Hundreds of elephants, wildebeests, zebras die as Kenya weathers drought

205 elephants, 512 Wildebeests, 381 Common Zebras, 51 buffalos and 49 Grevy’s zebras among other wildlife have died in eight conservation areas as defined by Kenya Wildlife Service due to the ongoing drought situation in Kenya.

The 2020-2022 drought has been the most severe and the longest in Kenya in the last 40 years.

According to a report by the Wildlife Research and Training Institute, the drought which is attributed to below-average rainfall during the two years period has resulted in massive loss of wildlife population through death and, probably migration into other areas.

The current drought is affecting wildlife in different ecosystems with the most affected areas being Amboseli, Laikipia-Samburu and Tsavo ecosystems.

Amboseli national park and it’s surrounding areas is the most affected ecosystem with the wildebeest and common zebra being the most affected species. Most of the elephant mortality cases were recorded in Amboseli, Laikipia-Samburu and Tsavo ecosystems.

The elephants being mixed feeders and water-dependent animals together with other 12 large mammal species were adversely affected by the current dry spell across all national parks in Kenya.