The recent prolonged drought may have slightly changed recent trends in wildlife populations judging by the just completed Ol Pejeta Conservancy annual wildlife aerial census, carried out at the onset of the rains in October

Taken from a low-flying aircraft moving at a constant speed and altitude, the annual census process aims at assessing wildlife population trends, as precise wildlife numbers are difficult to determine by any method. 

From this count it may be possible to surmise that Thompson’s gazelles are doing well but that common zebras are doing relatively poorly; however it is really too early to establish real trends across the Conservancy.

Furthermore aerial counts are not dependable for all species; in particular they are unable to establish realistic figures for predator populations or nocturnal species.  For example, while our predator-monitoring team has established lion numbers at around 50 in the Conservancy, the aerial count only spotted two.  We also know that the Conservancy holds close to 30 cheetah, a pack of wild-dog, upwards of 60 spotted hyena and numerous leopards.

Other figures resulting from the census included 226 elephants, 996 buffaloes, 178 giraffes, 2597 Burchell’s zebras, 220 hartebeests, 361 elands etc.

In general wildlife populations continue to prosper on the Conservancy.

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