Masai Mara, 95% of giraffes are gone forever

Kenya is widely known for its wildlife reserves, but a study by the International Livestock Research Institute raises concern for the animals that are housed in the most famous wildlife preserve of Masai Mara National Preserve.

According to the results, which studied species presence from 1989-2003, several animal populations are dramatically disappearing from Kenya, with some species such as the giraffe and warthogs showing a 95% and 65% decrease respectively.

Other species throughout Kenya have declining population as well in an area that is famous for the Serengetti and its large concentration of exotic jungle animals.

Scientists point to drought, pesticides, and the increasing crowding of nearby human population as they move closer to the borders of the Masai Mara National Preserve as well as other national parks throughout Kenya.

Although the study was released in 2003, the Institute’s lead author Joseph Ogutu stated that the decline was shown to increase each year of the study and there is good reason to believe the decline has continued through the present with even more striking figures.

While Ogutu points to the human population increase as a cause, he distinguished the difference in the underlying cause stating that it is not the increasing numbers of humans, but the switch in their lifestyle which is now sedimentary versus nomadic as in past years.

The Masai have widely left mud and wattle homes to build ranchlands that sit at the territory lines of the Masai Mara National Preserve.

Impalas, topi, hartebeest, zebras, and the waterbuck species were also noted as declining populations throughout Kenya.

Since these animals are grazing animals their disappearance is leading to a decline in predators such as lions and cheetahs since they are their major food source.

According to Orgutu the wild dog is now extinct in Mara due to starvation.

In order to preserve the animal population the Institute hopes to encourage the Maasi to allow the animals to roam on their land, so that wild game hunters will be drawn in to hunt and pay for their stay.

The idea is that if the animals bring in revenue and are allowed additional room to roam, their populations will naturally increase again.