a learning tour to kenya in conservation

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Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation Singh Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal A learning tour to Kenya in conservation Back-to-Office Report Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation Planning Division July, 2015

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Page 1: A learning tour to Kenya in conservation

Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation

Singh Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal

A learning tour to Kenya in conservation

Back-to-Office Report

Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation Planning Division July, 2015

Page 2: A learning tour to Kenya in conservation

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Background and rationale 1

4. Objectives 2

5. The Participants 2

6. Observations and Lessons Learned through the Programme 2

6.1 Observations and Learning 3

Spot 1: Nairobi International Airport 3

Spot 2: Rift valley (on the way to Maasai Mara National Reserve from Nairobi) 3

Spot 3: Entrance of Maasai Mara National Reserve 4

Spot 4: Mara River site visit 4

Spot 5: Hotel Sarova Game Park (night stay) 5

Spot 6: Lions and Cheetah Sighting 6

Spot 7: Cheetah Sighting 6

Spot 8: Kenya Wildlife Service Headquarter at Nairobi 6

Spot 9: Nairobi National Park, Nairobi 7

Spot 10: an interaction between Nepal team and WWF Kenya 7

6.2 Key learning highlights 8

7. Next Steps and conclusions 9

8. Acknowledgements 9

Annexes

Annex 1: The study visit programme 10

Annex 2: List of participants 11

Annex 3: List of agencies and people met 12

Annex 4: The Maasai Mara National Reserve 13

Geography 13

Wildlife 13

Annex 5: Nairobi National Park 14

Tourism and education 14

Annex 4: Selected photos sighted from the participants 15

Page 3: A learning tour to Kenya in conservation

1. Introduction This back-to-office report summarizes the programme and lessons learned from the study visit.

The report demonstrates that the study visit was a great success. All expected learning points of

the participants were met. It is expected that the outcomes will become visible in ongoing

planning activities at the wildlife conservation and management levels in Nepal.

The visit team wishes to thank the representatives of the many organizations in the Kenya and

WWF Nepal that made the study visit an invaluable learning experience for Nepal and the team.

Special thanks go to the WWF Kenya, whose technical and managerial support was

instrumental during the preparation and implementation of the study visit. The team also

would like to thank the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Nepal for visit arrangement with logistics.

Last but not least, the government of Nepal (Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation and Nepal

Army) nominated the team members to participate in the visit to learn much for Nepal

therefore indeed it deserves much appreciation and we are grateful for the contribution.

2. Background and rationale Nepal celebrated third time Zero Poaching

year during last five year period and the

achievement could be a trigger challenges

to maintain the achievement in Nepal for all

committed organizations and personnel

including Nepal army. For this

achievement, to control the illegal trade of

wildlife trophy and parts through Nepal

being transit is an emerging big challenge to

the country and supporting institutions such as

WWF. Although being achieved the zero

poaching celebration, it is needed to share the experiences for further implications and

improvement in the management among similar problem facing countries. Therefore, the visit

to exchange the experiences of Nepalese efforts in conservation and management of Wildlife

had been arranged through WWF. Kenya is leading country in wild life conservation and having

the similar habitat among all other countries attracted to visit there. In addition, the WWF

Kenya and WWF African Regional Office at Nairobi could be a focus for us to visit there.

Photo 1: Maasai People of Kenya with their attire

Page 4: A learning tour to Kenya in conservation

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4. Objectives The aforementioned concept note defines the following three objectives for the study visit to

the Kenya Wildlife conservation.

1) To learn from the positive economic, social, environmental and cultural effects of wildlife

conservation practices of Kenya in particularly Masaai Mara National Reserve and Nairobi

National Park.

2) To learn about different approaches and support to Wildlife conservation in Kenya through

WWF Kenya and Kenya Wildlife Service.

During the first day of the study visit, the participants defined their expectations for a

successful tour, which confirm and extend the learning points described in the concept note.

5. The Participants The seven participants of the Nepal comprised Under Secretary, Ministry of Forest and Soil

Conservation, Mr. Amrit Bohora, Lt Colonel, Nepal Army, Major Mr. Suraj Gurung, Nepal Army

and two senior officers from Department of National Park and Wildlife Reserve. In addition, two

WWF managers were with along us for study accompanier. The participant list is provided in

Annex 2. All participants were proficient in English, which greatly enhanced the exchange of

information and discussions.

