John Mwacharo, Nature Kenya and Liat Radcliffe Ross, TiME
In 2020, TiME members raised funds to protect land in a coastal region of Kenya that was the only nesting grounds of the rare and Endangered Clarke’s Weaver, an endemic bird species threatened by both habitat loss and climatic changes. (That year TiME also purchased land in Brazil, but that’s another story…) TiME’s local partner, Nature Kenya, told us recently how significant this land purchase has been for the bird’s survival — it quite literally has saved the species!
The land purchased by TiME is now part of Kibaoni Nature Reserve in the southeastern part of Dakatcha Woodland region. Recently, this reserve gained newfound significance as a stronghold for the Clarke’s Weaver because of the loss of its habitat in 2023 in the Kamale Nature Reserve, in the northern part of the Dakatcha Woodland. Prolonged drought and other unknown factors caused Kamale’s Brachystegia trees, which the Clarke’s Weaver relies on for foraging, to dry up. As the Brachystegia habitats in Kamale diminished, the survival of the Clarke’s Weaver was jeopardized. Nature Kenya “feared the worst,” as none were spotted on the Global Big Day of birding in May 2023.
Fortunately, the Kibaoni Nature Reserve, purchased by Nature Kenya with funding from TiME (This is My Earth), offered some timely relief. With its pristine Brachystegia forests, Kibaoni Nature Reserve offered an alternative refuge for the Clarke’s Weaver. Characterized by abundant trees and rich understory vegetation, Kibaoni’s forests provide ample food sources and shelter for the Endangered bird (and other endangered and endemic species), allowing them to thrive in their natural habitat. Several flocks of Clarke’s Weavers were spotted in the reserve last summer and, just this February, Nature Kenya reported that the Endangered bird was nesting as usual in the seasonal wetlands of Dakatcha Woodland.
The Kibaoni Nature Reserve offers a beacon of hope for conservation efforts. By preserving this vital ecosystem, Nature Kenya and TiME have demonstrated the power of proactive conservation measures in mitigating the impact of environmental challenges on endangered species. Moving forward, continued monitoring and management of the Kibaoni Nature Reserve will be essential to ensure the long-term survival of the Clarke’s Weaver and other threatened species within its borders. Collaborative efforts between local communities, conservation organizations, and government agencies will be instrumental in sustaining this invaluable sanctuary for generations to come.
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