Adaptation of animals to the new environment

Since then, animals such as Rothschild’s giraffes, impalas, the Dofassa Waterbuck and the Bushback have been introduced to Mount Elgon National Park.

Visitors who last visited Mt.Elgon National Park three years ago would marvel at the many species of animals that exist today. A safari through the 196 square kilometer park located on the western border with Uganda in the Trans-Nzoia district revealed a rejuvenated park.

Until recently, people came to the park to see the cave elephants and nearly 340 species of birds. Other common animals in the area are leopard, giant warthog, bushbuck, buffalo, duicker, black and white Columbus monkeys, blue monkeys, and golden cat.

According to researchers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the population of the newly introduced species will increase, and research studies show that the animals have adapted to their new habitat. The latest tracking reports of larger mammals in the park show that the animals are reproducing.

In March 2007, 15 giraffes were relocated from the Nai farm in Nakuru. Twenty-two impalas were also transferred from the Kisumu Impala Sanctuary and Lake Nakuru National Park.

“The impalas have acclimatized, are healthy and have reproduced. However, their numbers need to be increased for the population to be ecologically viable,” says KWS.

According to the researchers, all introduced species spend feeding sessions in the morning and afternoon. Giraffes have established their niche and are good food thanks to the availability of vegetation. Zebras concentrate on roadsides where grazing is abundant. They also prefer open grasses and shrubs under growth.

Zebras’ mobile lips allow them to graze on both soft and hard grass, grazing in one area until it is depleted before moving on to the next. Lions, hyenas, wild dogs, and cheetahs are their main predators.

The number of visitors to Mount Elgon National Park has increased due to the new biodiversity.