Kenya launches wildlife census to boost conservation efforts

On June 19  Kenya launched a year-long national wildlife census whose results will boost conservation programs for iconic species facing climatic and human-induced threats.

The census, which will be undertaken in a phased approach, will run until June 2025 and is aimed at establishing the exact number of species in land and aquatic areas across the country.

This National Wildlife Census outlines a vision for wildlife conservation, as part of a strong environmental foundation for achieving Kenya’s sustainable development agenda.

Kenya is endowed with a plethora of ecosystems, such as forests, savannahs, fresh water and marine and over 35,000 species of flora and fauna, that constitute our unique biodiversity.

The exercise is aimed at establishing the current status of wildlife populations, trends, and their distribution across Kenya providing invaluable data that will inform evidence-based decision-making, conservation strategies, policymaking, and hereby contribute to sustainable management practices to protect the Nation’s rich biodiversity. The accurate data on wildlife will guide the allocation of resources, ensuring that critical areas receive the attention and funding they require.