Conservationists at Marwell Zoo hope new GPS project will protect endangered zebras
They'll be using GPS collars to track 20 Grevy's Zebras as a new infrastructure project risks damaging their habitat in Northern Kenya
Conservationists at Marwell Zoo are launching a new project they hope will protect some of the world's most endangered zebras.
Marwell Wildlife, who own and operate the Hampshire zoo, will use GPS collars to track 20 Grevy's zebras in Northern Kenya over the next year.
The project, run in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Grevy's Zebra Trust, hopes to protect them from a major infrastructure project in the country.
The Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor, which includes an oil pipeline, motorway and railway, could risk splitting the Grevy's zebra population in Nirthern Kenya, according to Marwell Wildlife.
They say infrastructure projects like these are "one of the greatest emerging threats" to the species' future survival.
Those involved with the project say the GPS data would help make more informed planning and conservation management decisions.
Professor Philip Riordan, Marwell Wildlife's Director of Conservation, said the project would help protect the "last stronghold" for the Grevy's zebra.
"We’re working with our colleagues to ensure we have as much knowledge about Grevy’s zebra, particularly given the amount of infrastructure and development across the region that might affect the animals," he said.
"By collaring them, we hope to gain more insights that can inform not just our conservation work but the mitigations that we might advise being put in place to ensure this species has a future.”
Tanya Langenorst, a senior conservation biologist at Marwell Wildlife, added they also took blood samples and measurements of body temperature and parts to help increase their knowledge of the zebras.
"We’ll be able to identify which habitats are critical for Grevy’s zebra distribution, dispersal and movement, and why these areas are important," she said.
"Our findings will be reported to Kenya Wildlife Service and the LAPSSET planners, so that mitigating measures such as over and under-passes can be implemented where most suitable."