Raptor Conservation
For over three decades, one of our major contributions has been to identify raptor species often overlooked by convention, further investigate aspects of their biology and ecology, and design practical solutions to contribute to their conservation.
Mitigating Raptor Electrocutions, the greatest raptor killer of all!
Kenya aims to increase power production to some 22,000 Mega Watts by the year 2031 with a future potential of over 70,000MW, with a parallel increase in powerline transmission cables, often traversing rural, protected and non-protected landscapes. Whether power is produced “Green” or not, the transmission of power can be deadly to wildlife if poorly designed. It can be totally safe if constructed with wildlife and birds in mind.
The Kenya Bird of Prey Trust has been pointing out the dangers of poorly constructed power deliver for decades, with particular emphasis on raptor populations. Today we believe that power-pole electrocutions are the greatest threat to certain perching raptors, and e have committed to continuing to advocate for safer construction across Kenya.
Responding to Raptor Poisoning Events
The Kenya Bird of Prey Trust has a long history in working with poisoned raptors. We have trained multiple partners on rapid response and rescue of mas poisoning events of poisoned vultures. We have developed a base on Olderikesi Conservancy in the Mara in partnership with the Cottars Wildlife and Conservation Trust, providing a rescue and recovery site for poisoned vultures and other raptors, as well as continued training and support of first responders in first aid care and vulture handing.
Left: poisoned vultures. Right: a rescued and rehabilitated vulture being released.
Protecting Raptor Habitats
A pair of eagles needs 300sq km home range in order to survive (equivalent area needed for 50 or so lion). Due to rapid human population growth and development we are seeing an alarming loss of raptor habitat. The Kenya Bird of Prey Trust aims to identify and protect critically important raptor habitats. We focus on cliff face habitats, that hold colonies of vultures and have physical aspects that host many cliff nesting raptor species; forest habitats that support nesting vultures or eagles, and savannah habitats that support large eagles and vultures.
Aerial pictures of nests. Left: Tawny Eagle.
Right: White-headed Vulture.
Left: Rock cliff at Kwenia, the largest vulture colony in the Rift Valley.
Right: nest of Rüppell's Vulture on the Kwenia rock face.