[PHOTOS]: Rain showers reprieve for wildlife in Amboseli

In Summary

• Grass and trees have started to green following showers of rain and conservationists hope rains will sustain to bring pasture for cattle and wildlife.

by ANDREW KASUKU and SHARON MWENDE

InPictures

26 November 2022 - 18:08

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A giraffe feeds at Kimana Sanctuary, outskirts of Amboseli National Park on November 26, 2022.
Image: ANDREW KASUKU

Ongoing rains have come as a reprieve to wild animals in Amboseli National Park due to the ongoing drought.

Grass and trees have started to green again following showers of rain and conservationists hope the rains will sustain and bring pasture for cattle and wildlife.

Zebras and cattle on fresh grass following ongoing rains near Chyullu Hills mountain range, Kajiado on November 26, 2022.
Image: ANDREW KASUKU

Officials at Big Life Foundation, one of the organisations engaged in conservation in Amboseli ecosystem have lamented unprocedural land subdivision where range lands are being sold and developed, denying cattle and wildlife grazing areas hence exacerbating effects of drought.

BLF is popular with wild animals which move from other areas in Amboseli ecosystem in search of pasture.

Cattle feed on fresh grass following ongoing rains near Chyullu Hills mountain range, Kajiado on November 26, 2022.
Image: ANDREW KASUKU

The ongoing drought has killed more than 300,000 livestock, as estimated by the State Department of Livestock.

According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) the massive wildlife death, lists 49 Grevy’s zebras, 381 common zebras, 512 wildebeests,205 elephants,51 buffalos and 12 giraffes in the past nine months.

A wildbeast looks on a carcass of another wildbeat at Mbirikani Group Range, near Chyullu mountain range, Kajiado on November 26, 2022.
Image: ANDREW KASUKU

A weaverbird builds its nest in Kimana area, outskirts of Amboseli National Park, Kajiado on November 26, 2022.
Image: ANDREW KASUKU

Elephants are seen as wildlife recover from drought at Kimana Sanctuary, outskirts of Amboseli National Park on November 26, 2022.
Image: ANDREW KASUKU