Grevy`s Zebra Conservation 2011

Grevy’s Zebra Conservation in Kenya
2013
Report and funding proposal prepared for supporters
and members of the Grevy’s zebra EEP conservation
projects
Ta nya La ngenhorst
EEP Coordina tor &
Interna tiona l Studbook Keeper
for Grevy’s zebra
Dr Zeke Da vidson
Kenya Project Ma na ger
Ma rwell Wildlife
September 2013
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www.marwell.org.uk/conservation
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the following for their ongoing and very generous support
during 2012 and 2013:
Amersfoort Zoo
Amsterdam Zoo
Dierenpark Planckendael
Drusillas Park
Friends of Banham Zoo
IUCN SSG Equid Specialist Group
Kolmardens Insamlingsstiftelse
Koninklijke Maatschappij voor Dierkunde van Antwerpen
Marjo Hoedemaker Elephant Foundation
Odense Zoo
Quagga (formerly Dutch Zoo Conservation Fund)
Rufford Foundation
Wildlife Worldwide
Wilhelma Zoologisch-Botanischer Garten Stuttgart and
Zoologischer Garten Augsburg
Cover: Grevy’s zebra stallion on Lewa Downs © Marwell
This page: Grevy’s zebra on Lewa Downs © Marwell
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Introduction
We are pleased to present you with this latest report on our Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi)
conservation projects in Northern Kenya. This document seeks to inform our supporters and
members of the Grevy’s zebra EEP on all the activities and progress achieved during 2012 and
2013, which was made possible by your unwavering and generous support.
During the last year, the second national survey of Grevy’s zebra in Kenya provided us with the
opportunity to take stock, not only of the numbers and distribution of Grevy’s zebra, but also of the
suitability of our various monitoring methods. We now know that projects like stripe ID, collaring
and camera trapping are of huge value to assessing the status of this endangered equid and we
are hoping to continue and extend these efforts.
Furthermore, the national Grevy’s zebra conservation strategy that governs all our efforts has been
reviewed and is close to publication now. We are pleased to say that many of the goals in the first
strategy have been achieved and we are now building on those while striving to fulfil others that
are still outstanding.
We would like to thank all our donors for their loyal support. We could not do this work to protect
the Grevy’s zebra without you.
Section A of this document contains a report of the activities of Marwell Wildlife and its partners
regarding Grevy’s zebra conservation in the past year. At the end of this section is a list of these
partners and, as ever, please feel free to ask Tanya for any further information you might require.
As in our previous reports, we present our proposed activities for 2014 in Section B together with
their associated costs.
First of all a brief summary of the current status of Grevy’s zebra.
The Status of Grevy’s Zebra (Equus grevyi)
In November 2012 Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Grevy’s Zebra Technical Committee
(GZTC) carried out the latest national survey on Grevy’s zebra to see how the Kenyan population
had fared since the last survey in 2008. A combination of ground and aerial counts, as well as
extensive analysis of factors affecting final total survey counts, led to a population estimate of
approximately 2,647 individuals. This figure is similar to the 2008 result of ~2,450 and indicates
that the Kenyan population is currently stable. You can read more on this in the following pages.
Numbers for this species in Ethiopia are only estimates from verbal reports as no formal survey
has taken place since 2003. A representative of the Ethiopia Wildlife Conservation Authority
reported during a workshop in Kenya in 2012, that Grevy’s zebra still persist in his country, but only
in very small numbers (Anyona 2012).
It appears that sightings in the Alledeghi Wildlife Reserve to the East of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia
have marginally increased (from 111 to 143). Numbers in the far south, however, are believed to
have decreased further. Our Ethiopian colleague reported one population of 22 and another of 10
animals.
International Studbook
The latest international studbook for Grevy’s zebra was published in April 2013 with information
updated as late as March 2013 (Langenhorst, 2013). As usual, the studbook provides information
on the wider Grevy’s zebra conservation work as well as the global zoo population. Worldwide,
115 zoological institutions and some private collections reported a total of 502 Grevy’s zebra to the
studbook by the end of 2012 (Langenhorst 2013). Of those, 85.161.0 (246) were kept in 51
institutions under the formally managed EEP, while the North American SSP coordinates 66.110.0
(176) animals in 39 institutions. These two populations provide a genetically and demographically
healthy back up to their wild counterparts. A third population is managed in Japan and consists of
8.12.0 (20) animals in eight zoos.
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If you are interested in the studbook, please contact Tanya Langenhorst, the EEP Coordinator, or
download a PDF from our website:
http://www.marwell.org.uk/downloads/Grevyszebrastudbookfinalv22012.pdf
Photo 1: Grevy’s zebra stallion near Marwell Research Camp on Lewa, Kenya © Marwell
Section A. Summary of Activities in 2012/13
As you will see from the following, we have several large projects underway, all linking the efforts
of the members of the Grevy’s Zebra Technical Committee (GZTC) to conserve this beautiful
equid. Support from the EEP is vital for the continuity of the majority of the projects listed here –
as ever, thank you very much for your loyal support.
National Conservation Strategy: Enhancing Population Census and Monitoring
Following the review of the first Conservation and Management Strategy for Grevy’s zebra, which
took place during a workshop in April 2012 as reported in last year’s donor report (Langenhorst
and Davidson 2012), the publication of the Second Edition of the Conservation and Management
Strategy for Grevy’s Zebra (Equus grevyi) in Kenya (2013–2017) is imminent. A writing committee
yielded a final draft for printing in March this year. Marwell was closely involved in this process and
was able to help fund the workshop event.
While the new strategic plan for 2013–2017 has been approved by the GZTC, it has not yet been
formally published, although is already widely in use, and digital copies are available to EEP
members for reference on request. Formal distribution of the strategy document to all EEP
members will follow as soon as the official launch has taken place in Kenya this year.
