SPATIO-TEMPORAL CHANGE OF DISPERSAL AREAS OF GREATER KUDU (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) IN LAKE BOGORIA LANDSCAPE, KENYA

Wildlife populations decline of 69% between 1977 and 2016 have been reported in Kenya’s rangelands. Baringo County experienced over 85% wildlife loss in the last four decades, and thus a major concern for wildlife conservation, food security and environmental sustainability. Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is endemic to Lake Bogoria landscape in Baringo County and constitutes a major tourist attraction for the region. In an area with limited dispersal opportunities, the range for this species is crucial for its survival. To a large extent, extinction of wild animal species has been attributed to habitat degradation that directly affects dispersal areas. This study was carried out to assess spatio-temporal change of dispersal areas of Greater Kudu (GK) in Lake Bogoria landscape in the last four years for enhanced conservation and improved livelihoods. GK population distribution primary data collected in December 2022 and secondary data acquired from LBNR for 2019 and 2020 were digitized using ArcGIS. Measures of dispersion and point pattern analysis (PPA) were used to analyze dispersal of GK population using a Geographic Information System (GIS). It was evident that GK dispersal in LBNR has been changing thus the null hypothesis that spatio-temporal distribution of dispersal areas of the GK in Lake Bogoria landscape did not change in the last four years was rejected. It was recommended that anthropogenic activities contributing to GK habitat degradation be curbed by providing alternative livelihood sources and enhancement of adoption of sustainable technologies including use of solar energy and climate-smart agriculture by local communities.