DEPARTMENT OF SPECIES MANAGEMENT

Kenya Wildlife Service identified the need for national species conservation strategies to ensure special attention is focused on threatened species. The Species Management department is responsible for coordinating the formulation and implementation of species specific national conservation and management strategies. It works closely with members of other KWS Divisions, NGOs, Universities, local communities and other stakeholders.

To ensure proper coordination of these national conservation programmes the department carries out its duties through the following programmes:-

  1. Rhino Programme
  2. Elephant Programme
  3. Other Endangered Species 

The main Functions of the department are:

  1. Coordinate development and reviewing policy on endangered species conservation and management
  2. Coordinate development of national conservation and management strategies for threatened and nationally important species
  3. Identifying critical requirements of species that can be targeted for special conservation measures
  4. Coordinate development of  species recovery programs for highly endangered species
  5. Coordinate development of  conservation strategies for migratory and cross-border  populations
  6. Liaising with the IUCN species survival commission on species conservation
  7. Develop and maintain a database and depository  of information on threatened species
  8. Coordinate wildlife species conservation and management
  9. Coordinate implementation of the rhino,  elephant,  other endangered and nationally important species conservation programs
  10. Coordinate implementation  of national conservation and management of species specific conservation strategies
  11. Develop and maintain a database and information depository of threatened and nationally important species
  12.  Coordinate evaluation of  proposals  for  species introduction,  reintroduction and supplementation
  13. Coordinate programs for species introduction, reintroduction and supplementation

 

 

The following strategies have been formulated to aid in management and recovery of species populations:-

#

Name of the Strategy

 

Strategy Duration

Comments

1

Conservation and Management Strategy for the Black Rhino in Kenya

 2012-2016

The strategy is being implemented

2

Conservation and Management Strategy for the Elephant in Kenya

2012-2021

The strategy is being implemented

3

National Conservation and management Strategy for Cheetah and Wildogs in Kenya

2009-2014

The strategy is being implemented

4

National Conservation and management Strategy for Lion & Spotted Hyena in Kenya

2009-2014

The strategy is being implemented

5

Conservation and Management Strategy for Grevy's Zebra (Equus grevyi) in Kenya

2007 - 2011

The previous plan was  revised. It is awaiting publication

6

National strategy for conservation of sea turtles

2011-2015

In implementation phase

7

National strategy for conservation of sable antelopes (Hippotragus niger roosevelti) in Kenya

2013-2017

In implementation phase

8

National strategy for coral reefs

2014-2018

In print

9

National strategy for conservation of bongo

 

Draft in place

10

National strategy for conservation of giraffes

 

Draft awaiting publication

11

National strategy for conservation of roan antelopes

 

Draft awaiting publication

12

National strategy for conservation of sitatunga

-

Early stages of planning

13

National strategy for conservation of red colobus and tana crested mangabey

-

Early stages of planning

14

National strategy for conservation of hirola antelopes

-

Awaiting publication

15

National strategy for conservation of birds

-

Early stages of planning

 

To ensure successful implementation of these national conservation and management strategies, we call upon donor organizations and stakeholders to support implementation of activities under each strategy.