They have experienced a consistent decline since the 1970s from approximately 15,000 individuals to less than 500 individuals currently. As well as hosting a thriving population of the most endangered antelope in the world, the Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy is also home to a variety of other species including reticulated giraffe, warthog, lesser kudu, gerenuk, ostrich and even a unique herd of largely maneless plains zebra. NRT, in a statementt issued on Thursday, described the collaring as a huge milestone for the community-run project that seeks to conserve the world’s most endangered antelope. The bespectacled antelope is native to the arid Woodlands and Savannahs of the Kenya/Somali border, and now found only in isolated pockets of Kenya. Did you know that the Ishaqbini Hirola Sanctuary, located in Ijara sub-county, Garissa county, is home to both the critically endangered Hirola Antelope … The Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) is a community-led initiative, registered in 2004, whose members represent politically and socially marginalized pastoralist communities of Northern Kenya, who are predominantly dependent on … We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. It is critically endangered and has been listed among 10-top focal species at risk of imminent extinction (IUCN, 2008, Isaac et al. The community-run Sanctuary - which was established in 2012 to conserve what is widely thought to be the world’s most endangered antelope - has been so successful in growing the hirola population that it has almost reached full capacity. They were discovered by the big game hunter and zoologist H.C.V. The hirola (Beatragus hunteri), Hunter's hartebeest or Hunter's antelope, is a critically endangered antelope species found on the border between Kenya and Somalia. It is also, quite possibly, the only one to have flown by helicopter. 2007). As well as hosting a thriving population of the most endangered antelope in the world, the Ishaqbini Hirola Sanctuary is also home to a variety of other species including giraffe, warthog, kudu, gerenuk, ostrich and even a unique group of maneless plains zebra. Northern Rangelands Trust's Dr. Steve Chege is assisted by Ishaqbini's Hussein Ahmed to collar a Hirola. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Despite being one of the rarest antelopes, conservation measures for the hirola antelope have so far been marginal. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Hirola Antelope (Beatragus hunteri) Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 0925392. It is a medium-sized antelope with a light-brown coat with lighter under parts and tail. The reason for the massive decline in population is a combination of habit loss, poaching and even natural drought. We will continue to work with the local communities and other partners to ensure a sustained hirola growth through the sanctuary expansion,” said Geoffrey Bundotich, KWS Senior Scientist, Eastern Conservation Area. They are tan to rufous-tawny in color with slightly lighter underparts, predominantly white inner ears, and a white tail. Oct 31, 2014 - Explore Sophia's board "Hirola" on Pinterest. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Ishaqbini Hirola Sanctuary: Webcam Feed. They are the sole member of their genus, Beatragus, they come from the larger family of Bovidae; which include sheep, buffalo, cows and antelopes. The likely extinction of the world’s most[…] In 2019, 63,000 heads of livestock were vaccinated. They have white markings like spectacles around their eyes. The Hirola is one of the most critically endangered antelope species found only in Kenya and Somali. “We are happy to have approved the creation of Ishaqbini hirola sanctuary as part of implementation of National Hirola Recovery and Action Plan and the current population growth is laudable. This su… The tall distinctive Hirola (Beatragus hunteri) is the world’s most endangered antelope and is the only existing member of its genus. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Hirola are critically endangered and their numbers continue to decline in the wild. NYAMIRA, Kenya Dec 8 – Chief Justice David Kenani Maraga will officially retire on Friday.Maraga said he is happy with his tenure having taken... London, United Kingdom, Dec 8 – Brexiteers have long argued that leaving the European Union, with or without a trade deal, would herald Britain’s... NAIROBI, Kenya Dec 8 – Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed will visit Kenya on Wednesday for a two-day State visit. Today, fewer than 500 hirola remain on Earth. Ishaqbini-Hirola Community Conservancy- home to the critically endangered Hirola antelope, with support from Northern Rangelands Trust, Garissa County Governmen... t (Veterinary department) and San Diego Zoo have embarked on this year’s livestock vaccination campaign targeting over 50,000 heads of cattle, goats … Males and females both have horns. “In the 70s there was an estimated 15,000 Hirola however, a rinderpest outbreak resulted in mass deaths of domestic and wildlife and in turn the loss of over 80 per cent of the hirola population.”. The Hirola species of antelope is currently classed as critically endangered and has seen a gigantic drop in population over the last 30 years declining from around 14,000 to current figures of just over 600. The collaring exercise will help us monitor real time the ranging pattern of the hirolas once released in the expanded sanctuary. A collared hirola antelope at the Ishaqbini Hirola Sanctuary. The Hirola is a slender antelope with a body length between 1.2 and 2 m (3.9 - 6.6 ft), a tail length between 10 and 60 cms (3.9 - 23.6 inches) and they weigh between 80 and 118 kgs (176 - 260 lbs). 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It is the only memberof the genus Beatragus. [email protected], Abdullahi Hussein Ali wIns Sh5.3 million award for concerted efforts to save hirola, Five critically endangered hirola antelopes collared, Four-day exercise meant to allow authorities to monitor movement of the species in the wider sanctuary. Perhaps the world’s rarest and most endangered antelope, the hirola is the sole survivor of a formerly diverse group, and is often referred to as a living fossil. It is also home to the critically endangered Hirola antelope with a wild population of 450. These antelopes have very sharp horns which are ridged along three-quarters of their length. The Hirola is one of the most critically endangered antelope species found only in Kenya and Somali. According a document produced … We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. There are no hirolas … The collaring of the endangered antelope spicies followed a four-day campaign at the community-run conservancy whose hirola population has increased by 160 per cent since its establishment in 2012. Advertisement. With a founder population of 48 hirola, by December 2019 the population of hirola in the Sanctuary reached approximately 118-130 animals: a 13 per cent average annual population growth rate.