As poaching takes its toll on the population of Kenya’s Grevy’s zebras, a prolonged drought has now been added to the list of threats against this endangered species. Lenah Bosibori investigates Grevy’s zebras are among the most endangered species globally, due to their striking appearance. Photo: Lenah Bosibori In February, two Grevy’s zebras – one of Africa’s most endangered large mammals – were killed in Sarima, Nyiro Conservancy bordering Marsabit, and Lake Turkana, triggering panic among conservationists in northern Kenya. Joel Oronyo, who works with Grevy’s Zebra Trust Samburu North, recounts the ordeal: “We had reports that poaching had happened at Sarima in Nyiro Conservancy. We responded quickly, but when we reached there we found two zebras injured, one on the legs and another one in the stomach. We couldn’t do much as they were already badly injured,” said Oronyo. Oronyo immediately called his team from Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), who responded quickly to try and save the iconic zebras, which later succumbed to the injuries. Found almost exclusively in northern Kenya, the Grevy’s zebra remains endangered, according to Grevy’s Zebra Trust. This unique species of zebra is known for its striking, tall appearance, thin stripes and elegant gait. In the late 1970s, over 15,000 Grevy’s zebras roamed in the wild. Hunting and poaching drastically reduced the population over the years, and the 2016 Great Grevy’s census results indicated that Kenya was home to 2,350 Grevy’s zebras, 90% of the world’s population. According to conservation organisation Grevy’s Zebra Trust, recent estimates indicate that only 3,042 are alive, representing an 80% decline in their population globally. In Kenya, the 2018 estimate was 2,812 Grevy’s zebras (a small increase from 2016) and there are 230 in Ethiopia. In February, the rangers were not able to prosecute the poachers because the poachers were many and armed, compared to the number of rangers from KWS and Grevy’s Zebra Trust. “When we started searching for the poachers in the bushes, we found them feasting on the meat, meaning they had already killed some. Since we were few we went back and were keen to avoid conflicts,” said Oronyo. “It was not a good situation at that moment and it was so painful that animals are being killed in these remote areas whereby it is hard to access and monitor every wild animal during this drought moment since they are on the move looking for pasture and water.” Dida Fayo, the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) lead in Samburu North, displaying a photo of a Grevy’s zebra that was injured in Sarima Samburu North and later succumbed to its injuries. Photo: Lenah Bosibori Julius Leknit, the deputy director of programs at Grevy’s Zebra Trust, says the drought that started in 2021 has increased poverty, leading to more poaching. “The local community kills the Grevy’s zebras for survival especially during this drought period when everyone is looking for critical resources which are pasture and water,” says Leknit. Leknit says Grevy’s Zebra Trust has partnered with local communities in northern Kenya to conserve Grevy’s zebras in order to boost their numbers. Grevy’s Zebra Trust employs 29 Grevy’s Zebra Scouts from seven different communities to monitor the zebras and foster positive attitudes towards species. They also employ a team of 10 Grevy’s Zebra warriors from the local community who monitor approximately over 200 Grevy’s to raise awareness and provide protection to the species. Their outreach to communities has created a large network of local support to disseminate conservation messaging and promote conservation action. The issue of human-wildlife conflict has been rampant in northern Kenya, taking a toll on Grevy’s zebras, which are ranked among the most endangered species globally, according to Grevy’s Zebra Trust. Grevy’s zebra is one of Africa’s most endangered large mammals and is protected against illegal trade by the IUCN/SSC EquidSpecialist Group and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). They are also legally protected in Ethiopia and since 1977 have been protected by a hunting ban in Kenya. Justus Lesanjore, assistant conservancies’ coordinator in Samburu County, says the poaching incident in February happened due to the absence of a ranger whose only present colleague was overwhelmed by the unfolding crisis. “We had a small gap at Sarima; one ranger who was manning that specific area went missing; he left work with no reasons leaving the area unattended but we have recruited another one to fill the gap,” Lesanjore says. Mohamed Salat, a senior ranger with Kenya Wildlife Service South Horr Nyiro Ward, said the incident affected the rangers badly.