A bird's eye view of wildlife - 3rd September 2021

Taking to the air, Kenya's first National Wildlife Census is carrying out its most detailed census yet. Previous data had been gathered by local advocacy groups or international conservationists in a scattershot approach. The hope is, this nationally coordinated census will result in more cohesion and provide a more comprehensive picture, surveying 50 national parks and reserves in Kenya, including private and community conservancies.

Decades of unbridled poaching, coupled with the expansion of populated areas and the climate crisis have taken a toll on wildlife globally, and central Kenya hasn't been spared.

Kenya Wildlife Service assistant director, Robert Obrein

Robert Obrein: "We have always concentrated doing our things {the census} on protected areas, but for the first time, we're even going beyond protected areas because the national government wants to know where the wildlife is."

The census is not merely counting wild animal numbers, flying overhead enables a more detailed study of their habits and movements, including locations for grazing and resting.

Spotting animals taking advantage of water holes, near human settlements, evidences the increasing problem of human intrusion onto land where wildlife had previously roamed undisturbed.

As humans attempt to fence out wildlife, both end up paying a deadly price, with 2014 to 2017 seeing approximately 500 people being mauled or crushed to death by wild animals.

Isiolo County Tourism and wildlife director, Julius Cheptai, explains.

Julius Cheptai: "We will also be able to address the issues to do with the human-wildlife conflict, in terms of population of those animals that are prone to human wildlife conflict."

Robert Obrein is fearful for what the future holds for Kenya's wildlife, as the inevitable conflict between human and animal comes to a head.

Robert Obrein: "That means we are encroaching on wildlife places. That means eventually another 10 years, we might not be having wildlife outside protected areas."

Robert Obrein: "I'm really afraid that in the near future, we might be fencing off protected areas to keep wildlife safe."

The greater awareness of wildlife, that this census promises, can bring about a long-term strategy to preserve a more harmonious symbiotic relationship, between wildlife and humankind.