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Aerial censuses of large ungulates in Masai Mara National Reserve, Personal Experience

Censuses of wildlife is critical for proper management of wildlife. Between 15th May 2017 and 28th May 2017, I participated in the censuses. Two light aircrafts were used for the exercise. The total number of participants averaged 30, including data loggers, front seat observers, rear seat observers and pilots. This also included drivers who drove people to airstrip and back to hotels not to forget the mechanics.

The exercise starts with an official launch to buy good will from the public and local politicians besides publicizing the exercise. After the launch, preparatory meetings follow where participants are taken through steps expected during the exercise to ensure quality data is produced. Mock exercises are carried out using power point presentation and tests administered to the participants  to test their eye sight and sense of judgement. After this, the real census exercise begins the following day. On day one, the media is also acquainted with how the censuses are carried out.

Wildlife census is a bulky exercise and the man power required is enormous. The scientists are aided in the air with voice reorders, cameras and in some cases binoculars to make sure they get everything right and minimize mistakes. The planes follow predetermined tracks that are usually per-logged into the planes GPS system. The are is divided into blocks and this ensures no area is left out at the end of the exercise. The plane will fly for about 3 to four hours. Once done, the data on data loggers,  the camera and gps is then uploaded into a computer where the data entry team takes over. They listen to the sound and make records on a sheet of paper before transferring the same into a database on computer. The data is compared to the photos taken to ascertain the true number of species observed.

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Is Wildlife Conservation Sustainable?

Private investors have shied away from investing in Wildlife conservation. This is because for quite a long time, it has been viewed as a loss making business and hence left to governments to run. Its no wonder then that many parks and reserves are managed and financed by governments.
However, with the increasing number of affluent people in the world, this is bound to change. Wildlife tourism is set to grow rapidly. Unlike manufacturing industries that have limitations on production, wildlife tourism is almost limitless. For example, millions of people could tour a single park within a short span.

There is no doubt than China will be the next superpower. Consequently, the number of Chinese tourists to Africa has been rising each day. Almost 500million Chinese travel around the globe as tourists. Most African countries are readying for the influx of Chinese tourists to Africa who come mainly for safari tours. Leading Safari destinations like Kenya and South Africa are investing heavily in infrastructure to accommodate the huge number of tourists that continue to visit. Universities and colleges have introduced Chinese languages to prepare guides for the Asian country. Hotels are springing up all around Kenya each day for similar reasons. Click on the link below to donate

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Hyena's Hated by Many, loved by Few!!

I like telling people about one of my most favorite animal-hyena. This is not only because of the persecutions they suffer but also the confusion and misinformation that exists about them. Whereas hyenas are regarded as gluttons, it will surprise many that this is a misconception. Hyenas rarely eat in solitude. They will always call the rest of the clan to share the meal. If that is not generosity, then I wonder what it is. Again, the mother hyenas, like most traditional African families, communally take care of the young. They will go as far as breastfeeding them, and so much more without hesitation nor discrimination.

 Were you ever told that hyenas do not hunt but wait for the lions kill? Don't believe that, it's a complete lie. Hyenas are formidable hunters. In the Aberdare, there are no lions. Hyena is the largest predator this park. They bring down buffaloes and other herbivores since this is their main food.

My three month study on Hyenas in Aberdare forest of Kenya completely changed my thinking about this lovely animals. Before then, I had scanty knowledge about them. Stories were given in books, tales about hyena and hare. The hare was projected to be clever and canning while hyena was always projected to be dump. Thanks to the three-month study and the interest I developed for this creatures. I could sue the authors of those books for feeding young children on lies with their books.

I believe that these story books about hyenas and the hare need to be abolished completely from schools. They are partly to be blame for the persecution of hyenas today. People come to hate hyenas and think they don't deserve to live.

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Global warming: Is it time to Relocate Parks!!

Global warming is the general increase in average temperatures worldwide. How does this bear on wildlife?

There are numerous reasons for the patterns of wildlife distribution on the planet. The major and most common is the climate. Some wildlife will manage to survive in certain regions of the globe because the temperature in those regions favor their survival.