The revised vision of the strategy is:
To have viable populations of Grevy’s zebra in their natural habitat functioning in healthy
ecosystems and valued locally and globally.
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The number of strategy goals has been reviewed and reduced from nine to five. Four having
already been completed by the first strategic plan, namely: (1) the production of a National
Strategic Plan and its implementation; (2) the formalisation of the Grevy’s zebra working group as
the GZTC; (3) the creation of the Grevy’s zebra Liaison Office and the appointment of its officer;
and (4) the establishment of a regular national Grevy’s zebra population census. The remaining
five goals include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Coordination of the implementation of the conservation and management strategy
Enhancement of stakeholder partnerships in Grevy’s zebra conservation
Enhancement of Grevy’s zebra conservation and habitat management
Establish a programme for monitoring and managing Grevy’s zebra population health
Enhancement of transboundary Grevy’s zebra conservation
National survey of Grevy's zebra in the Laikipia-Samburu-Marsabit ecosystems
Over the last ten years, conservation efforts for Grevy’s zebra have intensified. This is particularly
true for communal lands that are reported to support over 50 percent of the population of wild
Grevy’s zebra in Kenya (Low et al. 2009). The attitude of local people living within Grevy’s zebra
habitat is found to be generally positive towards them and other species (Lelenguyha 2012). This
is important for the future conservation of the species, by potentially providing a receptive social
environment for the adoption of conservation practices and fostering deeper positive attitudes
toward the species. Taken together, these conditions of dramatic recent population declines and
positive sentiments towards wildlife, mean that there is a current and increasing urgency for
information, which can be used to develop recommendations, guidelines and actions for the
conservation of Grevy’s zebra and other wildlife species in northern Kenya.
Working with partners in the GZTC, KWS led the planning for the 2012 survey to Monitor the Illegal
Killing of Elephants (MIKE) in Laikipia, Samburu, Isiolo and Marsabit Counties. The MIKE elephant
survey area overlaps significantly with the core area of Grevy’s zebra range (Figure 1). This
enabled us to combine efforts and funding to carry out a joint survey for Grevy's zebra and
elephant in the Laikipia-Samburu ecosystem. To improve the survey design for Grevy’s zebra,
several new areas were included in the survey for 2012 (Figure 2). Marwell Wildlife contributed
funding raised from the EEP, and assisted with technical facilitation and participation in the aerial
count itself.
The goals of the Grevy’s zebra survey were to:
1. Determine the distribution and provide an estimate of any change in numbers of Grevy's
zebra across their Kenyan rangelands.
2. Develop a trend analysis for the Grevy’s zebra population utilising all available population
estimates, and standardising this going forward on regular aerial survey count data,
augmented by ground based surveys and datasets.
3. Provide data from which to identify locations where populations have declined and those
where populations have increased.
4. Develop analyses describing factors influencing the survival of Grevy’s zebra in Kenya.
5. Assess the suitability of aerial surveys for monitoring population trends over the long term.
6. Institutionalise a periodic count of Grevy's zebra in Kenya
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Figure 1: Overlay of MIKE survey zones and Grevy’s zebra management zones indicating areas of
overlap (KWS 2012).
The Laikipia-Samburu-Marsabit ecosystem covers approximately 60,000 km2. Most of the region
is typically arid savannah, hot and dry for most of the year with highly variable and erratic bimodal
rainfall, 90 percent of which falls in April and November. Between 2005 and 2012, however, while
the bimodal norm has been maintained, rainfall has become increasingly erratic with extreme
peaks and troughs resulting in alternately severe drought and flooding. Laikipia lies on the leeward
side of Mount Kenya and the climate is thus affected by its rain shadow. Samburu is mainly a lowlying pastoral grazing land with forested mountain ranges. It has a high diversity of habitats
ranging from xerophytic scrub, comprising Acacia and Commiphora species, to a vertically zoned
habitat structure, which ends in high altitude canopy montane forest on the summits. The Ewaso
River and its tributaries are the lifeline for wildlife providing dry season water and food resources.
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Figure 2: Map of the study area showing the blocks and aircraft flight paths used during the Aerial
survey conducted in October 2008 (Purple) and November 2012 (Red). The shaded area represents
the extent of the survey areas that overlapped and provided the data for comparing the two surveys.
The survey methodology for 2012 was largely similar to that applied in 2008. However, the 2012
survey covered a larger area: extending further north, appending some eastern territories and
extending the southern areas covered in Laikipia. In comparison, the 2012 survey covered 9,700
km2 more than the 2008 survey. In total, the team spent 227 hours in the air, covering 56,300 km2
(Figure 2).
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Photos 2 and 3: Small survey aircraft on the left and the team planning the next move on the right ©
Marwell
The 2012 National Survey counted 1,897 Grevy’s zebra from the air in the total survey area. This
represents 510 fewer animals than were detected in 2008 (-21.1%). The standardised method
applied to both datasets increased this separation to 630 animals. This represents a 26 percent
decrease in population size between 2008 and 2012 detected in a comparable area with similar
effort.
Similarly to the 2008 survey, the Wamba and Laikipia zones accounted for the most sightings in
2012 (89%), however this was 3 percent lower than in 2008 for the same area. The number of
individuals counted outside of management zones in 2012 was again 2 percent, while Laisamis
and Elbarta management zones held the lowest numbers of 8 percent and 1 percent respectively
(Table 1).
Table 1: Grevy’s zebra sightings per management zone for 2012 and 2008.
