Wildlife census kicks off in Athi-Kapiti ecosystem

WRTI Director Patrick Omondi said the exercise will cover 6,510 square kilometers of the ecosystem that borders Nairobi National Park to the north. [File, Standard]

The Athi-Kapiti ecosystem has been mapped out as a critical ecology for the Nairobi National Park and the Kitengela-Athi-Kaputiei ecosystem.

According to the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), the ecosystem provides the only connectivity for the two ecological regions.

This came as the research institute embarked on a three-day aerial census in the region as part of the ongoing efforts to protect one of the country's most important ecological regions.

WRTI Director Patrick Omondi said the exercise will cover 6,510 square kilometers of the ecosystem that borders Nairobi National Park to the north.

Dr Omondi termed the exercise as important in biodiversity monitoring saying that information obtained would be essential in wildlife conservation.

"The census will offer a comprehensive overview of the biodiversity within the Athi-Kapiti ecosystem and the information is essential for tracking changes in wildlife populations and assessing the health of the ecosystem," he said.

WRTI Director said that accurate data on wildlife populations and their habitats would inform conservation strategies and policy decisions.

He explained that this would enable authorities to identify critical areas for protection, design effective wildlife corridors, and allocate resources where they are most needed.

"In habitat management, understanding the distribution and movement patterns of species aids in managing habitats more effectively," he said.

Dr Omondi identified human-wildlife coexistence as an emerging issue which had seen migration corridors across parts of the country closed and pasture land reduced.

He said that as human populations expanded and encroached on wildlife habitats, conflicts between humans and wildlife had intensified across the country.

He assured that WRTI had developed rigorous scientific methodologies to conduct the census and these would ensure that they gather reliable data on wildlife populations.

WRTI Deputy Director of Research David Ndereeh said the census was aimed at providing accurate data on wildlife populations, distribution, and the health of the ecosystem.

"The Institute will employ a new platform, the Earth-ranger, which seeks to enhance patrols and offer real -time monitoring during the exercise," he said.

Dr Ndeereh emphasised that understanding the distribution and movement patterns of wildlife is key to better habitat management.

"A team of WRTI researchers, data analysts, and pilots will work together to ensure comprehensive coverage of the Amboseli and Magadi regions," he said

"Advanced technologies such as GPS tracking and drone imaging will also be utilized to enhance data accuracy," he said.