6. Observations and Lessons Learned through the Programme

Summary: The programme of the

learning visit is provided in Annex 1. It

was prepared together with WWF Kenya,

which also organized and facilitated the

visit. The programme was very rich and

engaged many magnificent sites and most

important habitats for the wildlife in the

world. The site visits, such as the visit to

Mara grasses land and Mara River

demonstrated the benefits to the wild

animals' a proper and exact habitats. In

addition, the Maasai people were also the

next world view for Nepalese participants

who were the real heroes of the Maasai

Mara Reserve areas. Besides these, a very

promising site was seen at Nairobi

National park where a lot of wild animal

diversity could be visualized during a

Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR)

The Maasai Mara National Reserve (also known as Maasai

Mara and by the locals as The Mara) is a large game reserve in

Narok County, Kenya, contiguous with the Serengeti National

Park in Mara Region, Tanzania. It is named in honor of

the Maasai people (the ancestral inhabitants of the area) and their

description of the area when looked at from afar: "Mara," which is

Maa (Maasai language) for "spotted," an apt description for the

circles of trees, scrub, savanna, and cloud shadows that mark the

area. It is globally famous for its exceptional population of Masai

lions, African leopards and Tanzanian cheetahs, and the annual

migration of zebra, Thomson's gazelle, and wildebeest to and

from the Serengeti every year from July to October, known as the

Migration. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is only a

fraction of the Greater Mara Ecosystem, which includes the

following Group Ranches: Koiyaki, Lemek, Ol Chorro Oirowua,

Olkinyei, Siana, Maji Moto, Naikara, Ol Derkesi, Kerinkani,

Oloirien, and Kimintet.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maasai_Mara Accessed on 7/15/2015

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short visit period of about 150 Sq Km. The park is seen rich in two horned rhinoceros, elephants,

Giraffe, Zebra, secretary bird, impala, wild boar and Lions.

6.1 Observations and Learning

The visit team could land at NBO (Nairobi Airport) one day after because of delay departure

from Kathmandu; however, the team observed and internalized the real wilderness picture

after arrival at Nairobi airport. The observations and learned lessons are described below

respectively.

Day First

Spot 1: Nairobi International Airport

The arrival lounge along the corridor and immigration desk premises have been decorated with

the wilderness pristine natural features and wild life animals such as Lions, Cheetah including

Maasai People. All pictures and information could direct us towards the wildlife reserve and

national park.

Day Second

Spot 2: Rift valley (on the way to Maasai Mara National Reserve from Nairobi)

The Nairobi city is situated at high altitude than the rift valley therefore the valley is seen a

magnificent scene along to the MMNR (Narok county) which could make us very positive

insightful towards nature conservation and management. For tourism promotion it has been a

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source of income through involving the site as a most visiting spot in the country. The rift valley

has been a tourism product.

Spot 3: Entrance of Maasai Mara National Reserve

The team could observe the same level of terrain and

landscape throughout about three hours travel by

jeep; it was interesting to note that when we entered

into the MMNR then we started sighting the wild

animals such as Zebra, Impala, Jiraffe abundantly

within a small size of parcels. A major noticeable

habitat was grasslands with full forage crops and water

streams and sources.

Spot 4: Mara River site visit

A jungle safari was arranged to see the savanna

grassland and wild animals. The site was more or less

with the mosaic habitat such as grasslands, scrublands,

savanna field, small tree clusters, water streams, water

ponds, water lakes, rivers and so on. The mosaic

habitats within a short span of the reserve has

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supported a large number of wild animals easily spotted the wild elephants, giraffe, wild

buffalo, wild beest, impala, hyena, wild boar and several variety of birds. The Mara River is the

famous site for wild beest crossing point from Serengeti National Park (Tanzania to Maasai

Mara once a year from July to August. The migration from Serengeti to MMNR is considered

here as events with about 1.5 to 2 million numbers of wild beest do migrate every year for

foods which is available at MMNR. Unfortunately, the trip team could not experience the event

this year because of late start the migration; however, the team could see the crossing point at

Mara River where the Hippopotamus and crocodiles inhabitations around and inside the river

were seen.

Spot 5: Hotel Sarova Game Park (night stay)

The resort type hotel was completely inside the park and we stayed at tented room without

closing the door; however, the facilities was so much fascinated and comfortable with peace

and surrounding natural environment which made us more nature lover during our stay. In the

evening there was a documentary. The resort welcomed us with Maasai cultured man standing

at the entrance saying caribou (welcome in Kenyan language). The word Jambau (how are you)

and caribou were the common and frequently used words to stranger and tourist throughout

the hotel service at restaurants and reception. During out stay, we learned that the resort is

contributing the government through depositing about 5 USD per day per guest as a

environmental service payment. All hotels and resorts inside the reserve are established after

evaluating environmental assessments through a separate department of Kenyan government.

