Skip to content

Nature

Wild species numbers in the Masai Mara drop by two thirds

by Laura Brown 01 Jun 2011
Wild species numbers in the Masai Mara drop by two thirds

Wild species numbers in the Masai Mara have dropped by up to 70% over a thirty year period, new research has revealed.

Scientists have published their findings in the Journal of Zoology after examining data from aerial monitoring in the nature reserve and the wider Mara, which began in 1977.

The dramatic reduction has called into question conservation efforts in the Masai Mara which began in 2000.

Dr Joseph Ogutu led a team of researchers from the Bioinformatics unit at the University of Hohenheim in Germany, alongside the International Livestock Research Unit in Nairobi.

They discovered in the Masai Mara, number of Impala, warthog, topi and Coke's hartebeest have reduced by 70%.

Outside of the nature reserve in the wider Mara, buffalo and wild dogs have all but disappeared. Even the annual migration of wildebeest has shown their numbers have reduced by up to 64% since the early 1980s. The number of wildebeest on the Serengeti, where they migrate from, has remained unchanged. During the west season, where there is no migration, resident wildebeest numbers have fallen by 97%.

The startling research findings come on the back of a 2009 study which found the populations of some large mammals was dropping. This fuller picture was gained with better and more comprehensive sampling and monitoring methods.

The problem is not limited to the nature reserve of the Masai Mara. In the Mara itself, only numbers of ostriches and elephants have not fallen.

The scientists have identified three potential causes for the decline. Despite conservancy efforts which began in 2000 - 2001 and an increase in local policing to target poaching, Dr Ogutu quotes figures of 1500 poachers who have been arrested in the last decade.

Of equal significance has been the expansion of settlements and the increase of grazing livestock in the reserve.

The numbers of grazing cattle has increased by 1100%. The heavy grazing of this livestock displaces the natural fauna, the foodstuff of most of the larger mammals. Combined with severe droughts in recent decades, this leaves the larger species facing potential starvation.

Dr Ogutu and his team are calling for a stricter regulation of the expansion of settlements as it risks damaging the Masai Mara's reputation as a conservation area.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping