Kenya -Tanzania Cross border wildlife census concluded

[ [Latest News] ] [ View Archives ]

Census flight path showing how our pilots navigate and traverse census blocks, eventually covering entire ecosystem

Kenya and Tanzania on the 16th of October 2010 successfully completed a joint cross border aerial census of wildlife within the Amboseli-West-Kilimanjaro and Magadi-Natron landscapes. This was a dry season census, following a similar exercise that was conducted in March 2010 during the wet season. The activity, which will be conducted every three years, aims to foster cross-border collaboration in wildlife monitoring and management.  It also seeks to enhance understanding of wildlife ecological dynamics, including distribution and abundance.

The five-day census was conducted by KWS, Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), Wildlife Division (WD), and Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) among several partners and individuals. It involved eight aircraft, twelve vehicles and other technical equipment, with over 70 personnel from the two countries including pilots, GIS experts, data entry clerks, technical observers and ground logistics crew. The operational bases were at Oltukai lodge and Kilimanjaro International Airport for Kenya and Tanzania, respectively.

The census team will assemble in Arusha, Tanzania to compile a joint report in early November, which will be posted on the KWS and TAWIRI websites.