THE IMPACT OF THE 2009 DROUGHT ON WILDLIFE, LIVESTOCK AND
TOURISM IN THE AMBOSELI ECOSYSTEM: RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR PROMPT ACTION AND ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION
Proceedings of the Amboseli Ecosystem workshop
Serena Lodge, Amboseli
9th December 2009
Convened and organized by
Kenya Wildlife Service, African Conservation Centre and Amboseli
Conservation Program
Sponsored by
African Conservation Centre
and
Dutch Government Institutional Support programme
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The workshop was convened at short notice to take stock of the devastating impact of the 2009
drought on Amboseli National Park and ecosystem. The meeting, convened by Kenya Wildlife
Service, Amboseli Conservation Program and African Conservation Centre, brought together 50
representatives from among government agencies, local communities, researchers, conservationists,
non-government organizations and the tourism sector. The meeting reviewed data on the wildlife
and livestock losses and proposed ways to minimize further losses and conflict and to restore the
damage to herds, park and ecosystem after the drought.
Heavy losses have occurred in wildebeest, zebra and buffalo populations and many elephant and
hippos have died. Overall losses to the large migratory herbivores are in excess of 75%. Wildebeest
losses may exceed 95% and the small remaining herd is vulnerable to further losses in the coming
year before any new calves are born. The precipitous drop in herbivore numbers will soon affect the
carnivore populations, causing additional pressure on herbivores and the likelihood of a sharp rise in
livestock predation. Livestock losses were reported as 81% among cattle and 64% among sheep and
goat, and still rising. The losses pose enormous hardship on the pastoral community. The resulting
poverty will see the use of natural resources, including charcoal making, bush meat and trophy
hunting, rise sharply in the coming year.
Solutions to the drought impact recommended by the workshop included: setting up a carnivoreherbivore monitoring team; surveillance of the remaining herbivores; reinforcing KWS and
community anti-poaching operations, gathering intelligence information and setting up a hotline for
communications; expanding the Lion Guardians program to the Amboseli basin area to cover
carnivore monitoring and community protection for lions; an immediate expansion of the Maasai
land Preservation Trust programme to reduce carnivore-human conflict in the Amboseli area, and
the establishment of a task force to implement the immediate actions called for by the workshop.
The workshop recognized the need for the community to re-establish its livestock economy as
rapidly as possible, taking into account the need for environmental restoration and a transformation
from subsistence to commercial herds based on few numbers and larger market value. It was
recognized that subdivision had worsened the frequency and impact of drought. Remedial action
should include restocking with improved quality of livestock; developing "grass" banks with grazing
2
management; improved veterinary services and rehabilitation of livestock dips, the diversification of
pastoral economies in the area and higher education to provide better opportunities off the land.
The tourism sector concluded that it was not possible to "manage" the news of wildlife loss and that
"spinning" the information would backfire.
Instead visitor experience in Amboseli should be
diversified and improved through richer interpretation and expansion to the surrounding group
ranches. To stem further impact on wildlife and habitat, an immediate moratorium should be placed
on any new tourist facilities in and around the Amboseli basin. NEMA should be presented the
results of the meeting and involved in discussion on the restoration of Amboseli and visitor planning.
Measure should also be taken to restore wildlife populations and habitat in Amboseli and to
coordinate information and programs. The measures should include a species and habitat
restoration plan. Habitat restoration should be based on the woodland and swamp restoration plots
ACP and ACC have established in the basin, under the guidance of KWS, and with the co-sponsorship
of lodges, non-government organizations, research programs. The restorations costs could be offset
by carbon trading mechanisms.
The Amboseli Ecosystem Management Plan will need to be revised in light of the large wildlife losses
and impact of drought on the local community. An Amboseli resource-cum-information centre
should be established on community land outside the park to coordinate and integrate research,
planning and information dissemination in the ecosystem under the newly established Amboseli
Ecosystem Trust.
3
Table of Contents
Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................... 2
ACRONYMS ....................................................................................................................................... 5
1.
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 6
1.1 Workshop process ................................................................................................................... 6
1. 2 THE OPENING SESSION............................................................................................................ 7
2.
WILDLIFE AND THE DROUGHT.................................................................................................... 7
2.1 Wildlife Numbers, drought losses and the challenges for Amboseli .......................................... 7
2.1.1 Unprecedented Wildlife Deaths: ....................................................................................... 8
2.1.2 Population recovery times: Wildebeest, Zebra and Buffalo .............................................. 13
2.1.3 Immediate implications of the drought ........................................................................... 13
2.2 Carnivore Monitoring in Amboseli and Surrounding Areas ..................................................... 15
2.3 Amboseli Elephant Mortalities for 2008 and January - October 2009 ..................................... 17
3.
LIVESTOCK AND THE DROUGHT ............................................................................................... 19
3.1 The "transformational" drought: ............................................................................................ 19
3.2 Livestock Counts .................................................................................................................... 20
3.3 Stresses on livestock due to drought ...................................................................................... 21
4.
