By Andrew Wasike
LAIKIPIA, Kenya (AA) - At just 30, Eunice Peneti has been a wildlife ranger for more than a decade, keeping a watchful eye on animals out on the vast plains of northern Kenya.
That gave her a firsthand look at the alarming decline of the Grevy’s zebra, a unique and rare species that has lost massive numbers over past decades and is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Grevy’s zebras, distinguished by their narrower stripes and larger ears, are the largest of all zebra species, and once roamed widely across the Horn of Africa region.
There were around 15,000 of the animals in the late 1970s, according to Grevy’s Zebra Trust, a group focused specifically on the conservation of the species.
The estimates today are about 3,000, a fall of at least 80%, with about 2,800 in Kenya and just over 200 in Ethiopia.
“There used to be herds thundering across the plains. Now, the sightings are far rarer,” Peneti told Anadolu.
Among a multitude of factors behind the decline, habit loss is at the very top, according to the ranger, with human settlements and agricultural encroachment eating away the zebras’ grazing grounds.
“Zebras need large grasslands for grazing. As these habitats diminish, it's harder for them to find enough food,” said Peneti.
Another critical threat has been poaching, with the animals being “easy targets,” she said.
“During the pandemic, many were hunted for food. That’s why combatting poaching is a key objective for us today,” she added.
Yussuf Wato, an official at WWF-Kenya, emphasized that Grevy’s zebras are a “keystone species” and their declining number “disrupts the entire ecosystem.”
“Overexploitation is a major threat to the long-term survival of this species, together with habitat degradation and loss,” said Wato, who is the manager of WWF-Kenya’s Biodiversity, Research and Innovation Program.
The destruction of their natural habitat forces the zebras to compete for dwindling resources, making them more vulnerable to predators, starvation and disease, he explained.
- Local communities key to conservation
Tom Lalampaa, a renowned African wildlife expert and CEO of the Northern Rangelands Trust, stressed the importance of involving local communities in conservation efforts.
“The illegal trade in wildlife products is decimating Grevy’s zebra populations. Without stricter enforcement and community engagement, we risk losing this species entirely,” he told Anadolu.
Community-based conservation is the best way to protect the remaining herds in northern Kenya, he added.
“It is only the communities in the local ecosystems that understand the area,” said Lalampaa.
“They have to be a part of these efforts. It is crucial for their long-term success.”
This route has been taken by various groups involved in conservation efforts, with WWF-Kenya, for instance, working with local communities to promote sustainable land use practices that give the zebras access to vital resources.
The Grevy’s Zebra Trust, on the other hand, employs local community members as ambassadors, tasked with monitoring the animals’ movement and protecting them from poachers.
These ambassadors also play a crucial role in gathering data and educating the public on conservation efforts and techniques.
Peneti also supports the involvement of local communities, stressing that she has “seen positive changes through community-based conservation.”
“By involving local communities, we not only protect the zebras but also support the livelihoods of those who depend on the land. So, it’s a win-win for all.”