Wajir: The Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) has commenced the Garissa-Wajir National Wildlife Census to evaluate wildlife population trends in the region, amid challenges induced by climate change. Speaking during the exercise at the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) offices in Wajir, WRTI Principal Scientist Bernard Ngoru stated that the census aims to provide current data to inform conservation strategies, particularly in the northern region, known for hosting the majority of Kenya's reticulated giraffes.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ngoru mentioned that in 2021, the giraffe population in this area was estimated at 6,000. This year's census will assess how that figure has altered, especially considering the 2022 drought, which severely impacted both livestock and wildlife. Ngoru emphasized the importance of the findings in influencing policy and guiding the establishment of conservation areas, particularly in counties like Wajir, which currently lack a national park or game reserve.
Ngoru stressed the value of scientifically gathered data for county governments in creating conservation zones and formulating appropriate policies. The 11-day exercise is part of the 2024 to 2025 National Wildlife Census, mandated by the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, which demands regular status reports on Kenya's wildlife populations. Unlike previous total count methods, this census employs a sample count approach coupled with advanced technologies.
Ngoru explained that the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping and the JOLI application for data analysis, alongside dictaphones for audio capture from aerial observers, ensures compliance with internationally peer-reviewed scientific methods. While the exercise has not yet faced significant difficulties, Ngoru cited wind and high temperatures as potential challenges, necessitating flights during early morning and late evening when wildlife is most active.
The primary goal of the census is to establish a foundation for evidence-based decisions at both national and county levels. Ngoru highlighted the benefits to local communities by enabling land-use planning and the development of conservancies, as well as guiding the designation of critical wildlife habitats.
Senior Assistant Director of KWS for the Northern Conservation area, Mungumi Bakarichongwa, reiterated the census's importance, describing it as a legal requirement under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act. Bakarichongwa pointed out that the census is not merely a scientific exercise but a statutory obligation allowing the Cabinet Secretary to report on the status of wildlife resources in the country every three years. He noted that the census is being conducted using a one-government approach, involving several institutions, including KWS, WRTI, the Kenya Forest Service, the Department of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing, the State Department for Wildlife, and county governments.