TOURISM AND THE DROUGHT ................................................................................................. 22
5.
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................................................... 23
5.1 The Impact of Drought on Wildlife: ........................................................................................ 23
5.2 The Impact of the Drought on Community ............................................................................. 24
5.3 The Impact of the Drought on Tourism................................................................................... 25
6.
CONCLUSIONS ON IMPACT OF DROUGHT: THE WAY FORWARD............................................... 26
6.1 Task Forces to Implement the Recommendations .................................................................. 26
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................... 28
List of Attendants ........................................................................................................................ 29
Workshop Program...................................................................................................................... 32
4
ACRONYMS
ACC-
African Conservation Centre
ACP-
Amboseli Conservation Program
KWS-
Kenya Wildlife Service
ANP-
Amboseli National Park
AEP-
Amboseli Elephant Program
SNV-
Netherlands Development Organization
AWF-
African Wildlife Fund
AET-
Amboseli Ecosystem Trust
DVO-
District Veterinary Officer
DLPO-
District Livestock Production Officer
DRSRS-
Department of Resource Survey and Remote Sensing
DCP-
Drought Contingency Plan
PEV-
Post Election Violence
GDP-
Gross Domestic Product
LWL-
Living With Lions
MWCT-
Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust
OGRPCF-
Olgulului Group Ranch Predator Consolation Fund
ATGRCA-
Amboseli Tsavo Group Ranches Conservation Association
5
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Workshop process
Workshop participants were represented by the sectors concerned with the impact of drought in
Amboseli. The participants included Kenya Wildlife Service, African Conservation Centre, Amboseli
Conservation Program, government officials from the Ministry of Livestock, community members
and their associations (Ilkisonko Professionals Development Forum, Amboseli Ecosystem Trust),
members of the tourism sector including investors and managers, the wildlife sector, including
researchers and non-government organizations, Amboseli Elephant Program (AEP), African Wildlife
Foundation (AWF), and Amboseli Baboon Project. Donor and aid organizations included the
Netherlands Development Organization (SNV).
The workshop was divided into four sessions. The introductory session laid out goals for the
workshop. The second session presented research findings on the impact of the drought on key
wildlife species, including wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, elephants and carnivores. The third session
looked at the impact of drought on livestock. The fourth session considered the impact of drought
on the tourism sector. The breakout sessions discussed the impact of drought on wildlife, livestock,
and tourism and drew up recommendations for prompt action. The concluding session drew up
recommendations and an action plan to address the impact of drought.
6
1. 2 THE OPENING SESSION
The workshop was officially opened by Mrs Florence Kulecho, Ag. Assistant Director Southern
Conservation Area, KWS. The Ag Assistant Director noted that the workshop was convened to draw
attention to the devastating impact of the 2009 on wildlife, livestock and the local communities
around Amboseli. The impact of drought called for some immediate solutions. Mrs Kulecho urged
the workshop to develop plans for cushioning wildlife and the Amboseli community. The primary
goals of KWS in co-convening the workshop are to address the following concerns and issues:
 The Implications of the drought on wildlife, habitat, community and tourism
 Short term and long term measures to recover from the effects of drought
 Collaboration among parties concerned with the Amboseli ecosystem
 The Impact of carnivores on vulnerable herbivores
 Predation of carnivores on livestock and the resulting human-carnivore conflict
 Measures to anticipate and reduce the conflict
 The viability of Amboseli ecosystem after the drought
 Follow-on meetings and forums to discuss the impact of drought and remedial measures
On behalf of the director ACC, Godfrey Masinde, Program Manager, thanked all participants for their
quick response to the short workshop notification. He urged the workshop to assess the impact of
the drought; avoid blame and focus on solutions. He asked all parties to help Amboseli recover from
drought, address the impact on tourism and tourism revenues and to suggest ways to buffer and
restore wildlife, the environment, livestock and tourism in the area.
2.
WILDLIFE AND THE DROUGHT
2.1 Wildlife Numbers, drought losses and the challenges for Amboseli
David Western, director of ACP, presented the background to the 2009 drought. The long rains failed
in April and May of 2009. He referred to the ACP website, amboseliconservation.org , for a fuller
description of the drought country-wide and in Amboseli. The first signs of an unprecedented
drought in Amboseli began with buffalo moving deep into the swamps to graze. By September, zebra
and wildebeest had followed buffalo into the swamps and were grazing on the heavily depleted
sedges and herbs. In October ACP expanded and intensified its monthly monitoring plots to record
the rapid rise in animal carcasses.
7
2.1.1 Unprecedented Wildlife Deaths:
Large numbers of animals began dying in Amboseli in September through November
Table 1 shows carcass estimate and table 2 shows live population estimate for the height of the
drought.
