Samburu has been hit yet again by another prolonged dry period. The area was devastated in 2009 with a very severe drought which killed many animals; both livestock and wildlife. People really struggled for water and it was a tough year. Finally early 2010, it rained and floods washed through the area. The area began to dry up quickly from July onwards. In November 2010, we received a little rain but it was very localised and some areas such as Westgate Community Conservancy did not receive any rain at all. We were hopeful in February as it looked like it was going to rain, and fortunately we received 15 mm in one morning. It is amazing to see that with a little bit of rain, the grass begins to grow immediately and it actually looked green for a short period! However this was not enough and although the river flowed for a few days, it is dry once again.
Lentiyo from the Warrior Watch programme in the dry Ewaso Nyiro River.
People and their livestock have all migrated to the North in search of pasture. Westgate is quiet at the moment. In the reserves and in the Core Conservation Area in Westgate, wildlife have all converged in the riverbed and are not moving far away at all. It is an easy time for the predators who all lie in the riverine bushes and ambush their prey.
Elephants dig into the riverbed for water and a pair of Somali ostrich drink from the same elephant waterholes.
This impala is feeding on one of the few remaining green patches in Samburu National Reserve.
Lioness walks in the dry river searching for water in March.
As it gets drier, animals are struggling for enough food and water. In the community areas, spotted hyenas are causing problems as they enter villages at night and end up taking livestock skins that are in the houses. With most of the livestock and people gone, they are wandering far into the night raiding villages. This has led to increased conflict and unfortunately we did lose one spotted hyena recently.
Spotted hyena killed with a club in the Ewaso Nyiro River.
Due to the prolonged drought in the region and the potential increase in conflict between livestock and predators, we are currently focusing a lot of our efforts in Westgate Conservancy. We have started digging waterholes in 4 locations in the dry river-bed on a daily basis, communicating with livestock herders about predator locations as they approach the Conservation Area and having the warriors and scouts keep track of the known predators on a daily basis. We need funds during this critical dry period to continue with our efforts of helping the communities, providing water, mitigating conflict and tracking the predators. Please consider making a donation now so we can continue with our efforts.