1.3.1 Point Pattern Analysis
It was noted that for the year 2019, Greater Kudu dispersal map shows a
density of between 10 and 40 Kudus/km2 on the
rangelands around Maji Moto and Koitumet wards (Figure 6). The depressed
rainfall for all the seasons in 2019 contributed to this population
pattern. Being shy, the Kudus numbers ranging between 1 and 10
Kudus/km2 were sparsely spread on the western side of
the Lake in the agricultural lands of Molos and Kamar wards. This may
lead to Greater Kudu population instability and possibly local
extinction due to increase in human-wildlife conflicts. Greater Kudu
prefers to inhabit wood and thick bush land, mixed scrub woodland,
mopane bush on lowlands, hills and mountains and anywhere with a
constant supply of water (20, 21].
Figure 4: Greater Kudu population (2020) at the LBNR and
its environs
Figure 5: Greater Kudu population (2019) at the LBNR and
its environs
Figure 6: Greater Kudu population density (numbers/km2)
for Year 2019 at LBNR
Greater Kudu dispersal map for the year 2020 (Figure 7) shows a density
of between 10 and 40 Kudus/km2 in the leafy vegetation
located in Maji Ndege and Chibirebei wards. This could be due to above
normal rainfall for all the three seasons of the year (2020) in the
landscape; most Kudus met their water needs elsewhere other than the
Lake. The Kudus were densely populated in vegetated areas.
Socio-economic activities tend to reduce the Kudu population as was
evidenced by low numbers ranging between 1 and 10/km2on the western side of the Lake in the agricultural lands of Koitumet
and Kamar wards.
The dispersal map for year 2022 shows dense population of Kudus (ranging
between 40 and 50/km2) near the shores of the Lake
Bogoria in Koitumet sub-ward (Figure 8). More Kudus were also observed
in Chibirebei and Maji Ndege wards in the highly vegetated areas around
the Lake. Marginal numbers of Kudus ranging from 1 to
10/km2 were seen in Tinosiek Olkokwe and Kamar wards,
respectively which further affirms the importance of water
sources/watering on dispersal of Greater Kudus [13, 19].
Figure 7: Greater Kudu population density (numbers/km2)
for Year 2020 at LBNR
Figure 8: Greater Kudu population density (numbers/km2)
for Year 2022 at LBNR
It was evident that ecological needs of Greater Kudu affected their
dispersal for instance; water requirements as was indicated by high
concentration of Kudus around the Lake shores in the year 2019 when
rains were depressed; food as the case for high concentration of Kudus
in Chebirebei ward in 2020; breeding behavior as is shown by dispersal
of Kudu calves mostly being away from the mature herds; and their
seasonal movement patterns or home range. This agrees with what Bennett
(2003) indicated as factors to be considered when establishing and
managing wildlife corridors [22].