Suyian Conservancy is part of the wider Ewaso Ecosystem (40,000 km2), which holds the highest diversity of large mammal species of any ecosystem of its size globally. The conservancy is home to over 100 mammal species, including several internationally and locally classified endangered species, such as Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, cheetah, and African wild dog. Elephants are also common and peacefully migrate along the banks of the Ewaso Narok River. Suyian has catalogued over 700 plant species and 325 avian species. These incredible flora and fauna are supported by five distinct habitat types: grass plains, acacia woodland, a phonolite escarpment, riverine areas, and a granitic inselberg complex. Suyian is truly an 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.
