Why Giraffes Have Such Long Necks.

By Duncan Oduor

Soysambu Conservancy Research Centre

Giraffes are generally said to have evolved to enable them eat high leaves that their rivals could not reach (enable them to eat hard-to-reach food). The evidence supporting this theory is weak.Studies have shown that giraffes in most part of Africa rarely browse the tips of trees even when lower leaves are scarce.

Another theory does with sexual selection. Giraffes’ necks begin to grow and once they reach certain length, males begin to use them as weapons. The animals compete for female favors(Dominancy). The male ones thwacking(Necking) each other’s ribs and legs with their heads, which are reinforced with horn-like growth called ossiccones. Male Giraffes’ with longest necks deliver hardest blow. This theory does not explain why females also have long necks but not long as males.

MALE NECKING

Giraffe and bird species in danger

By Nation Reporter

Posted Thursday, August 12 2010 at 21:00

Some species of bird and giraffe are on the brink of extinction unless urgent measures are taken to conserve them.

Scientists working in Kenya said the Sokoke Scops Owl, a small member of the species, faces extinction in East Africa due to illegal logging in indigenous forests in the Coastal and North East Tanzania.

Dr Munir Virani of The Peregrine Fund and the National Museums of Kenya found an estimated 1,025 pairs during his study in the early 1990s, and during this recent study, he and his colleague’s estimated only 800 pairs.

“The Sokoke Scops Owl is considered a flagship of the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and is an indicator of the health of the forest” Dr Virani said.

The Rothschild’s giraffe is the latest African mammal to be declared “endangered” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

There are nine recognised giraffe sub-species and the Rothschild’s is the second most endangered, with less than 670 remaining in the wild, says Kenya Wildlife Service.

 Situation in Soysambu Conservancy

By Duncan Oduor and Beatrice Limo

Out of the remaining 670 rothschild giraffes the Soysambu conservancy has a population estimate of 70,currently most of the adult females have young ones ranging five months to 2 years old.This is an indication of a healthy population and quick measures should be put in place to help conserve them.We are infact optimistic that one of the females is  calving soon,this was reported by one of the researchers :Zoe Muller who is currently taking her studies on the same.We are welcoming more students,consevationists,stakeholders and donors who have interest in helping Soysambu conservancy and the world to improve their population.Enough data has to be collected and analysed  for mitigation measures.

Rothschild giraffe in Soysambu Conservancy.

In exercise of the Wildlife Act the Minister for Wildlife and Forestry has declared Soysambu to be a wildlife sanctuary. Our director, Kat Combes, has worked on this for the last five years so that we can get UNESCO nomination for a World Heritage Site.

We would also like to ask ask those residents and stakeholders on and around Lake Elmenteita to support GLECA (Greater Lake Elmenteita Conservation Area). There will be a meeting soon to discuss the management of the Lake with the Kenya Wildlife Service. There is a draft management plan.

The declaration of Lake Elmenteita Wildlife Sanctuary is a step forward in the nomination of the Kenya Rift Valley Lakes World Heritage Site. It will provide national protection to this incredibly fragile lake. Soysambu borders the Lake on the west. We look forward to working with our neighbors in protecting this valuable part of Kenya’s heritage.

Cactus plant is in the family: Cactaceae, it originates from Mexico. It grows like a tree. The plant has succulent stem while the leaves are spined hence adapted to extremely arid or semi arid conditions. The spines prevent it from being eaten (humans know how to go about nature) and reduces rate of transpiration. They can be used as ornamental plants as some produce beautiful red flowers and their fruits are edible.

The cactus plantation is coming up very quickly and it is taking over the grazing fields creating competition for pasture thus posing risks to both wildlife and livestock (a population of approximately 17,000) during dry seasons.

The cactus fruits are green and turn yellow when ripe. One has to put in mind that everything that glitters is not gold, the fruits have small spines if not handled with care they are pricky and painful. Christine one of my cousin had never seen this plant before when she saw the ripe fruits, she couldn’t help picking them afterwards she couldn’t close her mouth which was full of spines ha! ha! ha!…….aaaaaaaa.

May be your suggestion on how to control /eradicate this invasive plant will be of great help to Soysambu. Any suggestions are welcome.

Today, I set out with only one mission in mind, to take a photo of the Egyptian Geese I had spotted a few days ago. Even though my photographic skills are not sharp, I managed to take a few photos of the pair of Egyptian Geese.

The Egyptian Geese were browner in colour, with chestnut patches on the feathers and around each eye, what a spectacular appearance! Its Conservation Status is of Least Concern (LC), that is, ICUN 3.1

As I approached, the female goose (the smaller one) started making cackling noises and stayed hidden for a while, with the male curiously eyeing me. I am suspecting there are eggs somewhere and I can’t wait to see the Goslings as am intrigued by nature.