Table 1 showing carcass estimates for the Amboseli Basin
Carcass Population Estimate in the Amboseli Basin
Species
October 5th 2009
November 5th 2009
November 25th 2009
Estimate
SE
Estimate
SE
Estimate
SE
Buffalo
114
9
207
84
276
76
Zebra
957
118
1956
772
3036
579
Wildebeest
2357
397
3612
1600
5616
1018
8
Table 2 showing live population estimates for the Amboseli Basin
Live Population Estimate in the Amboseli Basin
Species
October 5th 2009
November 5th 2009
November 25th 2009
Estimate
SE
Estimate
SE
Estimate
SE
Buffalo
235*
-----
205*
---
185*
---
Zebra
5320**
----
3364
665
1828
1097
Wildebeest
4872**
----
1260
174
312
164
**Estimates reconstructed by adding live and dead from the November 5th 2009 estimates
*Complete aerial census
These counts document the extremely rapid collapse of wildlife populations between September
and November. The close match between the falling live counts and rising carcass counts accounts
for the animal populations in the Amboseli basin at the start of the drought. There is no significant
discrepancy in animal numbers that needs to be explained by migration out of the basin. The
absence of any outward movement from the basin was confirmed by aerial surveys across the entire
Amboseli ecosystem. The outlying pastures were so heavily grazed that cattle were moved out of the
Amboseli region to distant locations as early as June. The close match between the rising carcass
counts and falling populations of wildebeest and zebra is shown in Figure 1.
9
Figure 1 shows the close match of rising carcass counts and falling wildebeest and zebra populations in the Amboseli
basin.
The collapse of wildebeest, zebra and buffalo populations will have immediate consequences for
carnivores, livestock, community and tourism industry and longer term implications for the wildlife,
the park, community, ecosystem recovery and tourism.
2.1 The cause of increasing drought exposure in Amboseli
The depletion of the drought refuges in Amboseli amplified the severity the 2009 drought. The
woodlands had largely disappeared by the 1980's due to heavy browsing pressure by eleplhants. The
tall sedges that dominated the swamps and the cynodon grasslands that sustained Amboseli’s large
concentrations of herbivores during dry seasons and droughts have been all but depleted over the
last 10 years. Historically, these late season habitats supported upwards of 80% of the migratory
herbivore populations during extreme droughts. Since 1967, when ACP began its ecological
monitoring of Amboseli, drought mortalities have not exceeded 20% among wildlife. The 2009
mortalities are more than four times recorded levels.
The increasing vulnerability of wildlife to droughts in Amboseli is captured in the long-term decline
in pasture production measured on 19 permanent plots monitored monthly. Figure 2 shows the
steady decline in the standing crop of pastures since the 1980s. The decline was reversed
10
temporarily by the heavy El Niño rains of 1998, then continued to fall after the 2000 drought, mainly
because of heavy grazing pressure on the swamp sedges and swamp-edge pastures.
Total Plant biomass in the Amboseli Basin 2007-2009
Total Plant Biomass in the Amboseli Basin 1976-2009
6000
Biomass gm2
5000
12000
4000
3000
2000
1000
10000
0
Jan-07
Jan-08
Jan-09
Jan-10
Biomass in gm2
Year
8000
6000
4000
2000
Jan-10
Jan-08
Jan-06
Jan-04
Jan-02
Jan-00
Jan-98
Jan-96
Jan-94
Jan-92
Jan-90
Jan-88
Jan-86
Jan-84
Jan-82
Jan-80
Jan-78
Jan-76
0
Time
Figure 2. The decline in Amboseli pastures production and increasing vulnerability to drought
The change in habitat and depletion of the swamp sedges in Amboseli can largely be attributed to
the compression of elephants into the Amboseli following the heavy ivory poaching of the 1970s and
the simultaneous exclusion of livestock from the park. The rapid increase in elephant populations is
shown in Figure 3. The formerly migratory elephant herds concentrated in the basin for protection
then increased steadily. Numbers in the park peaked in the early 1990s then began falling as the
elephants moved out of the park with declining swamp pastures during the dry seasons.
11
Yearly Means of the Elephant population in the Amboseleli Basin
1968-2009
700
600
Population
500
400
300
200
100
1968
1969
1970
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
0
Year
Figure 3. Yearly means of elephant population in the Amboseli basin from 1968 to 2009
The change in composition of the herbivores in Amboseli as a result of livestock exclusion and
habitat change is shown in Figure 4. Wildebeest and zebra numbers increased with the exclusion of
livestock in the 1970s, then again with the expansion of grasslands with habitat change. The large
numbers of grazing species by 2007 and the diminishing pastures in and around the Amboseli
swamps left little reserve in the event of an extreme drought, such as occurred in 2009.
Figure 4. Changing species numbers in Amboseli before and after the exclusion of livestock from the
park in the late 1970s, before the drought and during the drought (October and November 2009).
The March 2007 and October 2009 numbers are based on KWS total counts of the park and
November 2009 on ACP counts.
