Wildlife disappearing from famed Nairobi park: study
Friday, September, 7, 2007

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.