Recovering Ol Pejeta’s Beisa Oryx Population
August 31, 2015
Ten years ago, aerial game counts on Ol Pejeta recorded approximately 200 Beisa oryx. Although Ol Pejeta is connected to the larger Laikipia ecosystem through wildlife corridors, data collected by our Ecological Monitoring Unit (EMU) has shown the continued decline of this species. This fall in numbers has largely been attributed to predation.
As it stands, the current population is dispersed, small and stagnant with skewed sex ratios. It is therefore unlikely to naturally increase in the near future.
In order to give this population a fighting chance, it was determined by EMU that the consolidation of breeding individuals in a smaller predator-free habitat was vital.
The first phase of this project has been completed successfully with support from the Kenya Wildlife Service. Between July 14-16, six oryx were successfully captured and translocated to the Mount Kenya Wildlife Estate (MKWE). This is a predator-free, 1,000 acres of land that has been set aside both for the development of commercial housing and as a conservation area for endangered herbivores.
Since the translocation, our EMU reports that the six oryx have acclimated to their new habitat. Over the next few months, we will aim to introduce new breeding individuals into the consolidated population in order to increase the population and improve the genetic diversity of the herd.
Beisa Oryx are classified as ‘nearly threatened’ by the IUCN, and the population trend of the species further noted as decreasing. It is therefore necessary to keep exploring more effective protection and management measures in order to enhance the long-term survival prospects of the species.
Learn more about our conservation efforts and ecological monitoring.