12
2.1.2 Population recovery times: Wildebeest, Zebra and Buffalo
The slump in wildebeest, zebra, and buffalo herds in Amboseli will take a long time to recover. The
natural population recovery time for wildebeest population will take 15 to 20 years, if the few
remaining animals survive the coming year. The slow recovery times are illustrated in Figure. 5
Wildebeest Population Projection in Amboseli
Estimated rate of increase 20% Per Year
9000
8000
2024, Year population
reaches 7000
7000
Population
6000
5000
Population Doubling
Time(Mid-2013)(After 3.5 yrs)
4000
3000
2000
1000
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
0
Time
Figure 5 showing projected wildebeest recovery times based on the remaining population.
The recovery times to pre-drought population numbers will take some 8 to 10 years for zebra and
buffalo.
2.1.3 Immediate implications of the drought
The collapse of the wildebeest, zebra and buffalo populations put the large carnivore populations at
risk of starvation in the coming weeks. The 150 or so hyenas are likely to pose severe competition
for prey animals with the 56 lions in the Amboseli basin. The sharp rise in predator to prey ratios will
place extreme pressure on the remaining herbivore populations and the raise the risk of
exterminating the last 150 or fewer wildebeest counted in and around the park early December.
The species composition of the wildlife community in the Amboseli basin has already change
dramatically in the last three months and will continue to change further in the coming few years.
There are now far few large species and proportionally more small species such a Thomson’s gazelle
and warthog. The small species will increase more rapidly that the large in the coming few years.
Predators, especially lions, are likely to decline steeply in numbers.
13
The Amboseli habitats will see a large increase of pasture across the ecosystem because of absence
of grazers. The swamps and woodlands will recover only if elephants are excluded from major
sections of this habitat.
The ecological changes have large and immediate implications for tourism in Amboseli. Wildlife and
bird viewing will be far poorer. Vehicular congestion around key attractions will grow. Poor habitat
cover and low variety will compound the poor experience and vehicular congestion, leading to a loss
of visitor experience and, almost certainly, reduced revenues to KWS, the community and the
tourism industry.
The impact of drought will also affect the community and in turn its relationship with wildlife.
Predation on livestock is likely to increase, and with it human-wildlife conflict. The low livestock
holdings will place greater expectations on wildlife and tourism income and lead to less tolerance of
livestock losses to wildlife. Increased poverty will see a sharp rise in natural resources use such
charcoal production for cash, bush meat consumption and trophy hunting.
2.1. Restoring Amboseli after the Drought:
The data from ACP clearly documents the amplified impact of drought in Amboseli due to the loss of
woodlands and swamp cover. The overall loss of wildlife and habitat calls for urgent steps to restore
diversity of the ecosystem and its resilience to drought. The resuscitation of the livestock sector,
and a retooling of the tourism sector, is essential. Specific recommendations include:
Reseed degraded livestock pastures to create grass banks and drought refuges;
A transformation of livestock economy from subsistence to commercial production;
Strengthen the Cattlemen’s Association to accelerate commercial livestock management;
Form a carnivore-herbivore monitoring team;
Form a human-wildlife conflict management team;
Draw up a restoration plan and establish a public-private partnership;
Revise Amboseli Ecosystem Plan to reflect the impact of the drought;
Impose a moratorium on new lodges around park;
The ecotourism industry should put in place a plan to manage visitor expectations and their
impacts;
Establish a resource/information centre under the Amboseli Ecosystem Trust
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2.2 Carnivore Monitoring in Amboseli and Surrounding Areas
The Amboseli Lion Project is collaboration between KWS and the Institute for Environmental
Sciences (CML) of Leiden University. The project has tracked the movements of lions in the
Amboseli ecosystem, calculated their home ranges, population estimates, determined social
structure and group size and determined lion prey in order to assess the human-lion conflict in
Amboseli NP. The project is also raising awareness of lion movements and how to avert livestock
depredations in the communities surrounding the park.
Six lions in Amboseli National Park have been fitted with GPS-GSM collars. Data from the collars
documents lion movement in the Park (Figure 6).
Lion movement Oct 2009
Figure 6 showing lions movement in Amboseli National Park
15
Lion population have increased from an estimated 34 in 2007 to 56 in 2009 (Figure 7), with a pride
size and sex ratio as indicated in Figure 8 and 9. There are more female than male lions, pointing to
accelerated growth in population.
Figure 7 showing an increasing lion population in Amboseli National Park
Pride size
Figure 8 showing pride size in ANP
16
Sex ratios
Figure 9 showing sex ratios of lion s in the ANP
Despite an increase in population size, lions face the threats of habitat loss, conflict with humans
and with spotted hyenas, and now a reduced wild prey base because of drought. Predators also
suffer from many misconceptions on the part of the pastoralist community.
