Kwenia (30038)
Kenya, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Kwenia
Central coordinates: Latitude: -1.7730, Longitude: 36.5250
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 1250
Area of KBA (km2): 30.78529
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Vulture populations have been declining globally. Three species of Gyps vultures breed in sub-Saharan Africa, and all have declining populations; regional declines have been reported in Western, Southern and Eastern Africa. Ruppell's Vulture and White-backed Vulture are listed as 'Near Threatened' and their numbers have declined by 52% in and around the Mara Serengeti ecosystem.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: A large breeding colony of Ruppell's Vulture has been monitored since 2002 to 2009. Around 150-200 adults have been present on each visit, with up to 64 simultaneous active nests. Ruppell's Vulture was formerly distributed throught Kenya, with breeding being restricted to a relatively small number of cliffs scattered in the southern and northern parts of the country. Considering the size of the Kwenia colony, the site may act as an important focal point for Ruppell's Vulture in Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania.
Other site values: Communal
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Most of Kajiado is semi-arid with poorly developed and shallow soils. The predominant land use in the area is pastrolism.
Land use: rangeland/pastureland (80%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 90 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The cause of decline is thought to be the indirect mortality through poisoning as has been documented on other vulture species. Reduced food availability and climate change are the other possible causes.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Munir et al, Bird Conservation International 2012. Seasonal variation in breeding Ruppell's Vulture Gpys rueppellii at Kwenia, southern Kenya and implications for conservation.