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Wildlife
Laikipia is at the
forefront of conservation in East Africa. Due to mounting game awareness
on many of the ranches, the population of large mammals is increasing as
a whole. The area supports a number of rare northern species such as the
endemic Jackson's hartebeest, Grevy's zebra (80% of the population is
found in Laikipia), and reticulated giraffe. Even the endangered wild dog,
thought to be extinct in Laikipia, have returned to the area in healthy numbers and are occasionally seen on Sosian.
Sosian is a member of the Laikipia Wildlife Forum, working
to protect Laikipia's wildlife through sustainable land use such as
tourism.
Sosian is encouraging the return of wild game to the area and has removed
most of its fences to allow wildlife to move freely through the ranch.
Grassy plains covering the central part of the ranch abound with herds of
zebra, gazelle, oryx, hartebeest and eland. Riverine vegetation along the
Ewaso Narok and the swamp on the southern boundary of the ranch offer
excellent birding.
More than 300 species of birds and 50 species of wildlife can be found on
Sosian.
Click here to view the Mammal list. (PDF file)
Click here to view the Bird list. (PDF file)
The average rainfall in the area is 22 inches or 560mm and the vegetation
comprises mixed bush and grassland. Dominant trees are Euclea,
Orange-leaved Croton, Boscia, Grewia (sp), Acacias - gerrardii, seyal,
senegal, mellifera and brevispica.
Yellow-barked acacias dominate along the
riparian lands.
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