2.3 Amboseli Elephant Mortalities for 2008 and January - October 2009
The Amboseli Elephant Project began collecting information in 1971. Because of the transformation
of Amboseli habitats by elephants, Amboseli can no longer support the population. They now
frequently move out of the Park looking for food and often raid small farms (shambas), thus
increasing conflict with humans. The recently created consolation scheme has reduced spearing of
elephants. Of the 62 families of elephants studied in the Park, only half visit the Park now while 7
families have disappeared in Tanzania. Elephant mortality has increased from all sources during this
drought (Figure 10).
17
120
99
Elephant numbers
100
80
60
2008
2009
36
40
20
14
11
5
12
10
9
6
5
0
Human Elephant
Conflicts
Natural
Poaching
Spearing
Unknown
Cause of elephant death
Figure 10 Causes of elephant mortality in the Amboseli Ecosystem
High calf mortality arose because starvation and the death of matriarchs above age 50 is also leading
to poor coordination of family units.
60
Number of elephants
50
40
30
20
10
0
0-4.9
5-9.9
10-14.9
15-19.9
20-24.9
25-34.9
35-49.9
50+
Age class
Figure 11 Age-class distribution of elephants
18
3. LIVESTOCK AND THE DROUGHT
3.1 The "transformational" drought:
Andrew Muchiru and Dr Jeff Worden presented the ACC Drought Surveys completed in ACC core
research areas. Preliminary results show a difference in cattle herd sizes and losses in different areas
(Table 3) until September.
Site
number
Mean percent lost
Mean Starting herd
Mean
size
lost
Amboseli
86.2
38.3
37.5
Magadi
114.7
72.0
67.2
Table 3 showing herd sizes and losses in Amboseli and Magadi until September.
The livestock losses have continued to rise since September. A cell phone survey conducted in late
November gives the following aggregated livestock losses for the Amboseli region.
Table 4. Livestock losses due to drought among livestock owners in the in the Amboseli region in November 2009. Most
cattle left the area in June and died in other locations.
19
3.2 Livestock Counts
Aerial counts carried out by Amboseli Conservation Program and the Department of Resource
Survey and Remote Sensing (DRSRS) indicate that there has been no significant increase in the
number of livestock using the park since 1980. There was a sharp four to five-fold decline in
livestock numbers in the Amboseli Basin after the park was formally established in the late 1970s.
Livestock have not, therefore, been a significant factor in the decline of habitat in Amboseli and the
collapse of the wildlife herds.
Annual monthly averages of cattle in the Park
Figure 12 showing annual averages of cattle in the park, Amboseli basin
20
Historical Context
Aerial counts – ACP + DRSRS
Cattle
Shoats
Figure 13 showing Cattle and Shoat numbers with a projected decline as a result of the drought.
Livestock populations in the Amboseli ecosystem and the adjoining areas have fluctuated with
drought and rainy periods since the 1960s. Figure 13 shows the number of cattle in the region from
1974 onwards. Numbers have been falling steadily since the 1990s and will fall steeply as a result of
the 2009 drought. Sheep and goat rose after the 1970s drought and have held steadily since the
1990s. Numbers will decline two thirds or more with the 2009 drought.
The heavy livestock mortality among Amboseli pastoralist will cause acute poverty in the coming
months and for several years to come as herds recover. This raises risk of predation on the depleted
livestock herds. The situation needs to be monitored and the rehabilitation of rangeland and herds
must be given high priority. Alternative livelihoods also need to be explored.
3.3 Stresses on livestock due to drought
Dr. N Mwangi, District Veterinary Officer, reviewed the impact of drought on livestock health. He
noted that starvation reduces immunity of livestock, leading to more deaths from disease. In normal
situations, livestock deplete their pastures earlier than wildlife, resulting in some livestock
movements into the Park. When grazing in the Park, livestock contract vector-borne diseases and
suffer predation. Whether grazing inside or outside the Park, livestock succumb to various diseases
because they are not dipped. There is not a single functional dip in the whole district.
21
Wildlife and livestock deaths have led to an increase in the number of domestic dogs running wild,
raising the risk of rabies in the area.
Alphonse Musili, District Livestock Officer, stated that drought had caused heavy livestock losses
through Kajiado. Livestock from Amboseli moved to as far as Lake Manyara in Tanzania, Nairobi,
Thika, and Machakos. Over 3000 families have lost all their livestock (Rombo 843 households,
Intonet 249, Kimana/Imbirikani 997, Lengisimu 352, Central 958 households).
The Ministry of Livestock, through the ASAL program, is in the process of establishing a
District Drought Contingency Plan (DCP), a restocking program and rehabilitation of the
rangelands in collaboration with ACC and a Relief Fund.
4. TOURISM AND THE DROUGHT
The tourism sector produces significant income for the central government and the local
community. It is also a leading employer of skilled and unskilled personnel. Tourism was badly
affected by the post-election violence. Then, just as it was recovering, the drought of 2009 took
a further toll, making it hard to market destinations in Kenya. Many hotels, lodges and tented
camps are experiencing cancellations. Problems such as drought and poor management in a
single destination can adversely affect the entire circuit. Visitors prefer a complete itinerary and
are now looking elsewhere, including Tanzania and Zambia. It will be hard to recapture our lost
market. In addition to the drought, greed and corruption is destroying the tourism sector, with
new unregulated developments being built everywhere, most of poor quality. The future of
Kenyan tourism may depend on capturing low-impact, high-income destinations to counter the
overcrowded national parks and reserves and low visitor satisfaction.
