Conservation experts warn of coming El Nino impact on wild animals

Wildlife conservation experts have raised alarm of a possible crisis as a result of El Nino rains that are expected to rock the country as per the meteorological department prediction.

According to Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), Amboseli National Park has been mapped out as a controlled zone expected to receive heavy rainfall with water levels for lakes in the Rift Valley expected to rise as well.

WRTI Director Dr Patrick Omondi, while speaking at the just concluded first Wildlife Scientific Conference in Naivasha, said the institute has offered a myriad of data to inform mitigation measures that will ensure the well-being of natural resources in the country.

“The institute is working closely with KWS in coming up with mitigation measures around parks and water bodies so that we can reduce the impact of the rains,” noted Omondi.

Director warned of a possible increase in human-wildlife conflict as a result of the anticipated floods from El Nino rains expected this month.

Conference comes at an appropriate time to come up with a framework that will see the implementation of policies that have been developed over time.

Dr Omondi said the government has come up with a wildlife data bank that will inform decision and policy making in order to ensure wildlife corridors and the natural habitat for the animals is not interfered with.