'Endangered' Beisa Oryx Project Launched — Northern Rangelands Trust

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash — Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

A focused conservation action for Beisa Oryx has been successfully launched in Nakuprat-Gotu Community Conservancy, aimed at protecting the endangered antelope.

Nakuprat Gotu Conservancy is home to Beisa Oryx, accounting to at least 10% of the country’s population following the July 2020 count in July 2020 where an estimated 880 individuals were counted.

In May 2020, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officials and the community in Nakuprat Gotu while launching the project vowed to conserve and protect the endangered species that could face extinction following threats from humans who have been hunting it for it horns or game meat.

Beisa oryx are currently listed as ‘Endangered’ by IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, which prompted the Nakuprat-Gotu Community Conservancy – a historical stronghold for the antelope – to launch focused conservation action.

The population of these antelopes are declining across their ranges due to habitat loss, hunting, and competition with livestock for pasture.

But, with support from partners including the IUCN Save Our Species, co-funded by the European Union and Northern Rangelands Trust, the conservancy is rolling out conservation efforts and sensitizing communities on the need to protect the species from possible extinction.

“The protection of Beisa Oryx cannot be successful if people will continue destroying their natural habitat through cutting down trees for charcoal burning, we need to plant more trees to provide the best habitat for the oryx to thrive,” says Isiolo KWS Senior Warden Peter Mbote.

The project is set to equip local youth with vocational skills ranging from masonry, plumbing, motorcycle and mobile mechanics, carpentry and welding through a programme dubbed Ujuzi Manyattani- which will provide an alternative source of income.

Handing over of a land cruiser vehicle provided with the financial support of the European Union through IUCN Save Our Species

Disclaimer: This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union through IUCN Save Our Species. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Northern Rangelands Trust and do not necessarily reflect the views of IUCN or the European Union.

With the support of IUCN Save Our Species, co-funded by the European Union