Amboseli National Park exemplifies the problems.
More lodges are being developed in
Amboseli, despite reaching its tourist threshold. Local communities do not benefit as much as
they should from tourism. For example, tour drivers exploit local communities at cultural
manyattas. The problem involves the collusion of many people, including manyatta
representatives. Some solutions to Amboseli’s tourism problems have already been proposed
but not implemented, such as ticketing at the hotel instead of at the manyattas, restoring of
woodland habitat, limiting visitor numbers, and rehabilitating the elephant fence at Ol Tukai
Lodge to recover biodiversity. Basic maintenance of the roads is also necessary and conflict
between livestock and wildlife could be resolved in a better fashion.
22
How will tour operators justify bringing tourists to Amboseli in its current state? Certainly, Amboseli
can no longer be called a "World Class Park". The challenges can only be solved by partners working
together.
5. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The workshop received the findings and recommendations from the three discussion groups
representing wildlife, community, and tourism interests in the Amboseli Ecosystem. Each group
consisted of a cross section of discussants was asked to address the following:
 The challenges the drought has created for the Amboseli region.
 Recommendations for managing the challenges.
 Suggestions for how to restore Amboseli.
 Suggestions for how to manage visitor expectation and visitor impact on the area.
 Action plans for implementing the recommendations.
5.1 The Impact of Drought on Wildlife:
The wildlife group considered the immediate problems caused by the drought. What are the likely
immediate and longer-term consequences if the drought continues and if it rains?
Immediate problems caused by the drought include predator starvation, local extinction of several
species of wildlife, increased human-wildlife conflict, stepped up poaching and unsustainable use of
natural resources. The lack of community awareness of the broader impacts of drought presents a
major obstacle to implementing any solutions.
In the case of continued drought:
 The remaining herbivore populations will suffer higher predator pressure when they are
weak and few in number
 Human-Wildlife conflict will increase as carnivores target livestock to replace wild herbivores
 Human-elephant encounters will increase as elephants move out of the park in search of
forage
In the case of rains;
 Human-baboon conflicts will decrease
 Carnivore pressure on the remaining herbivores will fall as predators disperse from
the park
 The carnivores will suffer an immediate shortfall in prey
23
The recommendations for arresting the impact of drought on wildlife included the following
immediate actions:
 Create a carnivore-herbivore monitoring team
 Protect the remaining herbivores
 Improve community awareness of the impact of drought and the wildlife situation
 Increase anti-poaching coverage through KWS rangers and community scouts
 Improve intelligence gathering through local informers
 Establish a hotline for wildlife infractions and human-wildlife conflict
 Extend the Lion Guardians program to the national park region to complement KWS’ efforts
to monitor lions
 Extend the program to include hyenas, given the large numbers in the park
The following longer-term measures were proposed:
 Develop a habitat restoration plan
 Restock locally endangered herbivores. Wildebeests and buffalo call for special attention
 Establish an Amboseli information/resource centre to integrate and disseminate information
important for wildlife conservation, community planning and tourism
 Establish a plan for managing tourism expectations and impact
 Revise the Amboseli Ecosystem Management Plan to reflect the major drought losses and
restore wildlife and habitat
 Address the impact and
consequences of drought in planning land use and future
developments in the ecosystem
5.2 The Impact of the Drought on Community
The community discussions noted the huge losses of livestock and the community’s wish to
restore it livestock economy, taking into account environmental impact and economic viability.
The following recommendations were made for recovery and economic transition:
 Improve livestock quality and productivity through cross-breeding and commercial sales
 Develop "grass banks" and reinstitute collaborative grazing management
 Reduce conflict by improving herding techniques to reduce livestock vulnerability to
predation
 Improve veterinary services
 Rehabilitate dips in Loitokitok District
24
 Create a pastoral forum to address the environmental and developmental challenges
The priorities listed for action were to establish a community task force; a conflict mitigation
mechanism; monitoring rangeland trends; grazing management and rehabilitation, and husbandry
improvements and diversification of livelihoods.
5.3 The Impact of the Drought on Tourism
The tourism group recognized that managing press reports would not help the situation and
might even backfire when tourists are lured to an Amboseli that no longer exists. However
there are simple and immediate things that can be done to improve visitor experience and
make Amboseli a "friendly Park". These includes improving the infrastructure, specifically
rehabilitating roads to reduce corrugations, improving visitor reception at the Amboseli
gates, tidying up the area around Ol Tuka Lodge and generally improving lodges and camps to
be more appealing. The following urgent measures were recommended:
 Impose a moratorium on further lodge developments in the Amboseli Basin.
developments should be confined to outlying community ranches.