Management Zone
Wamba
Laikipia
Laisamis
Outside Mgmt Zones
Elbarta
Sightings per
Zone
93
86
13
7
3
199
No of Grevy’s
zebra / Zone in
2012
1,036
642
153
41
25
1,897
Percentage
2012
55%
34%
8%
2%
1%
100%
2008
54%
38%
4%
2%
1%
100%
GZTC analysed a wide variety of factors whilst studying the survey data. Counts from the aerial
survey reported a decrease in the number of individuals and yet, several ground-based long-term
monitoring efforts (such as stripe identification, scout wildlife monitoring, and collaring), suggested
that animals were not sighted from the air in areas where sightings had been made recently from
the ground. A comparison of Grevy’s zebra dispersal between the 2008 and the 2012 survey
showed that several core areas have been lost or had shifted. The analysis team did apply a
correction factor as is commonly done for this type of survey and the GZTC has come to the
conclusion that the Grevy’s zebra population may have experienced a moderate reduction in some
areas, while remaining stable in others and even increasing in a few where intensive conservation
efforts are ongoing. This is characteristic of a normally oscillating trend which they hope will be
confirmed in future surveys. It remains very clear that effort to conserve the species needs to be
maintained and increased where possible and that the objectives of the National Conservation
Strategy should be prioritised urgently. The next survey is planned to coincide with the next Mike
Survey in 2015 and we are hoping to contribute to this once again.
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Photos 4 and 5: Large group of Grevy’s zebra from air on the left and a handful of individual, barely
visible, Grevy’s zebra from air on the right © Marwell
Digital Stripe Pattern Identification Database
The National Stripe ID Database continues to grow and provide critical data on the distribution,
movement and abundance of Grevy’s zebra across its Laikipia, Isiolo and Samburu range. Recent
additions of data from Marsabit County have been made possible by the implementation of the
Northern Kenya Grevy’s Zebra Project or NKGZP (see below). All other sources of data continue
to deliver photographic information to the database manager – Lizbeth Njeri Mate (Photos 6 and 7)
– on a regular basis and field trips to facilitate this process continue to be undertaken.
Photos 6 and 7: Lizbeth working on the Grevy’s zebra National Stripe ID Database on the left, and in
the field on the right © Marwell
Lizbeth also provided maternity cover for one of Lewa’s staff members in a role which ensured that
the vital foal monitoring in the conservancy was not interrupted in 2013. Her involvement has been
of such benefit that she has been retained by Lewa to manage this protocol until the conservancy
has completed the re-development of their research department to allow for more capacity
internally. Lizbeth has consequently undertaken field work in Northern Kenya on a monthly basis
as a result of these activities. Photographs from Ol Pejeta Conservancy have also been entered
into the database, and plans are underway to collect and enter photos of Grevy’s zebra from Meru
National Park as well as Oserian Wildlife Conservancy.
The latest data analysis of the National Stripe ID Database is presented below and in Figures 3 – 5
and Table 2:
• Total number of images entered into the database: 14,791
• Total number of unique individuals identified in the database: 2,974
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We have begun to build a picture of sex ratio for the animals in the database and can identify
animals that were first seen as foals or juveniles and have been re-captured on camera as adults
(Table 2). In the long run, this will help us to assess the survival rates and longevity of wild Grevy’s
zebra. Together with the information we are gathering from our collared animals, we can provide
data to the Ministry of Wildlife and Tourism to support the gazetting of wildlife corridors between
important Grevy’s habitat areas.
1400
1200
Number of individuals per sex
1276
1126
942
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Female
Male
Unknown
Figure 3. The sex ratio is not necessarily representative of the whole Grevy’s zebra population but is
likely a result of the way the data are collected
The sex ratio of 1:1.33 (Males to Females) represents only the individuals captured in the stripe ID
database. As the data is collected in specific areas and cannot include the entire population
throughout Grevy’s zebra range, it does not mean this is the ratio of males to females in the entire
wild population (Figure 3).
The total number of individuals identified has increased each year since the stripe ID project began
(Figure 4). The number of individuals does not represent the total number of animals in the
population at the present time as it is impossible to know whether all those identified are still alive.
Total individuals each year
2262
2514
Individuals in
2011
Individuals in
2012
2974
Individuals in
2013
Figure 4. Increase in the number of individually identified Grevy’s zebra held in the national Stripe ID
Database over the last three years.
Number of Images in database
14791
9861
5348
2011
2012
2013
Figure 5. Increase in the number of total images obtained of Grevy’s zebra over the last three years.
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2011
2012
2013
1442
1597
1906
77
111
183
27
59
34
Foal only
220
236
332
Juvenile only
101
120
113
Other
395
391
405
2262
2514
2973
Adult only
Foal and adult
Foal and Juvenile
TOTAL
Table 2. The data in the table shows a comparison in the number of individual animals that have been
seen over the last three years as adult only, foal only, juvenile only, foal and juvenile and foal and
adult.
The continued employment of a well-trained experienced, database project manager is still a
central goal of this work and we hope to retain Lizbeth full time once she completes her studies.
Lizbeth is in the final stages of her MA in Project Management qualification and is preparing to
write her final dissertation entitled, ‘The Impact of The National Stripe ID Database Project for
Grevy’s Zebra Monitoring’.
All this would not be possible without the funds for Lizbeth’s salary, office supplies and travel
money provided by our supporters. Thank you once again.
Grevy’s Zebra Collaring
To date, the GZTC has deployed 24 collars on Grevy’s zebra on Lewa and in the Wamba and
Laisamis areas. The telemetry study is progressing well and with on-going maintenance we
anticipate a valuable long-term contribution to Grevy’s conservation. The data have already
contributed to several national-level planning processes in Kenya’s 2030 Vision for a middleincome economy. These include a National Priority Project to map the wildlife corridors in northern
Kenya; road upgrade planning documents to ensure wildlife safety through traffic calming
measures; and the, already mentioned, National Conservation Strategy. Marwell Wildlife has been
integral as a facilitator, technical advisor and funder on all these initiatives.
