Census conducted for animals in Ruma National park

By Davis Langat (KNA)

The Government has embarked on a comprehensive census for animals in Ruma National park, Homa Bay county.

Natural Resource Management Scientist in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Joseph Gathua said that the census will enhance conservation efforts and sustainable tourism in the park.

He noted that Ruma National Park was the only park in Kenya with the rare roan antelope species.

Gathua said that besides the roan antelopes, there are other divers species of animals in the park but their exact populations had not been verified thus causing inefficiencies in management and conservation efforts.

The Wildlife Research and Training Institute(WRTI) is conducting the census in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

Mr Gathua teamed up with WRTI's Research Scientist Vasco Nyaga and the KWS Senior Assistant Director in charge of Western Conservancy Mungumi Chongwa presiding over the two-day census exercise. 

The census was conducted with the aid of a helicopter which traversed the park measuring 120 square kilometers. 

The team gathering the data were equipped with diverse tools for data collection.

Nyanga said they were accurately capturing the animals on both the left and right sides of the chopper before transferring the numbers into a database.

“We were also using modern technology such GPS for mapping out the location of wild animals before coming up with the wild animals’ distribution maps indicating where each species was in the park,” Nyaga explained.

He said the census was done scientifically to ensure accuracy of the data collected during the exercise.

“We were also using cameras to capture the animals and enable us to verify the numbers we got. The census was done scientifically and accurately,” Nyaga emphasized.

Gathua said the census is going to enable the government to come up with proper strategies for conserving wildlife.

“Wild animals face some pressure which may lead to extinction of some species. The census is going to establish which species are facing extinction and the ones which have multiplied. This will inform the appropriate action to take on conservation,” Gathua said.

He said that the census results will inform the decision on whether to bring in some species like ostriches into the park noting that it lacked ostriches despite having the right conditions for the birds to thrive.

He said the principle aim was to boost tourism attraction in the park and boost the local economy.

“Tourism is a very important source of revenue for the government and source of livelihood for communities. We want our wild animals to thrive and enhance tourism activities in the county,” said Gathua.

Chongwa urged residents to collaborate with KWS officers in conserving wildlife in Ruma National Park.

He said there was need to eradicate cases of poaching and wild fires in the park completely.

“Poaching used to be a serious problem in this park but fortunately for the last two years we have not had any incident. I urge residents to collaborate with our officers in conserving wildlife in this park,” Chongwa said.

He urged residents to embrace domestic tourism.

“I want to encourage both foreign and domestic tourism in Ruma National Park. Let residents tour this park and enjoy the biodiversity we have." Chongwa added.

He challenged the locals to invest in putting up hotels and guest houses targeting the tourists visiting the park.

Ends