Future
The results of the
meeting and lodge moratorium should be communicated to NEMA
 Diversify visitor experience to counterbalance the loss of biodiversity
 Develop an action plan for the restoration of Amboseli basin
 Explore possibilities for carbon credit to finance the restoration plan
 Consider culling hyenas if their numbers threaten lions (given their precarious status in
Kenya and the ecosystem) and other locally endangered species
 Refocus planning away from mass tourism to low-impact, high-revenue tourism
25
6. CONCLUSIONS ON IMPACT OF DROUGHT: THE WAY FORWARD
While many of the problems facing the Amboseli Ecosystem are deep and endemic, the solutions
must address the broader challenges facing pastoralists, the rangelands and wildlife in Kenya. To do
so, poverty must be addressed as the highest priority. Solutions include diversifying the pastoral
economy in the area and creating employment opportunities off the land. Recognizing that Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) is positively correlated with educational levels beyond primary school,
secondary schooling must be developed in the area to provide opportunities for the growing
younger generation. The Amboseli Ecosystem Trust (AET) and Ilkisongo Development Forum should
take a lead in the restoration and development of pastoralist communities
6.1 Task Forces to Implement the Recommendations
The workshop participants agreed that there is an urgent need to act now on the biggest challenges
created by the drought and the key recommendations of the workshop. Further delays will worsen
the fallout from the drought. A Task Force was therefore set up to implement recommendations of
the workshop and communicate the findings widely. The task force was composed of the interested
parties and institutions in the Amboseli ecosystem. Including the Kenya Wildlife Service (Senior
Warden), Amboseli tourism sector (Stefano Cheli), carnivore research (Richard Bonham), Ilkisongo
Professional Forum (Daniel Mayani), community (Sayanki Oloitiptip) and non-governmental
organization (ACC and AWF).
It was also concluded that monitoring the ongoing changes is essential, and that urgent measures
must be taken to minimize human-wildlife conflict. The carnivore, herbivore and ecological changes
should therefore be closely monitored in the coming weeks and the findings posted on a website for
easy access by all stakeholders. Dr Musyoki , head of ecosystems research, KWS, has proposed a
herbivore-carnivore monitoring team to include members from KWS, ACP, Amboseli Elephant
Program, Carnivore Group, and one or two other members. This proposal was endorsed. The
participants urged that the situation with lions, wildebeest and buffalo be closely tracked, given their
precarious status in the ecosystem. It was noted that a wildlife survey of the Amboseli ecosystem is
planned by ACC and DRSRS to assess the impact of the drought on wildlife and livestock across the
region.
It was also recommended that the Maasai Land Preservation Trust expand its program to the vicinity
of Amboseli National Park immediately in order to communicate the rising threat of carnivore
predation on livestock and to build the skills and measures for minimizing conflict and offsetting
community losses. The meeting also encouraged KWS to assist financially in these efforts.
26
Finally, restoration was seen as crucial for re-establishing the wildlife and habitat richness of
Amboseli, as well as its ecological resilience to drought. Lodges, camps and other interested parties
were urged to support (financially and logistically) the proposed restoration plots slated under the
Amboseli Ecosystem Management Plan. Sponsorship for restoration plots could be established
through the newly established Tourism Forum.
27
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The workshop was organised by the Kenya Wildlife Service and African Conservation Centre working
with the Amboseli Conservation Program. Funding was provided by the Royal Netherlands Embassy
and through its Dutch Government Institutional Support programme to ACC. Notes of the meeting
the final report were prepared by John Kuloba (ACC), assisted by Victor Mose and Miriam Kaloki of
(ACP). Shirley Strum and David Western helped in editing the report.
The convenors and organizers wish to thank all the participants for attending at such short notice.
Serena Lodge hosted the workshop. We also wish to thank the Amboseli Ecosystem Trust for
arranging to hold its inaugural meeting the previous day so that it could participate fully in the
workshop and take on major role in implementing its recommendations.
28
Appendices
List of Attendants
1
NAME
Florence Kulecho
INSTITUTION
KWS
CONTACTS
P.O. Box 42076
[email protected]
2
Godfrey
Masinde
L. ACC
[email protected]
3
Gwili Gibbon
Maasailand
Trust
4
Muterian Ntanin
MWCT
[email protected]
5
Kevin Currey
MWCT
[email protected]
6
David Western
ACP/ACC
7
Jeff Worden
ACP/ACC
8
Daniel L. Mayiani
Ilkisongo
Forum
9
Wilson Tikwa
Amboseli/Tsavo Game Scout
[email protected]
10
Jackson Mwatu
ACC
[email protected]
11
Philip P. Olekimiti
Loitokitok Dev. Community
Imbirikani G.R.
P.O. Box 97 LTK
0723 349 528
12
Lolkinyiei S.G.