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Day third

Spot 6: Lions and Cheetah Sighting

The morning of the day began with Jungle safari to see the expected Lions, Cheetah and Rhinos.

We could easily see the elephants and giraffe along the jungle road. After roaming about two

hours we could approach at the two lions sitting site wherever a few safari vehicles were

already there with several cameras. The Lions were not expressing any reaction and finally after

some time the two lions escaped from the scene opposite the safari people. The Lions were

resting under the small trees' shade in the mosaic of bush cover.

Photo : Lion Photo: Cheetah

Spot 7: Cheetah Sighting

After sighted the lions, then after the team could see the two Cheetahs resting together a bit

different sites than lions. The Cheetah was on the open space nearby the bush site. The

Cheetah made angry position after a few minutes then after both left the position and escaped

as the same like lions.

After spotting two major new species, for Nepalese, there was an excitement among us

because of nearby the target of big five wild animals. As a big five there was left only one

Rhinos (black and white with two horned which is not available in our country Nepal).

Day fourth

Spot 8: Kenya Wildlife Service Headquarter at Nairobi

The team had a brief visit at Kenya Wildlife Service's headquarter at Nairobi National Park

entrance premise. An interaction meeting held among us with two high level officials (Director

and Chief of Operations). The chief of operations presented the system of security and threat to

conserve the wild animals. As their presentation, there was a lot of poaching occurred in 2013

and then after diminishing the trend. They have facility to patrol through helicopter too and

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their whole security is managed through a separate wing in their service. Contrastingly in Nepal,

the National Park and Wildlife Reserves have been secured through regular Nepal army.

Meantime, our team presented two presentations on the Nepal conservation effort and zero

poaching achievement. They were more keen to know more how it been possible to achieve

zero poaching progress in Nepal. All levels of stakeholders only got through for control the

poaching in Nepal by coordinated efforts.

An interesting to know for Nepali team that the KWS is using sniffer dogs to plot the crime

investigation related to wild life. And, outside the park and reserves, the human wildlife conflict

is resolved through community rangers.

Spot 9: Nairobi National Park, Nairobi

The Nairobi National Park is situated at the central outskirt of the Nairobi capital city. The park

has been servicing eco demand of the city seekers and short visit tourists at Nairobi. The park

has the boundary around high riser settlements and community habitats. However, the park is

nurturing natural habitats for Lions, Elephants, Rhinos and Wild buffalos including many kind of

wild animals and birds. The park has also the more or less similar habitats to Maasai Mara

reserve. The team could observe the white two horned rhinos and wild buffaloes including a lot

other wild animals. We were amazed due to looking the park and around city areas and over

flying the planes through the park areas; however, the animals were not seen any flee and

escape from the sound of plane and outside boundary disturbances. A major lesson learned

through observing the park that there is possible to maintain the habitats rounding the crowd if

we maintain the habitats for the wild animals. Although, there use to occur human wildlife

conflict with communities occasionally, they are more positive to keep such natural resources

having maintained for the nature lovers and as an environmental services.

Day fifth

Spot 10: an interaction between Nepal team and WWF Kenya

WWF Kenya was celebrating 50 years of establishment. We visited the office and a five official

team welcomed us and interacted among us on regarding the contribution of WWF to Kenya

wildlife conservation and forest management in the country and about Nepalese perspective

towards prosperity as well. Meantime, the Kenyan team was also more interest to know about

the zero poaching achievement of Nepal. We also presented two presentations as earlier day at

WWF office. We learned that they are investing more to maintain the ecosystem of Mao-Mara-

Serengeti ( about 60 per cent investment), species conservation for big animals including

others, biological management and coast Kenyan Programme implementation support for

Page 10: A learning tour to Kenya in conservation

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fisheries management and sea turtles. They also implement the programme through civil

society engagement.

