Conservancy Management Plan,2017: Soysambu Conservancy,Kenya
Projects Abroad
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Abstract: Projects Abroad Kenya,along with its African Savannah Conservation Project partner Soysambu Conservancy,is located in the Great Rift Valley of central Kenya. Soysambu Conservancy is a not-for profit organization that is dedicated to protecting 48,000 acres (190 km2 ) of land for wildlife and other compatible land use. The conservancy is located in the heart of the Great Rift Valley in Lake Elmenteita Basin in Nakuru County about 120km northwest of Nairobi. Soysambu Conservancy is in Kenya Wildlife Serviceâ??s (governmentâ??s custodian of wildlife and its resources) list of endangered ecosystems and in need of urgent conservation. The conservancy is home to more than 100 of the endangered Rothschildâ??s giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi). Projects Abroad has partnered with the conservancy to help undertake the monitoring of this sub species. Work at this project will prove to be very crucial in the battle to conserve this species along with many other mammal and bird species that are threatened within this reserve. The entry of a pride of lions from Lake Nakuru National park (LNNP) into the area in 2015 proves how the conservancy is interconnected with the park. Therefore,a monitoring program designed to document information on population dynamics of the lions (Panthera leo),their movement,and level and pattern of livestock predation,is vital to manage and conserve the alpha predator in an environment characterized by the presence of livestock and humans. This will provide data and information to formulate prudent management and conservation guidelines for carnivores in the conservancy. The conservancy borders Lake Elementaita,a shallow alkaline lake (1,800 ha; maximum depth 1.9 m) lying on the Rift Valley floor. Lake Elmenteita is a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance) and one of Kenyaâ??s Important Bird Areas. It is partly monitored by Soysambu Conservancy and we are working closely with them. This is one of Kenyaâ??s Lake systems and one of the most important foraging sites for the Lesser and Greater Flamingo in the world. The lake is also home to Great White Pelicans and has become their main nesting ground. Currently,under national law,Lake Elmenteita is protected as a National Wildlife Sanctuary Lake. In 2011 the lake was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The natural vegetation is mainly Acacia and Tarconanthus camphoratus bushland interspersed with Themeda triandra grassland. Patches of Acacia xanthophloea woodland occur near the shore,and formerly covered a large area south of the lake. This partnership aims to secure and improve the dwindling biodiversity through sound wildlife management and conservation in Kenya. In Kenya,close to 70% of wildlife resources occur outside protected areas in private and communal land. Soysambu Conservancy is a classic example of how communities provide protection and refuge to wildlife. Community owned conservancies have few resources and lack the capacity to manage these resources sustainably,hence the need to collaborate with another organization with a similar agenda and objectives. This ensures successful and viable conservation of wildlife and their habitats through research and monitoring. These programs are crucial when there is involvement of endangered species and both fragile and sensitive ecosystems.