Conservationists have warned that Grévy’s zebra, a rare species,
is in danger of becoming extinct if urgent measures are not taken to
protect it.
is in danger of becoming extinct if urgent measures are not taken to
protect it.
The population of Grévy’s zebra that once
roamed across various parts of Africa, has fallen dramatically from
historical levels of 25,000 in the 1970s to about 2,350 today in the
world.
roamed across various parts of Africa, has fallen dramatically from
historical levels of 25,000 in the 1970s to about 2,350 today in the
world.
The animal was found in six countries in Africa in the 1970s.
According
to conservationists among them Lewa Conservancy’s Head of Conservation
Geoffrey Chege, the Grévy’s zebra is facing a serious risk of extinction
due to increased poaching, diseases and limited access to grazing
fields and water resources as a result of competition with livestock and
predation by large animals like lions.
to conservationists among them Lewa Conservancy’s Head of Conservation
Geoffrey Chege, the Grévy’s zebra is facing a serious risk of extinction
due to increased poaching, diseases and limited access to grazing
fields and water resources as a result of competition with livestock and
predation by large animals like lions.
BEAUTIFUL SKIN
The Grévy’s zebra is strikingly beautiful and attracts thousands of high end tourists to Kenya every year.
Conservationists say that the animal’s population continues to decline as they are killed because of their beautiful skins.
Mr James Wakibia, another conservationist, said a lot needs to be done to save the rare zebra from extinction.
However,
Mr Chege revealed that Lewa Conservancy and other conservationists have
lined up a number of efforts to help protect the rare zebra.
Mr Chege revealed that Lewa Conservancy and other conservationists have
lined up a number of efforts to help protect the rare zebra.
“In
Lewa conservancy we have a team that ensures that the security of the
Grévy’s zebras is guaranteed. Establishment of community conservancies
and restoration of Grévy’s zebras ranges are among other efforts to save
the rare species zebra,” disclosed Mr Chege.
Lewa conservancy we have a team that ensures that the security of the
Grévy’s zebras is guaranteed. Establishment of community conservancies
and restoration of Grévy’s zebras ranges are among other efforts to save
the rare species zebra,” disclosed Mr Chege.
Lewa Conservancy holds about 11 percent of Grévy’s zebras in Kenya.
LAIKIPIA RANCHES
In
2017, poaching cartels took advantage of the pastoralist invasions of
Laikipia ranches and conservancies to kill wild animals among them the
endangered Grévy’s zebras.
2017, poaching cartels took advantage of the pastoralist invasions of
Laikipia ranches and conservancies to kill wild animals among them the
endangered Grévy’s zebras.
The invasions by
pastoralists mainly from neighbouring Samburu, Isiolo and Baringo
counties threatened wildlife in the renowned animal sanctuary.
pastoralists mainly from neighbouring Samburu, Isiolo and Baringo
counties threatened wildlife in the renowned animal sanctuary.
Poachers disguising themselves as herders killed more than 1,000 wild animals in six months.
The menace cost the tourism industry in the region millions of shillings.
According
to security managers and employees within the animal sanctuaries,
hundreds of elephants, zebras and buffalos, among other animals, were
killed.
to security managers and employees within the animal sanctuaries,
hundreds of elephants, zebras and buffalos, among other animals, were
killed.
RAPID DECLINE
Historically,
the Grévy’s zebra inhabited the semi-arid scrublands and plains of
Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Kenya in East Africa.
the Grévy’s zebra inhabited the semi-arid scrublands and plains of
Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Kenya in East Africa.
However,
due to rapid decline in their population, they are now confined to the
Horn of Africa, primarily Southern Ethiopia and Northern Kenya.
due to rapid decline in their population, they are now confined to the
Horn of Africa, primarily Southern Ethiopia and Northern Kenya.
In Laikipia, they are found in conservancies including Loisaba, Suiyan and Mugie, among others.
The Kenyan government developed a plan in 2008 to conserve the remaining population of Grévy’s Zebra.
It
included the recognition of the need to work with traditional healers
who use the zebra meat and fat to treat diseases such as tuberculosis.
included the recognition of the need to work with traditional healers
who use the zebra meat and fat to treat diseases such as tuberculosis.
The Grévy’s zebra’s beauty is its undoing as it is hunted for its hide.