Gathering Data for Conservation: The National Wildlife Census 2024 Kicks Off

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The government has commenced a wildlife census aimed at gathering accurate data on the populations of all aquatic and terrestrial wildlife species across the country. This initiative seeks to establish the current status, trends, and distribution of wildlife populations in Kenya.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua emphasized that the census will provide invaluable data to inform evidence-based decision-making, conservation strategies, and policy formulation, ultimately contributing to sustainable management practices that protect the nation’s rich biodiversity. He noted that this exercise is conducted every three years to align with ecological cycles of fecundity and mortality.
Accurate wildlife data will guide resource allocation, ensuring that critical areas receive the necessary attention and funding. “The results of the census will inform communities about the best conservation practices, promoting the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). This transparency will reinforce the role of communities as stewards of our wildlife heritage,” Mutua stated.
These remarks were made during the launch of the National Wildlife Census 2024 at Narok Airstrip, attended by Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, Tourism PS John Ololtuaa, KWS Director General Dr. Erustus Kanga, and Patrick Omondi, CEO of the Wildlife Research and Training Institute.
The census will be conducted in phases from mid-June 2024 to June 2025, starting with the Maasai Mara from June 17-22, 2024. Future phases will encompass other ecosystems, including Amboseli-Magadi, Coastal marine megafauna, and various protected areas like Ruma and Lake Nakuru National Parks.
Mutua highlighted that data from past censuses has informed the formulation and updating of national species recovery and action plans in conservation areas, identifying crucial wildlife habitats and establishing community conservancies in regions such as Narok and Garissa.
Beyond informing management plans for protected areas, the census data will aid in promoting tourism by identifying biodiversity hotspots and guiding scientific research in wildlife conservation.
“Comprehensive wildlife data from these censuses will support the development of county spatial plans and management strategies for protected areas,” he explained.
He reiterated the importance of understanding the current status of wildlife as outlined in Pillar 3 of the National Wildlife Strategy 2030, which emphasizes evidence-based decision-making. The strategy envisions wildlife conservation as integral to Kenya’s sustainable development agenda.
Mutua noted that Kenya is a signatory to several Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and CITES, and emphasized the country’s rich biodiversity, comprising over 35,000 species of flora and fauna.
Despite robust national and international policies, Kenya’s wildlife populations continue to face significant declines. Mutua reaffirmed the government’s commitment to conserving and sustainably managing the nation’s wildlife heritage.
Governor Ntutu remarked that the wildlife census is essential for evidence-based decision-making, a key pillar of the National Wildlife Strategy 2030. “This data will enhance our understanding of wildlife distribution and abundance over time, thereby improving tourism products,” he stated.
He pointed out that Kenya’s wildlife faces numerous challenges, including rising human and livestock populations, climate change, invasive species, and zoonotic diseases. The census will assess the impact of these factors, particularly the severe drought of 2022 and recent flooding, on wildlife populations and habitats.
Omondi highlighted the Institute’s unwavering commitment to conducting comprehensive wildlife censuses, emphasizing that this initiative results from meticulous planning and collaboration with various stakeholders.
“We have developed rigorous scientific methodologies and are employing advanced technologies such as satellite imagery, GPS tracking, and drone surveys to gather reliable data on wildlife populations and their habitats,” he said.
This census will form the foundation for future conservation efforts, guiding policy formulation, resource allocation, and the implementation of targeted conservation programs.
During the 2021 census, approximately 343,380 km² (about 59%) of Kenya’s land mass was surveyed, with over 30 species of mammals, birds, and marine life counted across various ecosystems. Notable counts included 36,280 elephants, 897 black rhinos, 842 white rhinos, 2,589 lions, 5,189 hyenas, 1,160 cheetahs, and 865 wild dogs.