- The findings are sobering as the research indicates reveals that since the late 1970s, Kenya’s rangeland wildlife populations have declined by as much as 68%. Key species such as warthogs, lesser kudu, Grevy’s zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle have experienced reductions of over 70%, with some nearing 90%.
Kenya’s wildlife faces a critical crisis as populations in once-abundant rangelands decline sharply. Yet, amidst these growing challenges, hope emerges through science-driven insights guiding conservation efforts.
On June 18, 2025, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), alongside conservation partners including the Directorate of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing (DRSRS), the Wildlife Research & Training Institute (WRTI), and the World-Wide Fund for Nature - Kenya (WWF), gathered to unveil landmark research findings on the state of wildlife and livestock populations in the region.
Led by Prof. Joseph Ogutu of DRSRS, this comprehensive study utilizes data dating back to 1885, providing an unprecedented look at how landscapes are changing.
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The findings are sobering: since the late 1970s, Kenya’s rangeland wildlife populations have plummeted by as much as 68%. Key species such as warthogs, lesser kudu, Grevy’s zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle have seen reductions exceeding 70%, with some populations nearing 90%.
These declines coincide with a dramatic increase in livestock numbers, particularly sheep and goats, which now dominate these landscapes. By 2013, livestock biomass was eight times greater than wildlife biomass in many rangeland areas, up from just 3.5 times in the 1970s.
This shift presents serious challenges for ecosystems already stressed by climate change and human population growth, as wild animals lose access to the land, water, and space they once roamed freely.
Importantly, the study also examined public perception of these changes. Many Kenyans believe wildlife numbers are stable or even increasing in some areas, but the data reveals a starkly different reality. Understanding this discrepancy is crucial; to effectively address the crisis, all stakeholders must operate from the same facts.
What drives these declines? The research identifies several underlying causes, including rapid human population growth, the expansion of livestock populations—which intensifies grazing competition—and changing climatic conditions, particularly declining rainfall and rising temperatures. It also highlights policy and institutional failures, such as inadequate support for community conservation and weak enforcement of land-use regulations.
Stakeholders praised Prof. Ogutu for the study’s depth and rigor, recognizing its potential to inform evidence-based planning and targeted interventions that can strengthen wildlife conservation and rangeland management throughout the country. Given the significant wildlife declines, the study emphasizes the urgent need for decisive action to tackle the root causes and implement laws that incentivize conservation.
Strengthening community-based wildlife conservancies, which have successfully preserved biodiversity while providing financial benefits to local populations, is one promising solution.
Additionally, the study advocates for improved land-use planning, policy reforms, and aligning conservation objectives with the realities faced by pastoralists and communities.
KWS reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate closely with research institutions and conservation partners to ensure that policies and practices are grounded in credible science and aligned with Kenya’s broader environmental sustainability goals.
Science-led approaches are essential to conserving and revitalizing Kenya's rich wildlife heritage as the pressures of resource competition, land-use conflict, and climate change intensify.
Protecting Kenya's wildlife is now ecologically, socially, and economically imperative. This study serves as a roadmap for restoring balance, enhancing human-wildlife coexistence, and fostering resilience for future generations.