6.2 Key learning highlights

The main lessons learned are summarized below. We learned and enjoyed the achievement of

Kenya in wildlife conservation and management. I had been amazed to see the lot of wild

animals around the Nairobi city (Nairobi National Park) and Maasai Mara Game Reserve. The

great learning what we achieved from the visit as follows.

a. The habitat development through water hole, grassland, fresh water management, and

protection are the most important aspects. It was learnt after observing the reserve and

park that there is no need to have big trees for much diversity to keep wildlife. The savanna

type of the habitat with mosaic habitat including sufficient food materials is the most

preferable habitat for the diverse animals. The forage production and water source

maintenance is most important.

b. The feeding materials production for the migratory animals such as wild beest was a main

task by the reserve. Therefore, it is learnt that we should pay more attention to produce the

feeding materials for the migratory animals to maintain biodiversity in the world as a global

resource.

c. Eco-tourism perspectives around the mega city the Nairobi National Park may be an example

for our country that we are going to establish National Wildlife Park in Kathmandu valley

soon.

d. Income sources can be generated through without harming the park or reserve through hotel

and several infrastructures. There can be much revenue if we can collect through single

individual entry and stay in the hotel and resort inside the reserve. There should be

developed a regular system to collect revenue to generate the fund to invest to maintain the

reserve and park including the support to tribal people Maasai who were the right holder of

the large valley and landscape of the MMNR.

e. Urban city green should be more given emphasis for the mega city such as Nairobi and it is possible to

maintain as an open zoo concept with maintaining habitats for the wild life. Such practice could be

replicate in our country to develop Open Zoo Park.

f. Last but not least, we learned, there should be increased the investment to habitat management and

security to maintain and increase the wild animals in the park and reserve.

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7. Next Steps and conclusions It is envisioned that these kinds of knowledge sharing opportunities will create additional

building blocks for the development of a wider, long-term cooperation plans between the two

countries and conservation committed organizations. Such kind of visit and observation tour

could enhance the country knowledge for policy development and effective management of

the reserve and park in the future.

8. Acknowledgements The members of the team wish to express their appreciation for the pleasant welcome and

efficient support provided during their stay in Kenya by the Kenya Wildlife Service, Maasai Mara

National Reserve, and the WWF Kenya representatives. Dr. Martin Mulama, who coordinated

the team mobilization in Kenya, deserves very much appreciation including other staff of the

Representation. Equally, the WWF Nepal which could make possible to organize the visit and

learning tour to Kenya is deemed to have much thanks and grateful by the team members. Two

managers Mr. Madhav Khadka and Ms. Sabita Malla managed the trip perfectly although a day

delays due to outside intervention.

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Annex 1: The study visit programme

VISIT BY WWF NEPAL DELEGATES – Sun 5th to Fri 10th July

Day &

Date

Activity Contact Person Tentative programme Actual programme

4th July Departure from

Kathmandu

Ms Sabita Malla 23 hrs departure from Flydubai

FZ574

Arrived at Tribhuvan

International Airport,

Kathmandu and returned

back to resident during

night due to cancelling the

plane schedule

Day 1:

Sun 5th

July

Arrival in NBO (night in NBO) - Grace House

Hotel/Gracia Garden

Departed from Kathmandu

Airport at 2 pm and

stranded at Dubai

International Airport during

night due to delay approach

for booked Emirates plane.

Day 2:

Mon 6th

July

9:30-10:15am - Briefly

meet the Species Team

and join WWF Kenya tea

break.

Martin Mulama WWF Species prog brief; Brief

WWF Kenya on Nepal success.

Trip to MMNR is estimated to

take 3.5 to 4hours. Booked Mara

Sarova Hotel

Arrived at Nairobi in the

late afternoon and stayed at

Gracia Garden Hotel in

Nairobi.

2:00pm - Depart to

Maasai Mara NR.

Made plan for the next day

Day 3:

Tues 7th

July

8:30 - 9:30am - Meet

Mara Officials then Game

Drive in Maasai Mara

National Reserve

Martin Mulama

and Chief Park

Warden (Mara)

All day in Mara - Night at Mara

Sarova Hotel

En-route Rift valley

observation and visited

Warden Field Office of

Maasai Mara National

Reserve and visited the

Mara River and grassland

through motor safari.