Photos 8 and 9: Helicopter collaring operation in 2012 on the left, and fitting the collar to the same
individual on the right © Marwell
Several international students have made use of these data in their studies and we are anticipating
another MSc dissertation from French student, Paulo le Roux (sponsored by the Grevy’s Zebra
Trust [GZT]), before the end of the year. Paolo’s study is using the telemetry data in combination
with camera trap data to analyse water access in the rapidly developing Laisamis community. His
study is entitled, ‘An assessment of dry season access and use of water sources by Grevy’s zebra
and other wildlife in Laisamis, Kenya’. The telemetry data have identified key water resources that
Paolo will now investigate using the camera traps in four locations near Laisamis town. Marwell
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Wildlife is assisting Paulo with study design and field supervision for his analysis and write-up
alongside GZT.
All six collars acquired in 2012 have been deployed in critical Grevy’s zebra locations. Four were
applied in the Laisamis population to reveal migratory patterns between foraging grounds and
water sources close to human habitation (Figure 6).
Figure 6. Three track point plots from four collars deployed at Laisamis in 2012. The collared zebras
move away from the mobile phone coverage area from time to time, but return before long. The
image shows how the animals are making regular trips to the south west, to access water points on
the boundary of Laisamis Town, and then return to their grazing grounds in the north east again.
These oscillations are taking place every 3 – 5 days.
One of these collars was used to replace the expired collar on our female in Kalama Community
Conservancy and this operation subsequently revealed that she had produced a foal (Photos 10
and 11, and Figure 7).
Photos 10 and 11: Kalama Female with foal on the left, and fitting her new GPS radio collar, centre
and right © Marwell
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Figure 7. The Kalama female’s movements have shifted in recent weeks. Having left the Kalama
Community Conservancy she is concentrating her movements between the dry plains east of the
Wamba road junction with the A2 national Highway. Her tracks describe a regular route between a
water point on a small tributary to the north of the Waso Nyiro River, and her grazing area
approximately 10 km to the north.
The sixth collar has been placed on a male, Mshale, who migrates between Lewa Wildlife
Conservancy and the community conservancy to the north, Leparua (Figure 8). The stallion uses a
wildlife corridor gap in Lewa’s electric fence to access resources up to 5 km outside the
conservancy. Field trips to investigate his territory and camera trap photos of his gap crossings
have found that he is visiting an area of grassy pasture in Leparua between 6.00pm and 6.00am
several times a week.
With Lewa’s assistance we will be purchasing a further six collars this year, in order to deploy them
in Leparua itself to study the movement of animals between Laikipia and Samburu more closely.
In addition to this, funding contributions from Kolmarden Zoo in 2012 have enabled us to purchase
a further ten collar units of a more recent design. These units will have twice the battery life and
better GPS and VHF signal reception and transmission. We will be mounting an operation to
replace collars on all previously collared animals in order to keep these individuals reporting vital
data.
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Figure 8. Mshale’s movements: points downloaded from his GPS collar indicate his recent positions
and show how his territory spans the northern boundary of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
Maintaining this level of fine-scale data collection using collars is an important part of the long-term
strategy for Marwells’ Grevy’s zebra conservation. The data are extremely useful and their value
increases with each additional year of monitoring. We are highly dependent on the EEP
contributions to this work and are enormously grateful for the support to date. Please consider this
project as a top priority in the long-term conservation of the wild, free ranging populations of the
species. The hard evidence of their use of the environment, selection of habitats and resource
needs is a critical factor in the wide-scale protection of their ecosystems, and cannot be replicated
as efficiently by any other means.
Disease Investigation
The Disease Response Committee (DRC) formed in 2012 has been hard at work refining
guidelines for the prevention, early detection and management of disease in wild Grevy’s zebra
populations. Marwell Wildlife is represented on this committee and provides a channel for funding
donated through the EEP and to implement the strategies and activities that the committee
recommends.
Our study on Babesiosis has not yet been accepted for publication, however the MSc report is
available for citation as a published thesis (Hawkins and Kock 2011). The field laboratory is now
complete with all items purchased and installed at the Marwell Research Centre field laboratory on
Lewa. We are still hoping to raise funds for a fulltime technician and have tabled the suggestion
that the DRC invite final year veterinary students and graduates to apply for internships to fill this
position. We hope that this will encourage young Kenya-trained vets to take an interest in wildlife
and offer some time at a nominal rate in order to gain first-hand experience working with wildlife
and processing samples. This means that the funding requirements for the lab are now met and
we are pleased to be able to report that the laboratory is in fulltime use by the KWS vet stationed at
Lewa, along with visiting students.
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Drought Relief
We are also happy to report that no further intervention was required during 2012 and, to date, in
2013 to augment the feeding of Grevy’s zebra owing to drought. Rainfall has been sufficient to
ensure good forage and we hope that the remaining dry months of 2013 will not be severe enough
to warrant this activity having to be implemented again. Based on our previous experience we
have developed a drought relief strategy and guidelines for feeding wild zebra should this ever
become necessary again. The document forms part of the DRC guideline series and is available
to anyone interested.
Funding for such interventions is usually required during existing crises based on unpredictable
conditions. For this reason it is vital that we retain an emergency fund to enable us to contribute to
such crises rapidly. This has been the case twice in the recent past, with the 2006 anthrax
outbreak and the drought response. Any donations, which are not specifically earmarked and
restricted to a particular project, will be held in this fund, no matter how small – so please consider
your contribution vital to our readiness!
