The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) launched the 2024 wildlife census in Maasai Mara on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
Speaking during the event which brought together the Principal Secretary State Department of Tourism John Ololtuaa, Director General Kenya Wildlife Service Erustus Kanga and his wildlife research and training institute counterpart Patrick Omondi, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua underscored the importance of the census in preserving Kenya’s rich ecosystem.
“Kenya, with its diverse ecosystems and over 35,000 wild species, is a signatory to international environmental agreements like the CBD, CITES, and CMS. Despite these policies, wildlife populations continue to decline. Hence, the National Wildlife Census 2024 is crucial for our conservation efforts,” Mutua said.
The aerial census will cover an area of 12,540 km², with the Masai Mara National Reserve as the core conservation area.
KWS census benefits
Additionally, the census will cover various regions in the country with an aim to determine the distribution and population of key wildlife species.
“As the wildlife resource provider, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) will support the entire census process in the spirit of collaborative initiatives for the benefit of Kenya’s wildlife heritage,” KWS stated.
The data obtained will be used in the monitoring, identification of threats and formulation of policies to preserve the wildlife in their natural ecosystem.
Also, the data will help market Kenya as a premier wildlife tourism destination, boosting the tourism industry and generating revenue for conservation initiatives.
The 2021 census covered 59% of Kenya’s landmass and counted over 30 species of mammals, birds, and marine life, informing conservation and tourism policies.
Narok, a key region for tourism and natural heritage, will benefit from the census data, which will aid in developing county spatial and ecosystem management plans. Accurate wildlife data will guide resource allocation, ensuring critical areas receive necessary attention and funding,” Mutua noted.
Given Maasai Mara’s iconic status on the international stage due to its annual wildebeest migration, touted as one of the Wonders of the World, the data generated during and after this important census will guide local, national, and regional conservation policymakers and park managers.
The census also aims to determine the extent of the effect of climate change on wildlife, provide data for wildlife population trends analysis over time and enable the Kenya Wildlife Service to strategize on effective wildlife management.
The launch was attended by representation from various conservation groups as well as Narko County Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu.
Before you go…how about joining our vibrant Telegram and WhatsApp channels for hotter stories?
Telegram: https://t.me/k24tvdigital
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaKQnFUIXnljs50pC32O
