Wildlife disappearing from famed Nairobi park: study

September 10, 2007

*Fri Sep 7, 3:44 PM ET*

NAIROBI (AFP) - Wild animals are vanishing Kenya's oldest game reserve which

borders the airport at Nairobi, the Kenya Wildlife Service warned in a

report unveiled on Friday.

In a survey carried out in June, the state-run KWS also witnessed habitat

destruction in and around the 117-square-kilometre (45-square-mile) Nairobi

National Park.

" This ... confirms the worst fear among the conservationists that wildlife

is disappearing in (the) Nairobi ecosystem and recommends far reaching

measures to save the remaining populations, " the report said.

The study also paints paints a bleak picture of the future of the park that

was once reputed for its annual wildebeest and zebra migration in

July/August.

" In Nairobi Park, (the) zebra population has moderately declined over the

years while wildebeests have almost been wiped out ... It is now a matter of

time and the remaining few individuals are eliminated and become locally

extinct, if no appropriate action is taken to rectify the situation. "

Other animals under threat include Thompson gazelles, Grant gazelles,

impalas, hartebeests, ostriches, warthogs and waterbucks.

The study came three days after researchers warned that 'dysfunctional'

African parks are losing species due to poor conservation and pressure on

resources.

Human activities -- spurred by rapid population growth and the quest for

higher standards of living -- had undermined conservation efforts, according

to wildlife activists.

" The main reason for the decline in numbers is the explosion of Human

population, encroachment into wildlife conservation areas and poaching, " KWS

spokesman Gichuki Kabukuru told AFP.

" But we are doing everything we can to ensure that we save the animals, " he

added.

Last year, a study warned that country's famed lion prides could be driven

to extinction because ritual killings by tribal warriors are decimating

their ranks in and around the country's protected game reserves.

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