The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has officially launched the second national wildlife census, an initiative set to be conducted by the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) and scheduled to conclude in June 2025. The project is expected to cost taxpayers over Sh300 million.
This census comes in response to recent droughts and flooding that have significantly impacted wildlife, resulting in the deaths and displacement of many animals across the country. WRTI Director Patrick Omondi emphasized the importance of the data collected during this exercise, stating that it will aid in the development of county plans and management strategies for protected areas and ecosystems.
“The primary objective of this census is to establish the current status of wildlife populations and their distribution since the first comprehensive national census in 2021,” Omondi remarked. He pointed out various challenges facing Kenya’s wildlife, including increasing human and livestock populations, the effects of global climate change, the spread of invasive species, and the rise of infectious zoonotic diseases.
These challenges have led to habitat loss and wildlife mortality, particularly highlighted during the drought of 2022. “It is crucial to assess the impacts of these challenges, especially those stemming from the 2022 drought and the recent flooding on wildlife numbers and distribution,” he added.
Experts will utilize various methods for data collection, including aerial counts, ground counts, and spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) techniques. The SECR method employs tools such as cameras, traps, and other devices to estimate animal population density by sampling unique markings or fur.
The census will be conducted in phases, with funding from multiple agencies. The estimated budget for the initiative is Sh302 million. Phase I will focus on key areas including the Maasai Mara, Amboseli Magadi, coastal marine megafauna, and the Athi-Kapiti ecosystems, as well as the closed wildlife areas of Ruma and Lake Nakuru. The Tourism Promotion Fund will provide Sh60 million for this initial phase.
Key stakeholders involved in the census include the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the National Census Planning Committee, the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, and the Conservation Alliance of Kenya, among others.
The first national wildlife census, conducted in 2021, counted over 30 species of mammals, birds, and marine life across an area of 343,380 square kilometers. Notable figures included 36,280 elephants, 897 black rhinos, 842 white rhinos, 2 northern rhinos, 2,589 lions, 5,189 hyenas, 1,160 cheetahs, and 865 wild dogs, among others.
