The significantly reduced number of flamingoes at the famous Lake Nakuru National Park due to seismic flooding has impacted negatively on the number of tourists who visit the county, especially bird watchers.
Park warden Titus Mitau said the flooding, which is suspected to be induced from underground across all the Rift Valley lakes, resulted in the dilution of the water and considerably reduced the algae, which the flamingoes feed on.
Mitau said the flooding has not only relocated the flamingoes, but the villagers neighbouring the lake who have also been forced to migrate to other areas.
He said there have been various theories from scientists on the cause of the flooding, including the heavy rains of 2019-2020, but the prolonged drought induced by climate change has not reduced the waters.
The warden said the algae which happens to be the only food that flamingoes feed on, naturally decreases when the salinity of the lake fluctuates due to the rising of water levels.
Mitau further said the flamingoes have migrated to Lake Natron in Tanzania, and the past predictable migration patterns have totally been disrupted and no one knows when they might return.
The warden decried the reduced number of tourists visiting the park, but would not give the figures since he's not authorised to do so.
Mitau said it has negatively impacted the curio sellers near the park and the hotels that are domiciled within the park, such as the Sarova Lion Hill lodges.
“This park was internationally renowned, especially by birdwatchers who appreciated it due to its large heritage of flamingoes and other numerous birds not easily found in various countries, but all that has changed due to climate change,” he said.
Mitau said the flooding has not only affected the park infrastructure such as roads and buildings, but it has also reduced the grazing ground for the other animals.