Building Capacity for Conservation and Research
Wildlife and Vegetation Monitoring
We continue our collaboration with York University student, Marc Dupuis-Desormeaux, who is
investigating animal movement and behaviour on Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. We have supported
this study with technical advice, field supervision and equipment in the form of camera traps
installed at several wildlife corridor gaps in fence lines between Lewa and neighbouring Borana
Ranch. This study will document the changes in animal movements between the two properties
when the boundary fence is removed. The removal of this fence has been delayed by the
relocation of endangered black rhino to Borana, which took place after two years of planning in the
September 2013. We are interested in observing the response of Grevy’s zebra to the change in
land access when the fence is removed. Borana has a high percentage of habitat that is suitable
for Grevy’s. However, there is a potential physical barrier between the two properties in the form of
an escarpment. Time will tell if this bold land-use change will be an asset for our endangered
equids as well.
After meeting with stakeholders in community conservation on the hand-over of monitoring
activities to community institutions in 2012, the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), in partnership
with US based organisations, The Nature Conservancy and Syracuse University, have begun
expanding the vegetation monitoring protocol established by Marwell Wildlife and NRT between
2007 and 2010. The protocol will use the standard methods implemented by Marwell to inform a
soils carbon sequestration project, which will assist with Community Conservation development
across the NRT areas. GZT is implementing a holistic-grazing programme with monitoring and
evaluation to improve grazing and wildlife resources.
Marwell has invested much time, together with the NRT, in designing and implementing vegetation
monitoring and evaluation methods for communities.
Photos 12 and 13: Zeke instructing a NRT student in vegetation monitoring on the left, and a group
discussing their findings on the right © Marwell
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This has involved several years of participatory monitoring, training their scout personnel and
holding meetings to explain these activities. Vegetation restoration and monitoring are ongoing
through partners such as the GZT and the NRT, and Marwell hopes to further these events as a
long term investment in the quality and availability of grazing for Grevy’s zebra populations.
Professional Development
As already mentioned above (see ‘Digital Stripe Pattern Identification Database’), Lizbeth Njeri
Mate, the young Kenyan woman who works with us managing the National Stripe ID Database and
is enrolled for a postgraduate course leading to a MA in Project Planning and Management, has
completed her third semester exams and is waiting for her results. Her marks so far have been
very good and we are expecting her to pass her latest exams with flying colours. Lizbeth is,
therefore, now in the final stages of her MA qualification. Soon she will begin her fieldwork in
preparation to writing her final dissertation entitled, ‘The Impact of The National Stripe ID Database
Project for Grevy’s Zebra Monitoring’, based on the work she carries out on a daily basis with
Grevy’s zebra.
Her studies based on Grevy’s zebra conservation will position her to adopt more of a management
role and allow us to increase her utility across Marwell’s Kenyan fieldwork.
We are also now in talks with two potential MSc candidates whom we would like to offer the
opportunity for project bursaries and/or funds for their University course. Please see the Milgis
Ecosystem section for more information on this.
Lewa Research Department Strategy 2012-2016
The Department is gearing up to expand its personnel and capacity to monitor and evaluate the
wildlife and ecology of the conservancy. This is all part of the development plan put in place under
the conservation and management strategy written with the help of Marwell in 2012. The
development plan hopes to re-position the department in the greater Lewa landscape to enable it
to contribute resources and assistance to neighbouring community conservancies and privately
owned wildlife land alike.
As part of the plan, several new monitoring officers will be put in place to manage the daily data
collection protocols for specific segments of Lewa’s monitoring programme. One of these officers
will be dedicated to maintaining records and activities focused on Grevy’s zebra. We anticipate
that this will improve the quantity and quality of data that the department can generate. It will also
enable the management staff to spend more time in processing and analysing the data to produce
management recommendations and outputs.
The Milgis Ecosystem
Grevy’s zebra conservation – Phase 1 of the Northern Kenya Grevy’s Zebra Project (NKGZP)
Photo 14: The El Barta area on the western boundary of the Milgis Ecosystem © Marwell
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In the 2012 report we outlined our plan to implement a Grevy’s zebra population monitoring study
in the far northern rangelands bordering Marsabit County. We are pleased to report that a funding
application to the Rufford Foundation was successful and the first phase of this project is now
being implemented. Ten camera traps have been supplied to eight monitoring scouts who are
working in teams of two to deploy the cameras at wells and along known zebra movement routes.
The scouts are embedded within the Milgis Trust’s scout force and our partnership with the Trust
will enable regular meetings and data transfer to be maintained from the remotely located study
sites. We were particularly thrilled when the community at Apache selected one of their women to
join the project. We were also pleased to be able to continue the employment of the original four
scouts that assisted in the pilot phase of this work.
Photos 15 and 16: Scouts being briefed by Zeke (left) and training on camera trap set up in the Milgis
(right) © Marwell
The cameras will be rotated through the landscape between the settlement of Anderi, at the foot of
Mount Nyiru, and Loltepes (Figure 9). Four locations in all will be sampled over the next eight
months to provide a population estimate derived from a capture re-capture methodology. All
animals photographed will also be entered into the National Stripe ID Database and this way
individual’s movements and repeat visits to water points will be logged and monitored.
Figure 9. Map showing locations of the Milgis Trust’s activities and Marwell’s Northern Kenya
Grevy’s Zebra Project (NKGZP).
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Reconnaissance of the area between Mt Nyiro and Mt Kulal in July 2013 provided four sightings of
Grevy’s zebra from the top of a small hill. The animals form part of what we believe is a previously
unstudied population living in this area, which may number as many as 150 individuals. To assist
in the management of this study we have identified two potential MSc candidates, Elijah Leshore,
from Kargi, and Enrika Nanyu from Ol Donyo Nasepa. Both are currently working as qualified
teachers in Baragoi and Archers Post respectively and are eager to change their careers to wildlife
conservation. To achieve this they are keen to continue their studies. We hope, therefore, to be
able to assist both by providing full Grevy’s zebra-related bursaries covering their fees, field costs
and living expenses. This year (2013-14) the selected candidate will assist the scouts in the
NKGZP to maintain their data collection activities, particularly collecting and downloading the
camera traps and processing the data. The candidate’s dissertation will detail the use of these
seasonal water points by the Grevy’s zebra groups and quantify the population dynamics in these
areas.
