1.3 Results and Discussion
Based on transect line counts, the population of Greater Kudu from 2019 to 2022 is presented in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Greater Kudu numbers over the period 2019 to 2022 at LBNR, Kenya
The population increase of Greater Kudu is attributed to improved conservation campaigns and support by the conservation partners. There was a decrease in numbers in 2020. The decline was attributed to above normal rainfall received in the study area. This may have affected breeding cycle of the Kudus which usually begins at the end of a rainy season or survival rate of the juveniles affected, and/or triggered herbivore migration [17].
The spatial distributions of sighted Kudus for the 3 years are presented in maps (Figures 3, 4 and 5) showing age and sex structured Greater Kudu population for the three years.
According to [18], for the first two weeks after birth, Kudu calf hides where predators cannot find them. It was evident from this study that most of the calves stayed away from the rest of the group since they were still young to move around with the mother (Figures 3, 4 and 4). It was also shown that Kudus were generally concentrated around the Lake. This observation was consistent with the findings of Simpson (1972) that Kudus concentrated around water points during annual dry season [19]. Thus, the sustainability of the Lake is critical for the survival of the Greater Kudu. It is also an indication that there could be limited watering points in the landscape.
Figure 3: Greater Kudu population (2022) at the LBNR and its environs
Comparing the three years, most Kudus were counted in the dense vegetation located more than 5km away from the Lake in 2019 (Figure 5). These numbers appear to have decreased over the years such that by the year 2022 (Figure 3), most Kudus occupied areas not far from the lake. This implies that their terrestrial habitat could be facing disturbances from socio-economic activities as was also observed by Aduma et al. (2018) that human activities like agriculture and settlements interfere with migration or dispersal of wildlife [15].