My curiosity couldn’t help as I wanted a nice shot, but they got scared and flew off a few metres from the water to dry land. Phew!!

Soysambu Conservancy is rich in bird life!

Lake Elmenteita is now blossoming!! It’s amazing that in a short span of the rainy season there is a great difference with waterfowls celebrating the new lease of life. Infact, if you were to be given a photo shot in December 2009 and May 2010, you cannot tell it is the same place.

The Lake has been known to be a stopover site for migratory birds from Asia, South Africa, USA and Europe. Furthermore, it is a breeding site for the Great White Pelican! the Lesser and Greater Flamingo mingle with the Great White Pelican and other waterfowls.

Did you know that the Lesser Flamingo is recorded as a Threatened species? Thus the great need to conserve and preserve Lake Elmenteita, which is almost three quarter within Soysambu Conservancy. I have never heard of a Conservancy, which has a Lake within it except Soysambu Conservancy. Do you know of any? You will then agree with me it’s a very unique feature.

As Kenya pushes for the three lakes to join the World Heritage Site, we are glad that Lake Elmenteita is nominated among them as it’s a place with ecological significance.

The Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp luxury Tented Camp construction commenced in April and is scheduled for opening in December 2010.
As the construction is coming up, you can imagine the magnificence of the Camp when it will be completed. Talking to one of the engineers the plans they have, makes me dream rather wish of spending just a night in the Camp. My imagination tells me it will be a small paradise on earth.

The Camp is located along the shores of Lake Elmenteita which hosts the beautiful Lesser and Greater Flamingos and the Breeding site of the Pelican and other water fowls As you sit back and relax, you can see the beautiful sceneries and its reflection in the lake that nature offers.

It’s approximately 120km from Nairobi and 25 km from Nakuru. The Soysambu Conservancy is centrally located as tourists can easily access the Central, Mountain, Eastern tourist circuits and the Mara.

The Serena’s will be exclusively offer their customers the best services and nature will ensure you relax and forget all your sorrows, fears and stress. I hope the moment you leave this place you will be a new you, ready to face the future with courage and confidence.

It is amazing how nature takes it’s course without human interference. A month ago we saw these rare white and black birds with red bills and feet feeding within the Conservancy. We didn’t take much interest after realising that they were Eurasian white storks, (Ciconia Ciconia), an European migrant. At first there were small numbers of birds. We didn’t recognize what they were feeding upon until we called the National Museums of Kenya and perused the Bird Book and we realized they feed on small insects, frogs, mice, rats and snakes.    

European Whitestorks

Suddenly the numbers started to increase and the fields were white and black. We were interested to know what they were feeding on. We spotted Army worms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) which had invaded the area in large numbers. After the heavy rains there was healthy tall, green grass which we thought would be enough food for both Livestock and Wildlife till the next rains. This worms have attracted a number of birds species and in the Conservancy you will spot a variety of bird species such as Abdim stork, Marabou stork, sacred ibis, cattle egrets, grey wagtail, Lesser, greater and superb starlings and weaver birds feeding on them. Soysambu Conservancy is a birders’ paradise and now you can sit back, relax and listen to the sweet melodies from these satisfied birds The Army worms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) invaded the grassland and are feeding on the grass. You might mistake their impact on the grassland with a lawn mower as where they have eaten is now bare. The process of ‘eat and being eaten’ is in progress; Grass————-> Army worms————->White stork————-> Marabou stork. The Marabou Storks (the undertakers) stalk the White storks as they prey on the young ones and the weak. Though the Amy worms (Spodoptera Frugiperda) have already eaten up pasture for both livestock and Wildlife we are happy that nature is taking it’s course. The Conservancy is playing a great role in the eco-system. The storks conquer the Army worm before they eat this years maize crop. Maize farmers are happy, there is no need for artificial intervention and it ensures survival of other organisms that could have killed by use of chemicals. You cant miss the spectacular sights that nature has for us if we can find ways to coexist!

By supporting Soysambu Conservancy to erect 85 km (53 miles) fence, the benefits will be: protection to wildlife and the habitats; acts as a gene bank, for posterity and minimize Human wildlife Conflict among the neighboring Communities which will improve their living standards. 

Gene Rurka Of S.C.I.F during his visit

So far Soysambu Conservancy through donors has provided clean water to Game Njeru Community, donated Acaricide to Kiungururia Community, provision of desks, chairs stationeries, playing balls and microscopes to Schools, energy saving stoves and completion of the Elmenteita Dispensary.

Help us secure the fragile ecosystem for Flamingo, breeding grounds for the Great White, Pink backed Pelicans and other aquatic life. This will ensure the ecosystem is protected from destructive human activities such as diversion of river water at the catchment area, cultivating up to riverbeds, destruction of trees around the Riparian area etc.

Support us to put up a Research Centre where students can carry out research activities, have veterinary services to cater for sick and injured wildlife, monitor zoonotic diseases e.t.c.