Day 4:

Wed 8th

July

8:30am - debrief with the

Reserve Officials, lunch at

Sarova

Martin Mulama

and Chief Park

Warden (Mara)

Sleep in NBO same Hotel Morning safari in Maasai

Mara National Reserve

3:00pm - Travel back to

NBO

Afternoon returned back to

Nairobi

Day 5:

Thur 9th

July

9:30am meeting at KWS

HQs followed by a tour of

Forensic Lab and a visit to

NNP

Martin Mulama;

Linus Kariuki and

Moses Otiende

KWS to make a brief

presentation; Nepal team to make

a brief presentation on their

efforts to fight illegal trade,

followed by a plenary. Night in

NBO same hotel

-do-

Day 6:

Fri 10th

July

Visit Safari Walk and

General look around of

Nairobi followed by

Departure later in the

evening

WWF Kenya

Office visit and

sharing

experiences

This is travel day and activities

fixed for this day are OPTIONAL

-do-

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Annex 2: List of participants

Name Organization Contact Information

Mobile No. Email

Mr. Pashupati Nath Koirala Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation

9851161324 [email protected]

Mr. Amrit Bahadur Bohara Nepal Army, Banke National park

9858030010 [email protected]

Mr. Suraj Gurung Nepal Army, Chitwan National Park

9857630004 [email protected]

Mr. Pashupati Nath Koirala Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation

9851161324 [email protected]

Mr. Bishnu Prasad Thapaliya

Department of National Park and Wildlife Reserve ( Chitwan National Park)

9851162475 [email protected]

Mr. Gopal Bahadur Ghimire

Department of National Park and Wildlife Reserve ( Suklaphata Wildlife Reserve )

9801390421 [email protected]

Mr. Madhav Khadka WWF Nepal 9801048960 [email protected]

Ms. Sabita Malla WWF Nepal 9801087778 [email protected]

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Annex 3: List of agencies and people met S.N. Name Designation Organization 1 Samuel Tokore Chief of Operations

Kenya Wildlife Service

2 Muraya Githinji Deputy Warden Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi National

Park

3 Linus Kariuki Rhino Programme Coordinator

Kenya Wildlife Service

4 Emanuel

Suyianka

Warden Operations/Security Maasai Mara National Reserve,

5 Peter Mugui Programme Coordinator,

CBNRM

WWF Kenya

6 Jared Bosire Conservation Manager WWF Kenya

7 Nancy Ghithiga Technical Services Manager WWF Kenya

8 Zac Maritim Spatial Planning Manager WWF Kenya

9 Martin Mulama Programme Coordinator WWF Kenya

10 John Driver Hired Vehicle

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Annex 4: The Maasai Mara National Reserve

Geography

The Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) covers some 1,510 km2 (583 sq mi)[1] in south-western Kenya. It is the

northern-most section of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, which covers some 25,000 km2 (9,700 sq mi) in Tanzania

and Kenya. It is bounded by the Serengeti Park to the south, the Siria escarpment to the west, and Maasai pastoral

ranches to the north, east and west. Rainfall in the ecosystem increases markedly along a southeast–northwest

gradient, varies in space and time, and is markedly bimodal. The Sand,Talek River and Mara River are the major

rivers draining the reserve. Shrubs and trees fringe most drainage lines and cover hillslopes and hilltops.

The terrain of the reserve is primarily open grassland with seasonal riverlets. In the south-east region are clumps of

the distinctive acacia tree. The western border is the Esoit (Siria) Escarpment of the East African Rift, which is a

system of rifts some 5,600 km (3,500 mi) long, from Ethiopia's Red Sea through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and into

Mozambique. Wildlife tends to be most concentrated here, as the swampy ground means that access to water is

always good, while tourist disruption is minimal. The easternmost border is 224 kilometres (139.2 mi) from Nairobi,

and hence it is the eastern regions which are most visited by tourists.

Altitude: 1500-2180m; Rainfall: 83mm/month; Temperature range: 12-30℃

Wildlife

Photo a : Migrated Wildebeest from Serengeti National Park to Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya (in the right aerial view)

Wildebeest, topi, zebra, and Thomson's gazelle migrate into and occupy the Mara reserve, from the Serengeti plains

to the south andLoita Plains in the pastoral ranches to the north-east, from July to October or later. Herds of all three

species are also resident in the reserve.

All members of the "Big Five" (lion, leopard, African elephant, African buffalo, and black rhinoceros) are found in the

Maasai Mara. The population of black rhinos was fairly numerous until 1960, but it was severely depleted by

poaching in the 1970s and early 1980s, dropping to a low of 15 individuals. Numbers have been slowly increasing,

but the population was still only up to an estimated 23 in 1999.[3]

Hippopotami and Nile crocodiles are found in large groups in the Mara and Talek

rivers. Leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, jackals, and bat-eared foxes can also be found in the reserve.[4] The plains

between the Mara River and the Esoit Siria Escarpment are probably the best area for game viewing, in particular

regarding lion and cheetah.