Photos 17 and 18: Zeke meeting community members in the Milgis area on the left, and a view across
the dry Milgis lugga on the right © Marwell
During our most recent trip to the Milgis area in July 2013 we regularly encountered tracks of large
carnivores. We were very excited to spend several hours following the fresh tracks of two adult
male lions travelling down the Milgis Lugga. The lions were scent marking as they went,
suggesting that they are marking territory and intend to stay in this area permanently. We also
encountered the tracks of several leopard, spotted and striped hyaena and wild dog during three
days of foot patrols. This indicates that the large carnivore guild is strengthening in the area and
as a result we are keen to continue working with the community in preparation for living alongside,
not only the elephants, but the carnivores as well.
Latakwen Clinic
We determined that a wind turbine was likely not the correct power solution for the Milgis Clinic in
Latakwen as discussed in last years report. However, we are still intending to provide a power
solution for the clinic and in the interim have solved the lighting problems with a solar light
installation which provides enough light for emergency work to be carried out at night. Once we
have found a more permanent solution for the power needs at Latakwen, we will re-deploy the
solar lamps to the Milgis School to augment those already installed. This will improve study
conditions for final year students who live at the school full time to take advantage of additional
tuition and study hours.
Ethiopian Grevy’s zebra status and distribution
The small population of Grevy’s zebra still remaining in Ethiopia has been estimated at between
110 and 281 individuals over the past ten years. Largely found in the centrally located Awash
National Park (AWER), there has always been hope that there are still some animals crossing
between the lava plains of northern Kenya and Chew Bahir (Lake Stephanie) in southern Ethiopia,
just north of Lake Turkana. Several expeditions into southern Ethiopia since the last national
survey in 2003 support the rough indications for today’s numbers. However, new energy and
impetus is being generated for a collaborative Kenyan and Ethiopian conservation effort for the
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Grevy’s zebra arising from the stakeholder workshop held in Kenya in 2012. Members from the
Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) attended the meeting and expressed a wish to
coordinate the work in an attempt to expand the Ethiopian population and its range once more.
Dr. Kifle Argaw, the Director of EWCA, underscored the importance of cross border
development of the strategy for managing and conserving the wild animal, “We need to
develop these species strategies together since if any country lags behind, it becomes a
headache for the rest. We need to jointly push the conservation agenda for the Grevy's
zebra and other species,” he said.
Nanyuki – Bernard Momanyi, 1 May 2012, All Africa News
Estimates for Grevy’s zebra populations in Ethiopia indicate a sharp decline between 1980 and
2003. Approximately 1,900 were detected in 1980 (Klingel, 1980); 577 animals in 1995 (Thouless,
1995); and down to 110 in 2003 (Williams et al., 2003). In 2007 Ethiopian authorities estimated
126 Grevy’s zebra remaining in Ethiopia (Kabede, pers. comm. 2007). This represents a 94% loss
over 23 years. The most recent census of Grevy’s zebra carried out in 2010, located animals in
two populations, in AWER, where 249 were found and a southern population including another 32
animals for a total of 281. While the increase between 2007 and 2010 is encouraging, it is
recognised that this is a small and isolated population under heavy threat of extirpation.
In 2010 Marwell Wildlife participated in a long-range survey of the Marsabit district bordering
Ethiopia and reports of movements between the Kenyan hinterland bordering Sibiloi National Park
and Stephanie Wildlife sanctuary in Ethiopia were a further indication that there may still be some
linkage between the two areas. Further monitoring and assessment are urgently required in order
to strengthen the Ethiopian capacity for conserving this population. A partnership between the
Wildlife Conservation and Environmental Development Association of Ethiopia (WildCODE) and
the Grevy’s Zebra Trust is already in place and seeking to develop community-based conservation
activities.
Photo 19: Grevy’s zebra on the salt pan of Chew Bahir (Lake Stephanie), Ethiopia © A.Nelson
Marwell Wildlife proposes to facilitate and develop collaborations between Kenyan partners in the
GZTC and the EWCA. A collaborative approach is key to strengthening cross border community
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ties, transboundary conservation efforts and regional objectives for Grevy’s zebra conservation.
This will initially require a long-range expedition into northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia, which
we envisage will take place during 2015. It will be carried out in conjunction with Ethiopian
partners, so ensuring a coordinated approach, during which social surveys will be undertaken and
monitoring methods deployed. The potential gains to Grevy’s zebra conservation are significant.
We believe it is now essential to extend our Grevy’s zebra conservation focus northwards. This is
based on the numerous reports we have received from communities living on the Kenyan and
Ethiopian border in settlements, such as Ferole, Buluk and Illeret, and in communities surrounding
these areas on both sides of the border, such as Kargi and Kalacha in Kenya and the Arbore
people of Chew Bahir in Ethiopia. Please see the 2010 expedition report (Low et al. 2010).
We hope to be able to present a formal proposal for a 2015 expedition to Ethiopia in the 2014
report.
References and further reading
Anyona, G. (2012). Stakeholders Workshop to Review the Grevy’s Zebra Conservation and
Management Strategy at Sportsman’s Arms Hotel Nanyuki Kenya, 25-26 April 2012, Workshop
Report. KWS. Unpublished report.
Bronner, G. (1990). Vegetation and land use in Mathews Range area, Samburu District,
Kenya. Dissertationes Botanicae160: 1–182.
Hawkins, E. & R. Kock (2011). Do Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) and co-grazing domestic donkey
(Equus Africanus asinus) populations in the Samburu district of northern Kenya share the same tick
species and are they infected by the same species of Babesia and Theileria? Unpublished report.
Kabede, F. (2007). Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, pers. comm.
