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IJWESC Abstract

POPULATION STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF ELEPHANTS AFTER THE RECENT DROUGHTS IN THE KENYA – TANZANIA BORDERLAND

Moses Makonjio Okello1*, Lekishon Kenana2, Honori Maliti3, Erastus Kanga2, John Warui Kiringe1, Fiesta Warinwa4, Samwel Bakari3, Stephen Ndambuki2, Edeus Massawe3, Noah Sitati4, David Kimutai3, Machoke Mwita3 , Philip Muruthi4, Daniel Muteti2, Nathan Gichohi4 , Hamza Kija4.

1a*Moi University, Department of Tourism, P.O. Box 3900 Eldoret, Kenya.
1SFS Center for Wildlife Management, P.O. Box 27743 – 00506 Nairobi, Kenya.
2Kenya Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 209949 – 003948 Nairobi, Kenya.
3Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, P.O. Box 489357 Arusha, Tanzania.
4African Wildlife Foundation, P.O. Box 838484 – 3949 Nairobi, Kenya.
*Corresponding author Email ✉: mokello33@gmail.com or mokello33@mu.ac.ke

Accepted April 20, 2019

Elephants are ecological keystone species, of tourism importance, and conservation flagship, in addition to being an endangered species. Its population status and monitoring is therefore critical for its conservation. This study examined the effects of drought on the Kenya Tanzania borderland elephants using aerial counts in 2010 and 2013 wet and dry seasons. Elephants were found in all the landscapes of the borderland but Amboseli area had the highest number (1144.5 ± 82.1 elephants), followed by Namanga /Magadi area (69.3 ± 32.), West Kilimanjaro (66.5 ± 24.6) and lastly Lake Natron area (27.0 ± 12.5). Elephant carcasses were observed across the landscapes, with the highest number being in Amboseli followed by West Kilimanjaro and Lake Natron respectively. However, the highest carcass ratio was in West Kilimanjaro followed by Lake Natron. In general, the elephant population had increased in most landscapes after the drought. Amboseli area a decline in elephant density especially in the dry season compared to wet season. But the highest elephant increase was in Magadi /Namanga followed Lake Natron. We notice natural and human – based mortality, and Kenya and Tanzania agencies on both sides of the borderland will be vigilant to protect elephants to allow population increase.

Key words: drought, elephant population status, mortality factor, Kenya-Tanzania border land.

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