Kenya’s national population of lions is estimated at 1,970 with at least six areas classified as lion strongholds.
They are:
– The Serengeti/Mara system shared with neighbouring Tanzania is believed to contain 3,673 lions.
– The Tsavo-Mkomazi lion is estimated to contain 880 lions.
– The Arawale-Bush lion area, shared with Somalia, is estimated to contain 750 lions.
– The Laikipia – Samburu lion area has 271 lions.
Little information exists on carnivores in areas such as Meru, coastal areas, Tsavo, Sibiloi, and Marsabit. Captive carnivores have also not been studied.
Hence the need to conduct studies on illegal trade in carnivores to determine if this occurs and if so, the level and if it’s a threat to the Kenyan populations.
To address this gap KWS in collaboration with stakeholders have embarked on a countrywide ecosystem based carnivore survey.
So far, two surveys have been carried out in Tsavo ecosystem and Meru National park.
The survey will also enable the review of the large carnivore conservation and management strategies as well as secure land for carnivore conservation.
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