NEWS
What Kenya mu
roan antelope
Current Address: Senior Lecturer, Department
Reprinted From: http
Johnstone
Roan antelopes are Africa’s second
largest antelope species. Their
populations are stable and growing
in some African countries, but in others
– like Kenya – they’re threatened with
extinction. To address this, the Kenya
Wildlife Service is launching a recovery
plan. Johnstone Kimanzi sheds light on
why their numbers are declining and
what can be done to protect them.
Where can roan antelopes be found
in the world today and how many are
left?
The roan antelope, which is endemic
to Africa, used to be one of the most
common antelopes – found in almost all
African savannas. It is found in 30 countries,
mostly within western, central and
eastern Africa.
Today there are an estimated 60,000
roan antelopes remaining in Africa.
One-third of these are concentrated
in four countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon,
Zambia and Tanzania. About 60%
of them live in protected areas.
In general, the overall population trend
of roan antelopes across countries is
that they’re decreasing in number -
one-third of their population is stable or
increasing.
What’s caused a decline in their numbers?
In Kenya, there has been a huge decline
in the number of roan antelopes, from
202 in 1976 to 19 individuals in 2019.
Roan antelopes are now only found in
Ruma National Park, in western Kenya.
This is primarily the result of killing for
meat and traditional values – such as
horns for musical instruments and skin
for burial ceremonies.
Poaching is a major threat. In 2013 my
colleagues and I revealed that the decline
of roan antelopes between 1976
and 2008 was due to snares with an average
of 10 roans po
Ruma National Park
to poachers becaus
and footpath that
vantage points adjac
allow poachers to m
the activities of Ken
personnel. In addit
not enough patrollin
Poachers are able t
tages to lay their sn
should be noted how
translocation of bla
the park in 2012, se
been greatly increas
Alongside poaching
threats which limit th
growth.
Too many young r
being preyed upon
For example, in one
(1993-1995), six out
Ruma were predated
young roans are ke
herds for six weeks
mothers and are th
predators.
Frequent fire outbre
ple, diminish the roa
National Park and m
young, secluded roa
Roans have also lost
because of bush en
antelope are sensiti
vive well to any incr
of woody plants or
cover as has happe
tected areas.
In addition to this,
was put up around R
ing their habitat. The
which would be idea
Fencing leads to mo
tween grazers. It als
are exposed to mine
excesses in soil and
19