With increasing global temperatures, it simply means that those wildlife species that will fail to adopt will become extinct. To prevent this catastrophe, far reaching policy measures will have to be undertaken. Wildlife managers will have to shift the parks to accommodate shifting global temperatures and hence climate. Countries that have a variety of temperatures and altitude will have more adaptability options that those with uniform climatic zones. For instance, species that require cool temperatures will have to be moved to higher altitude areas as global warming progresses. Species in high altitudes will have less and less chance of survival as the temperatures warm globally. Some countries especially in Africa have started experiencing the adverse impacts of global warming. Droughts and floods have become a frequent phenomena. Wildlife species are faced with danger of starvation. Some countries have taken first aid measures like supplying food and water to the animals. However, this is unsustainable given the huge number of wildlife found throughout Africa and the consequent costs. Therefore, we need to ask a couple of questions:

Do we have alternative solution to this?
Who is to blame for Global Warming?

Shifting parks from the current locations to new areas with suitable climate is a solution but very difficult and almost impossible to implement especially for democratic countries. This will mean moving people from their current residences to other areas. This is bound to spur conflict between wildlife managers and the local people and kill the goodwill people have towards wildlife. Again, compensation for the loss of land will be in billions and most countries will not be able to raise this amount.

We therefore need to find a solution based on the source of the problem. Industrialized countries are to blame for the rapid increase in global average temperatures. This is simply due to their high rate of fossil fuel consumption per capita that generates greenhouse gases that litter our atmosphere thereby leading to global warming. The greenhouse gases trap heat energy which is retained on earth. The higher the concentration of these gases, the higher the heat energy will be retained hence the increase in global temperature. Despite this knowledge, the use of fossil fuel continues unabated.

The use of fossil fuels by industrialized countries is completely unnecessary. There is already enough resources in the world to cater for everyone. There is only one problem and an impediment to this. Capitalism. Few people are keeping more than they actually need hence leading to the excessive use of energy throughout the world. There are workable solutions to global warming.

First, it is upon mankind to use only what they require. The current rate of capitalism is going to destroy the world. We shall end destroying ourselves. A human being has an average of 70 years on this planet. Why should such a person hold resources that will require 1 million years to deplete?

Second, lets not just talk, lets implement the protocols we spent so much money formulating. We should use non carbon fuels to drive our economy. Although viewed as dangerous, nuclear energy is what will save the world from global warming. This is because it is a clean energy source emitting less green house gas if any and can provide very large amount of energy needed to drive our industries. Compared to oil, there has been very few nuclear accidents in the world and even so, fewer fatalities. With increasing technology, nuclear energy is becoming safer each day.
Then, use of electric cars should be enhanced. Governments should fund motor vehicle research to produce state of the art electric cars that are cheaper and stop reliance on petrol cars. Also the use of public transport especially the electric trains should be enhanced throughout the world instead of drilling for more oil.

Africa and other developing countries should compel the industrialized world to compensate for the loss in revenue from wildlife and for the extra costs of maintaining them due to global warming impact. It is not fair to cater for the costs brought about by other nations. The loss of revenue due to global warming is enormous. Again, countries that invest in nature as opposed to industries need to be compensated by the industrializing at a rate commensurate with their inputs. Otherwise, with the current trend of energy use in the world, developing countries should brace themselves for a tough future ahead. Wildlife will face the most difficult situations ever.

What can you contribute as an Individual? Individuals can contribute through enhancing incomes from conservation of nature. This could be by making visits to parks and reserves to ensure they have steady incomes to discourage change of land tenure.Also, direct contributions could be made to conservation organizations directly involved in conservation of wildlife.

Next: coming soon: Is Wildlife Conservation Sustainable?

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Human Population growth puts wildlife at risk

The human population has been on the rise ever since man appeared on the planet 6000 years ago. On the contrary, general wildlife trends show a great decline since man became civilized.With the use of guns that replaced spears and arrows, man has been decimating wildlife without abandon. But the greatest risk to wildlife especially in Africa is the ever rising human population. For instance, the population of Kenya has more than tripled since 1960. From a mere 6 million people to 40 million today. This is causing pressure on wildlife as people demand land for settlement hence displacing wildlife.

To manage wildlife, lets first manage the human population. Stop giving aid in form of food as this only results in more and more children. Lets instead give them family planning pills and educate them on advantages of small family size. I like the China's "one child policy". This could be a blessing for Africa. Lets have the Red Cross distribute birth control pills to people as the rise in human population in Africa is a humanitarian crisis itself. It is the cause of poverty. That is why despite its oil wealth, many Nigerians remain poor and poor. The population more than anything else is to blame here. 

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