Post by Bozur on Apr 23, 2009 12:13:22 GMT -5
Maasai Mara Mammals in Decline
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A giraffe beneath an acacia tree in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Scientists at the Nairobi-based International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) have found that the numbers of giraffes, hartebeest, impala, warthogs, topis and waterbuck all fell “markedly and persistently” throughout the 580 square mile reserve between 1989 and 2003. They believe increased human settlement around the unfenced park is to blame
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The scientists' sample counts were backed by government population estimates that showed actual losses as high as 95% for giraffes
Photograph: Rex Features/Rex Features
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The Mara reserve sits at the top of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, which hosts the spectacular annual migration of up to 2m wildebeest and other animals
Photograph: Arthur Morris/Corbis
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A topi with grass and mud on its horns. Topi have suffered a 79% decline in population in the Masai Mara reserve based on aerial counts between 1979 and 2002
Photograph: Arthur Morris/Corbis
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The main reason for the population decrease is the rapid expansion of human settlements on the land adjacent to the reserve, scientists say. The area was traditionally used by wild animals for seasonal grazing but is increasingly being turned over to livestock and crop production
Photograph: EyesWideOpen/Getty Images
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Government population estimates showed losses as high as 80% for warthogs in the period dating back to 1979
Photograph: Gabriela Staebler/Corbis
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A lioness hunting warthog in the Masai Mara
Photograph: Peter Blackwell/NPL/Rex Features
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An impala with an oxpecker perched on its head. Impala also suffered sharp declines over the 15-year period studied. They were 57% from their 1979 population estimates
Photograph: Anup Shah/Getty Images
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A cheetah chases a female impala
Photograph: Federico Veronesi/Getty Images
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The Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Photograph: Robert Harding/Rex Features
www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2009/apr/21/maasai-mara-wildlife-conservation?picture=346255072