What rare animals are found in Kenya?
Below is a list of the rare animals found in Kenya. Only the Democratic Republic of the Congo has more mammal species than Kenya, which ranks tenth globally and second in Africa with over 400 species. Given their sheer abundance, some of these mammal species are undoubtedly endemic. A species is said to be endemic if its habitat is restricted to a certain area of land, such as a nation, an island, or a designated research zone.
The difference between endemism and indigenous or native species is that the latter can be found elsewhere. Owing to changes in their limited habitats, especially owing to hunting and habitat loss, endemic species have a high danger of going extinct. Kenya must protect and sustain its unique biodiversity, which is the main draw for tourists and one of the country’s key sources of foreign cash.
Mountain Bongo
Mountain Bongo is among the rare animals found in kenya. In the past, it could be found in great numbers in the forested regions of Mount Kenya, the Aberdares, Mau, Cherengani Hills, and Mount Elgon. Their population has drastically decreased over the past 40 years, and they are currently only found in small communities in isolated forest sections on Mount Kenya and the Aberdares. The IUCN Red List identifies Mountain Bongos as Critically Endangered (CR) species. A number of reasons, primarily habitat degradation, hunting, and diseases spread by livestock, have contributed to the decline. The Mountain Bongo was long regarded as a coveted trophy by hunters due to its beauty and relative scarcity. They are significantly more numerous in zoos than they are in the wild.
The distinctive reddish-chestnut coat with black markings, glaring white stripes, and long corkscrew horns of bongos make them among the most distinctive, colourful, and magnificent antelopes in the world. Their natural habitat is in the central and western African tropical rainforests. The central Kenyan mountain woods are home to a small, isolated population of the severely endangered mountain bongo subspecies. The coloration of the mountain bongos is a little more bright, and they are bigger than their Western counterparts.
Several protection techniques for the species have been developed by Kenya wildlife services in collaboration with environmental organisations, including frequent security and surveillance patrols for the surviving wild mountain bongos. The Bongo Repatriation Programme, a joint initiative, is being used to re-establish a healthy wild population in Mt. Kenya and the Aberdares. A robust captive population of 526 individuals (as of December 2003) thrives in many places across the world. Because of their small, dispersed, and endangered population, mountain Bongos’ status in the wild is still unknown.
Grevy zebras
Beautiful creatures with delicately striped black and white hides are gravy zebras. The Gravy zebra is as well amongst the rare animals found in kenya and its the most endangered of the three zebra species (Common, Gravy, and Mountain), and the tallest. They feature broad, rounded ears, a dark muzzle, and thin stripes on their body. Predation and overgrazing have put the animals in danger, and the attractive hides draw thieves. Samburu National Reserve, Meru National Park, Marsabit National Reserve, and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy are all places where one can locate Grevy zebras.
Black rhinos
The black rhinos are among the rare animals found in kenya and its the most threatened big mammal in Kenya. The large, protruding horns of rhinos, which may reach a length of five feet, draw poachers. Because they are browsers, black rhinos vary from white rhinos in that they have pointed upper lips. The lip of the white rhino is square. Apart from that, and white rhino calves trot ahead, black rhino calves follow their mother. The most seriously endangered big mammal in Kenya is the black rhino. Consequently, a Rhino Ark has a sanctuary for rhinos. You may arrange a safari with Kenya safari tours and visit Nairobi National Park, Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy, and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to observe black rhinos in Kenya.
Roan Antelope
Only the African buffalo and eland are larger than the roan antelope, one of Africa’s largest bovids. The Roan Antelope has a grey or brown coat, long, tasseled ears, and a clown-like black-and-white facemask that is darker on the males than the females. The horns of both sexes curve backward, however the females’ are shorter. A male bull leads the groups of around twenty antelopes that they dwell in. Due to the Roan’s elimination from some of its former habitat, it is almost certain to go extinct. Due to poaching, their habitat has been destroyed and the majority of them have been killed. At the moment, Ruma National Park in Kenya is home to these stunning antelopes.
Tana River Mangabey
The medium-sized Tana River Mangabey is distinguished by a long tail and a yellowish-brown coat. Its white eyelids contrast conspicuously with its jet-black face, and its crown has a prominent crest. The species is limited to a mosaic of fragmented riverine forests along the lower Tana River in the coast region of Kenya and is critically threatened. The river’s meandering path and varying water levels have caused these woodlands’ natural fragmentation.
For their survival, mangabeys are very reliant on the forest. Their food consists largely of plants from the forest’s canopy or sub canopy. Over time, the forest has been deteriorated by unsustainable clearing of forests (an estimated 50% of the initial jungle has been lost in the last 20 years) and resource extraction (trees have been felled for canoe construction, wild honey has been collected, and palm fronds have been used for thatching and mats). As a result, the species have been declining quickly.
One of the top 25 most endangered primate species worldwide is the Tana River mangabey. There are currently between 1000 and 1200 individuals thought to be living in the wild. An efficient conservation strategy is urgently required since habitat destruction is the primary factor contributing to the Tana River Mangabey decrease. Previous conservation attempts were unsuccessful. If there is any possibility of preserving the habitat of this critically endangered monkey and preventing its otherwise impending extinction, the issue of forest clearing must be addressed, and the collection of forest products must be better regulated.
Hirola
The Hirola is an endangered antelope and among the rare animals that are native to northeast Kenya and southwest Somalia. It is thought that there are no more Somalians. The male Hirola turns a shade of grey as he ages, yet they are thin animals with sandy-coloured coats. They have a short neck, lengthy legs, and an extended face. The Hirola has a chevron-shaped white line across their forehead that runs from one eye to the other, giving them a spectacled look.
The hot, arid plains habitat of the Hirolas is characterized by short grass and dry acacia bushes. They chew the rough grass with their huge molars. The Hirola can tolerate dry spells for extended periods of time by storing extra fat in its body. Hirolas typically feed during dawn and evening, sparing them from needless energy-draining activities.
In addition to being outside of any recognized or gazette national parks, their range, a constrained area of around 7,600 square kilometer’s along the border between Kenya and Somalia, makes them more vulnerable, particularly to hunting and habitat encroachment. The species, which was once widespread in East Africa, has had a tragic decrease in the past 30 years, with populations falling from about 14,000 in the 1970s to an estimated less than 500 now.