As in the Serengeti, the wildebeest are the dominant inhabitants of the Maasai Mara, and their numbers are

estimated in the millions. Around July of each year, these ungainly animals migrate north from the Serengeti plains in

search of fresh pasture, and return to the south around October. The Great Migration is one of the most impressive

natural events worldwide, involving some 1,300,000 wildebeest, 500,000 Thomson's gazelles, 97,000 Topi,

18,000 elands, and 200,000 zebras. These migrants are followed along their annual, circular route by hungry

predators, most notably lions and hyena.[5]

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Antelopes can be found, including Grant's gazelles, impalas, duikers and Coke's hartebeests. The plains are also

home to the distinctive Masai giraffe. The large roan antelope and the nocturnal bat-eared fox, rarely present

elsewhere in Kenya, can be seen within the reserve borders.

More than 470 species of birds have been identified in the park, many of which are migrants, with almost 60 species

being raptors.[6] Birds that call this area home for at least part of the year include: vultures, marabou storks, secretary

birds, hornbills, crowned cranes, ostriches, long-crested eagles, African pygmy-falcons and the lilac-breasted roller,

which is the national bird of Kenya.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maasai_Mara accessed on 7/15/2015

Annex 5: Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park is a national park in Kenya. Established in 1946, the national park was Kenya's first.[2] It is

located approximately 7 kilometres (4 mi) south of the centre of Nairobi, Kenya's capital city,[3] with an electric fence

separating the park's wildlife from the metropolis.[4] Nairobi's skyscrapers can be seen from the park. The proximity of

urban and natural environments has caused conflicts between the animals and local people and threatens animals'

migration routes.[2]

Still, despite its proximity to civilisation and relative small size for an African national park, [5] Nairobi National Park

boasts a large and varied wildlife population.[6] Migrating herbivores gather in the park during the dry season, and it is

one of Kenya's most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries.[3]

The park covers an area of 117.21 square kilometres (28,963 acres) and is small in comparison to most of Africa's

national parks.[5] The park's altitude ranges between 1,533 metres (5,030 ft) and 1,760 metres (5,774 ft).[1] It has a dry

climate.[4] The park is the only protected part of the Athi-Kapiti ecosystem, making up less than 10% of this

ecosystem.[10] The park has a diverse range of habitats and species.[5]

The park is located about 7 kilometres (4 mi) from the Nairobi's centre. There is electric fencing around the park's

northern, eastern, and western boundaries.[2][4] Its southern boundary is formed by the Mbagathi River. This boundary

is not fenced and is open to the Kitengela Conservation Area (located immediately south of the park) and the Athi-

Kapiti plains.[3][4] There is considerable movement of large ungulate species across this boundary.[4]

The fence that separates the park from the city runs along a high way leaving the airport, this is one fact many

Kenyans are proud of – this park is the only natural safari park that has a city scape background that can be seen

from almost any part of the park, as seen in the picture of the giraffe and the sky scrapers.

Tourism and education Nairobi National Park is the main tourist attraction for visitors to Nairobi. Visitor attractions include the park's diverse

bird species, cheetah, hyena, leopard, and lion. Other attractions are the wildebeest and zebra migrations in July and

August, the Ivory Burning Site Monument, and the Nairobi Safari Walk and animal orphanage. [3] Inhabitants of Nairobi

visit the park and thousands of African children on school field trips visit the park each week.[16]

The park's Wildlife Conservation Education Centre has lectures and video shows about wildlife and guided tours of

the park and animal orphanage. These tours are primarily, but not exclusively, to educate schools and local

communities. There has been criticism about animals' housing, and they now have more spacious housing in a more

natural environment. The Kenya Wildlife Service has created a Safari Walk that highlights the variety of plants and

animals that are in Kenya, and how they affect Kenya's population.[12]

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nairobi_National_Park accessed on 7/15/2015

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Annex 4: Selected photos sighted from the participants

Photo 1: Lion sitting on the shade ( Maasai Mara N Reserve)

Photo 2: Wild Elephant with calf (MMNR)

Photo 3: Cheetah sitting on the grasses (MMNR)

Photo 4: Zebra and Wild Beest (MMNR)

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Photo 5: Secretary Bird ( Nairobi N.Park)

Photo 6: Two horned rhino (Nairobi N. park)

Photo 7: Jiraffe and elephants ( Maasai Mara)

Photo 8: Impala at Nairobi National Park

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Photo 9: Hotel Sarova premises inside the MMNR