Kenya Wildlife Service (2008). Conservation and management strategy for Grevy’s zebra (Equus
grevyi) in Kenya 2007 – 2011. KWS, Nairobi, Kenya. www.kws.org/Grevy's Zebra June 2008.pdf
Kenya Wildlife Service (2012). Conservation and Management Strategy for Grevy’s Zebra (Equus
grevyi) in Kenya (2012 - 2016). Compiled by Grevy’s Zebra Technical Committee, Nairobi, Kenya
Wildlife Service.
Klingel, H. (1980). Survey of African Equidae. IUCN Survival Service Commission, Gland, Switzerland.
Langenhorst, T. (2013). International studbook for Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) 2012, current until
31.12.2012. Marwell Wildlife, UK.
Langenhorst, T. & Z. Davidson (2012). Grevy’s Zebra Conservation 2013 Report & funding proposal
prepared for supporters & members of the Grevy’s zebra EEP conservation projects. Marwell
Wildlife, UK.
Lelenguyah, G. L. (2012). Drought, disease and Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) mortality – the Samburu
people perspective. Afr. J. Ecol. 50: 371–376.
Low, B., Muoria, P., Parker, G. & S. Sundaresan (2009). Report on the National Survey of Grevy’s
Zebra in Kenya 24-29 November 2008. Grevy’s zebra Technical Committee, unpublished report.
Low, B., Davidson, Z., Parker, G., Sundaresan, S., Fischer, M. and P. Lalampaa (2010). Reassessing
the status of Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi), and other large mammals in the Marsabit region of
northern Kenya.Unpublished report
Momanyi, B. (2012). All Africa News, Accessed online 17 September 2013:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201205010571.html?page=2.
Thouless, C. R. (1995b). Aerial Surveys for Wildlife in Omo Valley, Chew Bahir and Borana Areas of
Southern Ethiopia. London: Ecosystem Consultants.
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Our Grevy’s zebra conservation colleagues and partners
Marwell Wildlife works closely with Kenyan conservation partners with whom it develops joint
conservation programmes. Our key partners – listed alphabetically – are described briefly below:
African Wildlife Foundation (AWF)
AWF has an extensive presence in Kenya and is directly involved in Grevy’s zebra research in the
northern rangelands. AWF has contributed five of the radio collars for the current collaring project
and is a partner in the National Stripe Identification Project, contributing a significant database of
Grevy’s zebra photographs from the Samburu and Shaba areas. AWF collaborate closely with
Marwell and the GZTC in all matters of Grevy’s zebra conservation in Kenya
Disease Response Committee (DRC)
The DRC is a subcommittee of the GZTC. The committee members were appointed by the
Director of Kenya Wildlife Service, and include wildlife veterinarians, livestock veterinarians
(Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Livestock Development), research institutions
(University of Nairobi and Kenya Agriculture Research Institute - CVR Muguga), ecologists (KWS,
NGOs such as AWF, GZT and Marwell Wildlife), and wildlife managers (KWS parks and reserves
department).
Grevy’s Zebra Technical Committee (GZTC)
Originally formed as the Grevy’s Zebra Working Group (GZWG) to support the national survey for
Grevy’s zebra, this collaboration has since diversified into a range of Grevy’s zebra conservation
activities. These include anthropological surveys, the testing of various survey methods, analysis
of GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) radio collar data, and efforts towards a
centralised Grevy’s zebra identification database (the National Stripe ID Database). In recognition
of the key role GZWG played, Kenya Wildlife Service has requested that this working group
becomes the Grevy’s Zebra Technical Committee (GZTC).
The GZTC is a collaboration among seven organisations all committed to conserving Grevy’s
zebra, including: Grevy’s Zebra Trust (GZT), Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Marwell Wildlife,
University of Princeton/Denver Zoo (DZ/PU), Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), Kenya Wildlife
Service (KWS), and the AWF. Marwell continues to play a key role in the coordination of this
group and its activities.
Grevy’s Zebra Trust (GZT)
The Grevy’s Zebra Trust (GZT) has been established to address the urgent need to conserve
Grevy’s zebra in the community rangelands of Ethiopia and Kenya. GZT was tasked with
implementing the national survey of Grevy’s zebra in 2008, and has become an integral part of the
GZTC.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)
The KWS is the country’s statutory wildlife body and is ultimately responsible for the conservation
of Grevy’s zebra. In partnership with KWS, Marwell Wildlife and the EEP have contributed
significantly to the development of the national Grevy’s Zebra Conservation Strategy.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (Lewa or LWC)
The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy holds some 20 percent of the world’s remaining free-ranging
Grevy’s zebra and hosts a dynamic research programme. Marwell continues to support Grevy’s
zebra monitoring and research within Lewa, and many of the projects planned by the GZTC will be
carried out in collaboration with the Lewa Research Department (LRD).
Milgis Trust
The Milgis Trust is a non-profit organisation founded by wildlife conservationist and safari guide
Helen Douglas-Dufresne and her partner Peter Ilsley to sustain the wildlife, habitat and the pastoral
peoples’ way of life in northern Kenya.
In January 2010 the Trust approached Marwell with a request to establish wildlife monitoring within
the Milgis ecosystem and to assist with processing and analysing a backlog of wildlife data. As this
21
area is ideal Grevy’s zebra habitat, we jumped at the chance to work with this dynamic, dedicated
and intensely passionate team.
Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT)
NRT supports the development of community conservancies. Marwell has partnered with NRT to
implement a programme of training and capacity building to strengthen wildlife management within
all member-community conservancies. In addition, it has co-developed a system for wildlife and
vegetation monitoring which is being introduced to a selection of conservancies.
