Home of world greatest bird spectacle receives international distinction

By Ally Jamah

Lake Nakuru National Park, one of the leading tourist attractions has become the first park in Africa to be designated an important bird area.

"The new status is a huge boost to the park’s marketing efforts as the world’s greatest ornithological spectacle," says Kenya Wildlife Service Director Julius Kipng’etich.

World famous for its 1.5m stunning flocks of lesser flamingo, which literally turn its shores pink, the park is home to more than 450 birds.

Among the species are endangered Madagascar Pond-heron, near threatened grey-crested Helmet-shrike and Martial eagle. The site is also key for congregatory water birds such as the Greater Flamingo, African Spoonbill, Great White Pelican and Grey-headed Gull.

Important bird areas are key sites for conservation. They do one or more of three things: Hold significant numbers of one or more globally threatened species, are one of a set of sites that together hold a suite of restricted-range or biome-restricted species, or have exceptionally large numbers of migratory and congregatory species.

The global project, which identifies and conserves areas vital to the survival birds and other biodiversity, works with government agencies, community groups and other organisations.

Forestry and Wildlife Minister Noah Wekesa, says the new status would raise awareness and reduce stress on the lake’s bird.

The recognition is a triumph for BirdLife Partner NatureKenya, which began identifying important bird areas in Kenya 14 years ago.

Roll back

Kipng’etich says the award would roll back negative publicity that the lake, the mainstay of the park is dying out.

Four years ago, the park was branded as a bird watcher’s paradise by KWS under a national programme to transform national parks and reserves to world-class destinations and conservation areas.

The minister also launched the fourth edition of the Checklist of the Birds of Kenya, which lists 1,100 species, and is available from NatureKenya.

The park is among 7,500 sites identified as important bird areas in nearly 170 countries. It was the first park to have birds as its primary attraction.

The branding event coincided with the annual Rhino sporting-cum-fundraising event for conserving the lake. Sponsors and cyclists raised Sh7.25 million, most of which will be used to build a perimeter baboon-proof electric fence to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.

Flamingoes, other birds and large mammals at the park are suffering the short-term effects of severe drought.

Longer-term problems include extensive clearance of the Mau Forest by settlers, loggers and charcoal makers, which has reduced the forest’s capacity to hold and release water during the rainy season.

Much of lake’s water is come from four rivers, which originate in the Mau Forest.