock and wildlife biomass and advise on how it could be balanced or improved. The information is relevant for better management of Soysambu Conservancy to avoid overstocking and over exploitation to ensure sustainability to both wildlife and livestock.

Lone Buffalo

Lone Buffalo

Soysambu Conservancy and Delamere Estates organize the exercise in conjunction with KWS, other stockholders and volunteers. Counting will be done by sc staff, personnels from KWS, Delamere Estate Staff and volunteers and commences at 6:00am and end at about 12 noon after all the blocks are covered.

Method of counting the animals.

Soysambu Conservancy is sub-divided into 9 counting blocks:

1.Jolai A

2.Jolai B

3.Headquarter  Area

4.Melia A

5.Congreve

6.Melia B

7.Soysambu

8. Mbaruk

9. Lakeside.

The blocks are covered by using 4×4 cars and aerial in block 9 because of dense vegetation reducing visibility on the ground. Briefing will be done on 6th May 2011,3:00pm at Headquarters area and Research centre for data forms, maps where the participants get assigned to various vehicles having an experienced team leader. Counting teams assemble after census to summarize their data but all has to report before 12:30pm.The whole sc is fully covered by driving through main roads and network of other subsidiary routes. Each group consists of at least one observer and a recorder tabulating the results. The data is entered into a game census forms. The teams return to the Headquarters sum up their results without categorizing them into ages and sexes per block awaiting final report compilation at the Headquarters. Donations by volunteering or assigning your car for this important exercise is very much welcome. All are Welcome.

AFRICA VENTURE RETURNS TO SOYSAMBU

By  Duncan  and Beatrice

The Africa  Venture has been working closely with Soysambu conservancy in environmental conservation activities  for the last three years.This  collaboration has seen a large  number of volunteers get exposure to what Africa is experiencing in terms of the effort  to  conserve .Most of  the volunteers have come from England,America,Belgium and many other nations. The volunteers comprises mainly of those who are on gap year getting involved  on building  of Game Hides, Bird Hides, Giraffe Monitoring, Road Signage and other conservation activities. We have marked the start of this year by registering a group of eight volunteers camping and helping with conservation work. This group comprises of the girls and boys namely, Mumford Rebbeca,Lairo Ailsa,Platts Dunn Theo, Taylor Florence,Bradbeer Timothy Oldham Rosie, Bantis Welsh Rosie and Marshman Megan.

ROTHSCHILD GIRAFFES JOURNEY ENDS IN RUKO CONSERVANCY

The journey for the 8 Rothschild giraffes who were being held in a  holding pen for two weeks  finally came to the end yesterday. They were loaded in a lorry  at around mid night  for around five hours  of travel to Roberts’ camp for loading into a boat. Four giraffes were again loaded into a floating vessel propelled by two fibre glass boats on two sides for about an hour to the Ruko island where they will be held in a huge pen for monitoring just before release into their final home. The current holding pen is the true picture of where they will stay as their natural habitat and it is plenty with acacia trees .The giraffes will also be supplied with lucern and water as they get used to this new environment.photophoto-1