Suyian Conservancy forms part of the wider Ewaso Ecosystem (40,000 km²), which is renowned for its incredible diversity of wildlife. Over 100 different mammal species have been recorded at Suyian, with more than 50 regularly seen throughout the year – including several endangered species like Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, cheetah, and African wild dog. Elephants are a common sight, peacefully migrating along the Ewaso Narok River. The conservancy also supports more than 700 plant species and 325 bird species, thriving across five unique habitats: grass plains, acacia woodland, phonolite escarpment, riverine areas, and granitic inselbergs. Suyian is truly a showcase of African wilderness.
Rangers and wildlife monitoring:
A dedicated team of 40 rangers, including National Police Reservists equipped with government-issued firearms, tirelessly work day and night to protect the conservancy’s precious wildlife. The team is divided into six different patrol bases spread across the conservancy and utilises EarthRanger (ER) software to record their patrols and monitor wildlife populations. ER is highly effective for tracking wildlife populations, enabling rangers to record wildlife sightings, human-wildlife conflict incidents, invasive species occurrences, and much more. The data collected is transmitted in real-time to the ER platform, which compiles reports, informs management, and provides valuable insights into wildlife populations, movements, habitat health, and potential threats.
Regular aerial census:
Estimating wildlife abundance is critical to conservation management decisions and is an essential part of most wildlife research programmes. Since the late 1960s, aerial surveys have been recognised as the most cost-effective technique for counting and monitoring wildlife numbers across extensive savannas and scrub woodlands. In partnership with Loisaba Conservancy and Mugie Conservancy, Suyian conducts annual aerial surveys.
Removal of invasive species:
Invasive plants are rapidly altering rangelands in Kenya, particularly by the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia engelmannii), which is listed as one of the world’s worst invasive alien species, overtaking thousands of acres of land in Laikipia. In 2014, Anne Powys and her team initiated an invasive species removal programme, focusing on Opuntia engelmannii and Opunita stricita, which are both found in Suyian. As a result of this early effort, the conservancy is in excellent shape. The conservancy continues to employ a permanent team of six members, forming the Opuntia removal team, which systematically works across the conservancy to address the issue.
