The Declining Endangered Roan Antelope Population in Kenya: What Is the Way Forward?

Abstract

The roan antelope, endemic to Africa, is drastically declining in Kenya and most of its range throughout Africa. Extensive research on roans in South Africa has not provided effective remedial management actions. The solution to Kenya's roans will come from detailed research in Kenya. This paper reports an on-going research on "mapping and modelling the roan antelope population and habitat in Ruma National Park, Kenya. " The research is employing the state-of-the-art techniques in modelling and geographic information systems (GIS). Preliminary findings indicate that (i) the roan population has declined to 45 animals; (ii) the roans' home range changes (a) with any slight change in surface water and/or rainfall frequency and (b) between and within seasons (dry and wet); and (iii) the roans' behaviour implies possibilities of poaching. Among other interventions, establishment of a roan sanctuary (with intensive active management) in Ruma N. Park seems to be the best way forward.

Roan antelope Hippotragus equinus in Africa: a review of abundance, threats and ecology

“…, Kimanzi & Wanyingi ). The effects of these pressures on roan antelope survival appear to be locally variable, and roan antelope populations seem to be declining at an unprecedented rate (Kimanzi & Wanyingi ). Political instability (due to various factors, from government corruption to civil wars) is common in many countries where roan antelope are thought to be abundant.…”

“…Threats to roan antelope populations in the rest of Africa have not been comprehensively assessed in recent times (Poché , Allsopp , Beudels et al. , Martin , Kimanzi & Wanyingi , Kimanzi et al. ).…”

“…), habitat loss and deterioration, competition from other grazers and livestock, diseases, human settlement, the erection of veterinary fences and agricultural encroachment, low rainfall, extreme droughts, fires, floods, and inbreeding (Grant & Van der Walt , Martin , Waltert et al. , Kimanzi & Wanyingi ). The effects of these pressures on roan antelope survival appear to be locally variable, and roan antelope populations seem to be declining at an unprecedented rate (Kimanzi & Wanyingi ).…”

“…). Roan antelope are a targeted source of meat in the Ivory Coast (Fischer ), and incidental poaching with snares is the primary cause of roan antelope decline in Ruma National Park, Kenya (Kimanzi & Wanyingi , Kimanzi et al. ).…”

“…At the last assessment, roan antelope occurred in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda (East 1999). Roan antelope are extinct in Eritrea and Burundi (East 1999) and locally extinct in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, and the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya (Kimanzi & Wanyingi 2014). Fewer than 50 roan antelope remain in the Ruma National Park in Kenya; these animals constitute the last remaining population in Kenya (Kimanzi & Wanyingi 2014).…”