By Dorris Kyalo
Tourism and Wildlife CS Dr. Alfred Mutua launched the second National Wildlife, Census 2024 in Narok County.
During the launch at the Airstrip in Narok County, Dr. Mutua stated that this notable event represents a significant milestone in the ongoing dedication to conserving and sustainably managing our wildlife heritage.
He also highlighted the census’s crucial role in understanding and preserving Kenya’s diverse wildlife populations.
“This exercise is critical in our planning, helps in identifying important wildlife areas and also guides in establishing conservancies,” he stated.
The census, which will survey different ecosystems across the country, aims to gather detailed information on the population sizes and locations of key wildlife species.
This information is essential for tracking trends, spotting threats, and creating policies to ensure these species survive in their natural habitats.
Mutua pointed out that the census is a joint effort, involving cooperation between government agencies, conservation groups, local communities, and international organizations.
“Conservation is a collective effort. We are working closely with various stakeholders to ensure that this census is thorough and that the data collected is accurate and useful. Together, we can secure a future where wildlife and humans coexist harmoniously,” he added.
The CS said during the 2021 wildlife census, 343,380km2 land mass was covered whereby over 30 species of mammals, birds and marine species were counted in various ecosystems during the census.
“Some of the iconic species counted were elephants 36,280, black rhinos 897, white rhinos 842, lions 2,589, hyenas 5,189, Cheetahs 1,160, wild dogs 865 amongst others” he highlighted.
Mutua also reaffirmed that it’s everyone’s duty to conserve wildlife and urged everyone to play their part in safeguarding the natural heritage.
The director of Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Dr. Patrick Omondi on his part, mentioned that the institute has created thorough scientific approaches to carry out the wildlife census, ensuring they collect accurate data on wildlife populations, their distribution, and their habitats.
“By using advanced technologies like satellite imagery, GPS tracking, and drone surveys, we aim to achieve an unprecedented level of precision and detail,” Omondi said.
Also present was the principal secretary of the State Department of Tourism John Ololtuaa, director general of Kenya Wildlife Service Erustus Kanga.
The census is set to be completed within the next year, with preliminary results expected by mid-2025.
Its findings will play a vital role in shaping future conservation policies and strategies, further cementing Kenya’s status as a global leader in wildlife conservation.