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Species Conservation
Cheetah Conservation: Cheetah
Census in Kenya
In 2002 the Cheetah was listed in the
IUCN Red Data Book as an endangered species. It is also
recognized as threatened in the CITES Appendix I. Coupled
with reports from the field that Cheetah numbers were
on the decline in the traditional home ranges, the EAWLS
and its collaborating partners Cheetah Conservation
Fund, Kenya (CCFK) and Kenya Wildlife
Service (KWS) initiated a research project
to determine Cheetah Population Trends and Conservation
Needs in Kenya.
The information gathered will be used for future research
and formulation of a comprehensive conservation strategy
for the Kenyan Cheetah. The project will be implemented
by EAWLS and CCFK. The country was divided into three
zones known as priority Areas.
Objectives
- to determine areas of Cheetah presence/absence
in Kenya and assess the local peoples’ attitudes
toward its conservation
- to determine Cheetah trends by analysing and comparing
previous information in areas with viable Cheetah
populations for recommendations of further research
and conservation strategies
Methodology
The research adapted different methods as identified
during a workshop organised by the Global Cheetah Census
Committee in Arusha (2004).
Literature Reviews
- assessment of previous surveys
- KWS conflict data and occurrence book searches and
analyses
Field work
- field observations
- interviews
- photography
Priority Area I
This area covered the Southwestern part of Kenya - Narok,
Nairobi, Nakuru, Tsavo West and Chyulu National Parks
and their immediate surroundings. The exercise was conducted
in 2004/2005 with funding from EAWLS Stitching Netherlands
and in-kind donations from well wishers.
Outcomes of Priority Area I
- re-establishment of the Carnivore Working Group
that oversees carnivore issues in Kenya
- detailed evluation of Cheetah conflict cases and
livestock health in Machakos by CCFK
- future partnerships and projects evaluated as a
result
From the findings, the Kilimanjaro Lion Project is
using the KWS incident data to determine areas for more
focussed lion population evaluation. In addition,the
South Rift landowners Associtaion (SORALO) based in
the magadi area of Kajiado District has approached CCFK
for consultation in concentrated predator monitoring
concepts.
Priority Areas 2 and 3
Work has began in the two zones and is supported by
the Cincinnati Zoo Angel Fund,
EAWLS Stitching Netherlands, the Kansas City
Zoo and in kind donations from Save
the Elephant.
The areas to be covered include:
Isiolo, Marsabit, Laikipia, Samburu, Wajir, Mandera,
the Meru Conservation Area, Tana River, Ijara, lamu,
Garissa, Tsavo East National Park and its surroundings,
Kitui, Taita Taveta, Kwale and Kilifi.
The report will be uploaded with the findings once
the work is completed.
How can you help? The implementing
organisations continue to seek funding for the completion
of research in the different districts. For donations
or a more detailed proposal, please contact:
Wallace Isaboke (EAWLS): isabokewa@eawildlife.org
Mary Wykstra (CCFK): cheetah@africaonline.co.ke
Is The De Brazza Monkey Facing Extintion
In Kenya?
The De Brazza monkeys or kalasinga as they are referred
to in Kiswahili, are known to occur in Kenya but much
of their ecology and conservation status remains unknown
due to their cryptic nature and lack of information
locally on their ecology and distribution.
Iregi Mwenja has been carrying out ongoing research
on the de brazza and recently completed a survey of
its current status in Western Kenya.
For more information or to support this project, please
contact Iregi Mwenja on admin@eawildlife.org
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