As a result of the shortage of water, at minimum 512 wildebeest, 381 common zebras, 205 elephants,51 buffalo and 49 Grevy’s zebras have died.
The wildebeest and zebra populations have been among the most hit by Kenya’s worst drought in 40 years, which has also caused tremendous human misery.
Despite the fact that carnivores are typically less affected by droughts, a report released on Friday by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage claims that reduced prey numbers ultimately cause carnivores to suffer.
As much of East Africa experienced its worst drought in 40 years, 205 elephants and several other animals perished in Kenya between February and October due to the drought, according to the tourism minister Peninah Malonza.
The meteorological agency of Kenya is predicting below-average rainfall for much of the country for the upcoming months, increasing concerns that the threat to Kenya’s wildlife is still present even though sporadic rainfall has finally begun in the area.
“The drought has caused mortality of wildlife … because of the depletion of food resources as well as water shortages.”
At a press conference, Malonza, the cabinet secretary for the ministry of tourism, wildlife, and heritage, said.
The drought has had an impact on fourteen species, she claimed.
Additionally, 49 Grevy’s zebras, which are rare and endangered, have died.
According to the conservation organisation Grevy’s Zebra Trust, 40 Grevy’s died due to the drought in just three months, accounting for approximately 2% of the species’ population.
The ministry issued a warning in a report, claiming that some corpses may have been consumed by animals and that the data made public on Friday are most likely far from exhaustive.
Just days before the UN climate summit, COP27, begins, news of the damage done to wildlife in Kenya, where tourism contributes approximately 10% of economic production and employs over 2 million people, emerged.
The talks will be centred on “loss and damage,” or compensating victims of climate-related catastrophes. Egypt is hosting the conference. Although the topic has been discussed for years, it has never been officially on the agenda of UN negotiations because wealthier nations have opposed developing a finance structure that may imply culpability for historical climate damages.
The regions of Kenya to the north and south, where the majority of the country’s elephant population resides, are those most impacted by the drought.
The nonprofit organisation Save the Elephants reported last month that one famous calf, noted for being a twin, which is unusual for elephants, perished during the drought.
The government suggested increasing monitoring and data collecting, as well as supplying food, water, and salt licks to vulnerable species groups.
Kenya and Drought-like in the Horn of Africa
Owing to the worst droughts in 40 years and rising food prices globally, millions of individuals in the Horn of Africa are experiencing food shortages.
According to the United Nations and other aid organisations, the Horn of Africa is on the verge of a historic humanitarian catastrophe.
Millions of people are suffering from food insecurity, and scientists and humanitarian organisations have warned that drier-than-average weather this October through December may cause Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia to experience its worst drought in 40 years.
In addition to the two-year delay in rain, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has hampered the world food supply and increased food and energy costs in the area.
The WFP estimates that 22 million more people are now at risk of hunger. An estimated 20.4 million Ethiopians are in need of food assistance.
“There is still no end in sight to this drought crisis, so we must get the resources needed to save lives and stop people plunging into catastrophic levels of hunger and starvation.”
David Beasley, executive director of the WFP, stated.
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