© Lynn Kimmel
The goal of our Research and Monitoring Program is to use data and information to inform decisions and solutions that support the conservation of Grevy’s zebra and their habitat by GZT, our partners and other stakeholders.
Community-Based Grevy’s Zebra Monitoring
Grevy’s zebra are in crisis and numbers have declined rapidly. In the late 1970s, the global population of Grevy’s zebra was estimated to be 15,000 animals; present-day estimates indicate only 3,042 animals remain, representing at minimum an 80% decline in global numbers. In Kenya the 2018 estimate was 2,812 Grevy’s zebra and 230 in Ethiopia.
Our data collection system is visual thus allowing for non-literate members of the community the chance to be employed through our programs. In 2009 we published a paper on our citizen science in Biological Conservation which showed that the Grevy’s Zebra Scout data provides valuable results for conservation planning.
The Research and Monitoring Program also actively supports data collected from camera traps during direct interventions for Grevy’s zebra survival including targeted water management and supplementary feeding during times of environmental stress.
Data on numbers and age structure is gathered from actual sightings and spoor, and is geo-referenced using GPS units. Habitat, season, water type, other wildlife, livestock and settlement are also recorded. The Grevy’s Zebra Scouts use a paper-based system, while the Grevy’s Zebra Ambassadors and Warriors use the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) and CyberTracker using their smart phones.
Grevy’s Zebra Census
The research and monitoring team also supports the planning, implementation and data analysis from the Great Grevy’s Rally to further understand Grevy’s zebra population dynamics.
We are improving our understanding of the drivers of population change through monitoring demographic parameters that include survival and mortality. We are also investigating the ecological and social factors affecting these variables to better target our conservation interventions.
Applying Results
Each year we hold Grevy’s Zebra Scout, Ambassador and Warrior workshops to review the results of the data collected to date. The teams make recommendations for Grevy’s zebra conservation based on these results as well as their local knowledge. Our local field partners affiliated with the programs also actively participate in drawing up management recommendations.
Dissemination of the results from these workshops back to the communities where our team members are based provides an open forum for discussion of management solutions and sustains a high level of awareness.
We also support the Biodiversity and Infrastructure Program (a joint collaboration with Ewaso Lions) to present evidence-based recommendations to infrastructure developers which supports the harmonisation of infrastructure with ecosystems in northern Kenya.
