Census on herbivorous animals conducted at Meru National Park

KWS and Born Free Foundation on Wednesday concluded a census targeting all mammals that feed on plant material at the Meru National Park.

According to the park’s Eastern Conservation Area Senior Scientist Geoffrey Bundotich, they saw the need to conduct the two-day exercise after realising that the aerial count done after every three years is not accurate.

“We realised that with the aerial count we are missing out on the accuracy of numbers because medium sized and small mammals are not spotted,” he said.

The scientist added that the count was a pilot project for herbivorous mammals, noting that the target was to establish the species, numbers, age and sex structures of the animals so as to balance the ecosystem.

He also said that the report would be out in a month’s time, while disclosing that the carnivorous census targeting lions which was conducted in February recorded about 58 lions in six prides.

“We are going to analyse this data to see if the ecosystem is balanced in terms of prey-predator relationship. If it is not balanced then we will have to translocate some animals,” Bundotich said.

The team noted an increase in the number of buffaloes, which was at 2,000 in in 2014.

They also said that they need to be conducting the exercise four times a year for continuity purposes, adding that the next count will be in March next year depending on the availability of funds.

Written by Chebet Birir