Nairobi National Park is a haven for antelopes, such as these oribi, translocated in from agricultural land in western Kenya. I saw 3 today:these shy creatures can more easily be seen now that there is so little vegetation in the park…
The resident herbivores are finding it difficult in the dry, hot conditions prevailing; but not Grantis (you can see why they is called “oloibor siadi” -the ‘white behind’ in the Maasai language!) , which are very well adapted to living on the hot dessicated savannah.They can exist perfectly well without water.
The beestes are back! Almost miraculously some 1,000 of these (in our ecosystem) increasingly rare grazers have found their way back into the park. Precise numbers will be communicated in the next post as a count took place last sunday, but no details available from KWS, yet.
The gnu look good considering illegal cattle grazing has turned the entire park into short-grass plains habitat,with very little ‘short grass’. The black mob on the horizon are the herd seen in the pic above….talk about a blasted heath!
Kongoni -in decline nearly everywhere from grazing competition with cattle -are now having to contend with cattle competition in their”protected” haven in the Park.
As always in a drought, the old & the weak are in poor condition; let’s hope they get through this period (there are many young at heel) as this population of Coke’s hartebeest, which is critical in terms of the Athi Kapiti ecosystem.
The water holes are drying up…..
Another rare denizen of the park: a bush duiker -no doubt only visible because of the paucity of vegetation…..
Thirsty gnu….
Even giraffe -supremely adapted to life on the African plain- are getting hungry & wandering far & wide in search of browse -including to my garden in the Silole Sanctuary. In the Langata Forest some of their favourite food shrubs - Rus natalensis -has died owing to drought. We can only hope that the rain arrives on schedule mid-October……..
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Hi Will i saw a new antelope -looked like oribi – do we have oribi in Nrb park? Female and calf – no horns. size of gazelle but duiker like in build and in the long grass – will try to find that photo
Yes everyone are waiting for the rains, the only worry is if the downpours are heavy once they do appear is that a lot of the fertile land will be washed away, especially in the hardest hit areas….. Only positive aspect is that the carnivores are able to fatten up and build up their reserves ! Reading the updates here on WLD, people from around the world are sending their positive thoughts for rains !
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[...] water holes are drying, there is no grazing or browsing vegetation, and the situation is worrying. Will Knocker posted on October 7 saying: Even giraffe -supremely adapted to life on the African plain- are getting hungry & [...]
[...] water holes are drying, there is no grazing or browsing vegetation, and the situation is worrying. Will Knocker posted on October 7 saying: Even giraffe -supremely adapted to life on the African plain- are getting hungry [...]