Kuku Group Ranch
P.O. Box 155 LTK
13
Lucy S. Nashuu
Women
Representative P.O. Box 22 LTK
Amboseli Ecosystem Trust
14
Tarayia Lekanayia
ATGRCA
[email protected]
0722 821 730
15
Agnes Kilowua
Women Representation
0724 458 992
P.O, Box 84 LTK
16
Stephen
Ndambuki M.
KWS – Amboseli N. P.
[email protected]
17
Lekishon Kenana
KWS- Southern Conservation [email protected]
Area
Preservation [email protected]
[email protected]
Development P.O. Box 195 LTK
29
18
NAME
Andrew Muchiru
INSTITUTION
ACC
CONTACTS
[email protected]
19
David K. Maitumo
ACC/ACP
0725 431 662
20
John P. Mareinka
OGRPCF
0721 812 946
21
Bob Oguya
Chief Naturalist,
Hotels
22
Kylie McQualter
Living With Lions
[email protected]
23
Elizabeth Carabine
Lion Guardians
[email protected]
24
Leela Hazzah
LWL/ Lion Guardians
[email protected]
25
Richard Bonham
Ol Donyo Waas
bonham@swiftkenya
26
Shirley C. Strum
[email protected]
27
Soila Sayialel
Uaso Ngiro Baboon Project
(Mukogodo)
Amboseli Elephant Trust
28
Fiesta Warinwa
AWF
[email protected]
29
John Kioko
Amboseli Elephant Trust
[email protected]
30
Joel Ketukei
Kuku ‘A’
Secretary
Group
Ranch 0720 815 150
31
James S. Oloitiptip
Olgululli Ranch Trust
0722 867 410
32
Eric Ole Kesoi
Lion Guardian Project
0717 763 057
33
Stephany Dolrenry
LWL/Lion Guardian
0727 880 756
34
Charles Lengete
Kuku Group Ranch
0720 899 592
35
Stephano Cheli
Tortilis Camp
[email protected]
36
Dr. N. J. Mwangi
DVO LTK
[email protected]
0721 210 585
37
Alphonce S. Musili
DLPO LTK
[email protected]
0721 869 580
38
Herman
Mwasaghua
Lodge
Manager
Amboseli
39
Chris Thouless
SNV
Serena 0733 814 113
[email protected]
[email protected]
Serena [email protected]
[email protected]
30
40
NAME
Christine Kiecha
INSTITUTION
SNV
CONTACTS
[email protected]
41
Kinyua Warutere
Amboseli Baboon Research
0721 550 875
42
John Kuloba
ACC
[email protected]
43
Miriam W. Kaloki
ACP/ACC
[email protected]
44
Victor N. Mose
ACP/ACC
[email protected]
45
Adan H. Kala
KWS
[email protected]
46
Serah Sayialel
Amboseli Baboon Research
P.O. Box 18 NMG
47
Simeon Oyieko
Serena Hotels
P.O. Box 48690-00100 NBI
[email protected]
31
Workshop Program
AMBOSELI STAKEHOLDERS’ WORKSHOP
A REVIEW OF THE IMPACTS OF THE RECENT DROUGHT
Amboseli Serena Lodge 9th December 2009-
Chair: Senior Warden, Amboseli National Park
TIME
PARTICULARS
RESPONSIBILITY
9:00
Official welcome and KWS goals
Florence Kulecho Ag. Assistant
Director
Southern
Conservation Area, KWS
9.10
A welcome Address
Conservation Centre
behalf
of
Africa
Godfrey Masinde
WILDLIFE AND DROUGHT
9:15
Wildlife numbers, drought losses and the Dr. David Western – Amboseli
challenges for Amboseli
Conservation Program
9:45
Carnivore
monitoring:
surrounding areas
10.10
Elephants, baboons and other species
10.30
General discussion of findings and implications
11.00
TEA
LIVESTOCK AND DROUGHT
11:20
Amboseli
and Lekishon Kenana/ Stephen
Ndambuki, Kenya Wildlife
Service
With Inputs from Mbirikani
and
Selengei
carnivore
projects
Chair:
Amboseli
Ecosystem
Trust
Representative
Kajiado Livestock mortalities and movements
from surveys
Amboseli Elephant Project,
Amboseli Baboon Project and
other inputs
Dr.
Jeff
Maitumoi
Worden/David
32
TIME
PARTICULARS
RESPONSIBILITY
11.30
General discussion on the outlook for livestock
TOURISM IMPLICATIONS
12.00
12.30
13.00
14.00
15.00
15.30
16.00
Chair: Tourism Industry representative
Views from members of the tourism,
ecotourism and hoteliers sectors
General discussion on the outlook and
implications
Selection of breakout topics the afternoon.
LUNCH
Breakout sessions built around environmental,
community and tourism interests
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Chair: David Western, Amboseli Conservation
Program
Presentations and recommendations
David Western
General
discussions
recommendations
The way forward
and
workshop
33