Kenya has over 400 mammal wildlife species. Kenya is blessed to be home to unique wildlife that attracts tourists worldwide. In contrast, most wildlife in Kenya has a good life. Sadly, some animals are endangered and threatened. Poaching and the ever-increasing population have led to more species becoming endangered. Luckily, most of these endangered species in Kenya are in protected national parks, zoos, reserves, conservancies, and private protected areas, where Divulge Adventures explores. Here is a list of Kenyan most endangered species and where to find them.
The Roan Antelope
The roan antelope is one of Africa’s largest bovids, only exceeded in size by the African buffalo and eland. Roan Antelope has a grey or brown coat, a black-and-white clown-like facemask darker in males than females, and long, tasseled ears. Both sexes have backward-curving horns, although they are shorter in females. They live in groups of about twenty, and a male bull leads. The Roan is on the brink of getting extinct due to being eliminated from parts of its former range. Poaching has seen most of them killed and habitat lost from human activity. These beautiful antelopes are now at Ruma National Park in Kenya.
Sable Antelope
The sable is one of Africa’s most handsome antelope. Renowned for its combative nature, able even to face down lions. Adult males have striking glossy backs, white bellies, and badger-like white face stripes. Sable’s majestic profile is made prominent by a powerful neck and long, backward-arching horns. Moreover, females and young are slimmer and chestnut-brown, with shorter horns. This shy antelope is now critically endangered. Due to human encroachment, poaching and habitat loss have led to sable mass killing. Sable Antelope is at Shimba Hills National Park in Kenya.
Gravy Zebra
The gravy zebras are beautiful animals with thin black and white striped hide. Among the three zebra species (Common, Gravy, and Mountain), Gravy zebras are the most endangered and are slightly taller. They have thin stripes, a white belly, a brown muzzle, and large rounded ears. The beautiful hides attract poachers, and predation and overgrazing have endangered the animals. One can find Grevy zebras in Samburu National Reserve, Meru National Park, Marsabit National Reserve, and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Get to Visit Northern parts of Kenya.
Black Rhinoceros
Black rhinos are Kenya’s large mammals that are most endangered. Rhino’s prominent horns can grow up to five feet long and attracts poachers. The black rhino differs from the white rhino because they are browsers hence pointed upper lips. The white rhino has a square lip. Also, black rhinos’ calves follow their mother while the white rhinos’ calves trot along in front. The black rhino is Kenya’s most critically endangered large mammal. Therefore, a Rhino Ark has a rhino sanctuary. Places where you can book a safari with Divulge Adventures and get to see black rhinos in Kenya include;
- Nairobi National Park
- Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy
- Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Hirola Antelope
The Hirola antelope is the most endangered and rare. Hirola has had a decline of 95% in the last four decades. The Hirola Antelope’s population now stands at below 500 individuals. The Hirola has a short neck, long legs, elongated face, and a sandy-colored coat. Additionally, the beautiful antelopes live in the north-eastern part of Kenya in semi-arid areas. They can go for a long without water and store extra fat in their body. Hirola Antelope feeds at dawn and dusk to avoid unnecessary energy-sapping activities. The Hirola antelope is in Garissa and Lamu and the Kenya-Somali border. Book a safari to the North with Divulge Adventures for a spectacular experience.
Mountain Bongo
Mountain Bongo is the most unique, colorful, and spectacular antelope among its species. It has conspicuous white stripes along with its reddish-chestnut coat. Because of its beautiful skin and scarcity, the mountain bongo was a prized trophy by hunters. Due to poaching, the number of Mountain Bongo in zoos exceeds those in the wild. Visit Mount Kenya and spot these rare species.
Divulge Adventures can help plan an exciting and involving safari to these locations as you experience Magical Kenya and have panoramic views of these endangered species.