Machakos: The State Department for Wildlife, through the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and other partners, has commenced data compilation for the comprehensive 2nd National Wildlife Census (2024-2025) report, which will inform policy and management.
According to Kenya News Agency, following a 12-month successful field data collection concluded by the WRTI throughout the country, the report is now in a critical stage of in-depth data analysis. This analysis will integrate all data sets, with key players currently working on compiling the final National Wildlife Census comprehensive report, set to be released in September 2025.
WRTI Director Dr. Patrick Omondi, speaking at Machakos University during the report writing session with technical teams, stated that the report, initiated last year in June, aims not only to update the current population status of wildlife but also to showcase historical data of wildlife trends in Kenya. This includes the status of endangered species, which will bring forth the required intervention and resource allocation.
Dr. Omondi emphasized that the National Wildlife Census 2024/2025 report will be comprehensive, scientific, and rigorous. It aligns with the Bottom-Up Transformative Agenda (BETA) by integrating wildlife data from multiple agencies and organizations. He stressed the importance of the report as a reference for international entities and conservation partners who are major consumers of the data, encouraging them to update their databases accordingly.
Dr. Omondi declared that the report will ultimately serve as a strategic tool, empowering government, conservancies, and community-based organizations with real-time credible data. To enrich the 2024/2025 wildlife census report, he noted that findings from independent scientific studies on priority species such as elephants, rhinos, lions, giraffes, Gr©vy's zebras, roan antelopes, and mountain bongos would be included to have a comprehensive tool for conservation and policy development.
He commended the key players and partners, including KWS, Kenya Forest Service (KFS), the Department of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing, along with pilots, ground crew, data crew, and observers, for their professionalism and dedication towards the success of the national wildlife census 2024/2025.
The census was conducted in two phases. The first phase covered the Masai Mara ecosystem, Amboseli-Magadi ecosystem, Naivasha-Nakuru ranches, Mwea National Reserve, Solio Conservancy, Ruma, and Nakuru National Parks. The second phase covered the Laikipia-Samburu-Marsabit-Isiolo ecosystem, Tsavo ecosystem, Nasalot in Turkana County, Garissa-Wajir counties, Lamu, Tana River ecosystem, Shimba Hills National Reserve, and Sibiloi and Lake Turkana National Parks.
To monitor wildlife population, habitats, and migration patterns, a national wildlife census is conducted every three years in Kenya. The last census occurred in 2021, recording an increase in special species such as lions, giraffes, elephants, Gr©vy's zebras, and rhinos.