University of Princeton/Denver Zoo (DZ/PU)
Our association with DZ and PU are coordinated through the GZTC, as they are represented on
this committee. Both institutions have collaborated on a number of recent Grevy’s zebra
conservation activities. These include the survey of northern Kenya, the collaring project,
supplying six radio collars, and the stripe ID project, which is hosted at Mpala Research Centre in
Laikipia thanks to Princeton’s close association there.
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B. Proposed Activities for 2013-2014
We have been successful in meeting the funding requirements for all our planned activities in
2012-2013 and are currently in a phase of implementation and consolidation of the work in
hand. As a result, the funds we are seeking for 2013-2014 are for the maintenance of on-going
activities central to the national conservation of Grevy’s Zebra in Kenya. Funding requirements
are summarised per activity at the end of this section.
1. Grevy’s Zebra Collaring
Deployment of collars in the Laisamis area in 2012 required the use of a helicopter to locate
and dart the animals. Our flying time budget for the use of a helicopter was met by both EEP
donors and a private individual. The operation was a huge success. This year we will need to
fly once again, in order to relocate failing collars for replacement. We will not use a helicopter,
however, as this work will be carried out in the Wamba area where a fixed wing aircraft can be
used. Consequently, our costs, while marginally inflated, will be similar to our funding request
in 2012.
10 new collars are ready for deployment and an operation is being planned for the fourth
quarter of 2013 or the first quarter of 2014.
Our main funding requirement for the maintenance of this important work is for the cost of
deploying the collars. This requires the assistance of a KWS vet team comprising four people:
the vet, a driver for the mobile vet unit, a technician and a security scout. The team is typically
deployed from Lewa and we are able to complete operations within relatively short time periods
– 2 to 5 days. With the use of a light aircraft this will enable us to locate the collared animals
quickly and not rely on ground tracking and sighting the animals in dense bush. This should
improve our efficiency.
Outputs
Budgets for the capture of study animals and the deployment of collars
Fine-scale monitoring data
Conservation impact
As stated previously, this activity will extend the life of the collaring project which is designed to
provide detailed and representative information on Grevy’s zebra movement and ranging
patterns within the core of their range. It will enable us to determine the importance of key
resources (water, vegetation) and critical seasonal ranges for the entire Grevy’s zebra
population. The data generated by this project underpin crucial conservation decisions at a
national level and it is vital that we maintain the work.
1. Grevy’s Zebra Collaring
Flying Time (10 hours @ £120/hour)
3 x Zebra capture and immobilisation operations
£
1,200.00
3,600.00
4,800.00
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2. National Photo ID Database for Grevy’s Zebra
The National Stripe ID database has become entrenched in the National Conservation Strategy
for the species and is now a key tool in the long-term preservation of Grevy’s zebra. New
areas continue to be included in the data collection through the collaborative efforts of the
GZTC and, with the establishment of dedicated collaborative camera trap projects between
Laisamis town (by GZT) and South Hoar (Marwell). We are also pleased to report that through
the NKGZP fine-scale monitoring is extending further north in Kenya than it ever has before.
The EEP support we have received for maintaining the database is vital to its continuing
success. Such a wide-scale network of data collection and coordination is not possible without
the resources of a full-time database manager and the ability to deploy to field sites and
partners’ projects to facilitate the collection of information. This function needs to be
maintained and we prioritise this project for 2013-2014 as a core Grevy’s zebra conservation
activity.
Outputs
Expansion of the Stripe ID database
Contributions to the National Conservation of Wildlife in Kenya
Analysis of movement patterns in conjunction with collar data
Improved GIS model of linkages between sub-populations and preferred habitats
Population census data
Revision of the species range map
Publication of reports and peer reviewed papers on the biogeography of Grevy’s zebra
Conservation impact
The Stripe ID database is a cost-effective means of monitoring movement, distribution and
abundance of Grevy’s zebra. As numbers of digital cameras, particularly on mobile phones,
increase in Kenya, it will become possible for the Stripe ID system to function as an ongoing,
real time tool for monitoring Grevy’s zebra in remote areas. Furthermore, understanding the
socio-spatial behaviour of Grevy’s populations will enable conservation efforts to be more
effectively deployed for the maintenance of key habitat, connectivity and population expansion.
2. National Photo ID Database for Grevy’s Zebra
4 x field trips to collect photo ID data
Database manager at £700/month, over 12 months (2014)
£
4,000.00
8,400.00
12,400.00
3. Far Northern Grevy’s Zebra Project
This project was part funded by a Rufford Grant this year and re-named the Northern Kenya
Grevy’s zebra Project (NKGZP). We have begun to implement the work now with 8 scouts
deploying the 10 camera traps we have in hand for the work at the moment. You can find more
details on this project in Part A of this report.
Here we are requesting top up funding for the work underway. Should you be interested in
supporting the NKGZP please request a copy of the full project proposal for details.
3. Far Northern Grevy’s Zebra Project
£
Camera Traps (10 units at £250 per unit)
Mileage and vehicle running costs
Scout allowances (£2/day x 10 for 6 months)
Field Trip research fees (community fees, 2 researchers for 12 months)
2,500.00
1,800.00
3,360.00
700.00
8,360.00
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Summary of projects and costs in 2013-2014
1. Grevy’s Zebra Collaring
Flying Time (10 hours @ £120/hour)
3 x Zebra capture and immobilisation operations
2. National Photo ID Database for Grevy’s Zebra
4 x field trips to collect photo ID data
Database manager at £700/month, over 12 months (2014)
3. Far Northern Grevy’s Zebra Project
Camera Traps (10 units at £250 per unit)
Mileage and vehicle running costs
Scout allowances (£2/day x 10 for 6 months)
Field Trip research fees (community fees, 2 researchers for 12 months)
Total:
£
1,200.00
3,600.00
4,800.00
4,000.00
8,400.00
12,400.00
2,500.00
1,800.00
3,360.00
700.00
8,360.00
£25,560.00
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