October 20, 2009 In part one we explored the humanitarian impact
of the drought, now we look at how the drought—and other
crises—are affecting Kenya's wildlife. As reported in our first
article on the topic, the drought striking East Africa has left
millions hungry, littered landscape with dead and dying
livestock, evaporated lakes and streams, and pressed farmers
from fields into slums. However, the disaster has also blasted
the usually drought-prone wildlife of East Africa. Elephants,
hippos, antelopes, buffalo, rhinos, even flamingoes have all
been impacted. But while devastating, it turns out the drought
is only the latest in a long list of troubles for Kenya's
wildlife. Steady decline for decades Before the drought Kenya's
wildlife, which brings in 70 percent of the nation's important
tourism trade, was already in trouble. Top: vultures may have
plenty to eat during droughts, but their numbers have been
severely depleted by poisoning from the agricultural pesticide
Furadan. Bottom: emaciated zebras and e