New wildlife census shows elephant boom, sharp decline in rare species

A new national wildlife census conducted between June 2024 and August 2025 paints a mixed picture of conservation success and emerging threats.

However, not all species are thriving. The hirola, Africa’s rarest antelope, has fallen sharply to only 245 individuals.

“Some animals have increased, others have reduced," said Wildlife Research and Training Institute CEO Dr Patrick Omondi.

One of the biggest wins is the elephant population, whose numbers have climbed to 41,952 in the wild, an increase from 36,280 in 2021, signalling major progress in anti-poaching and habitat protection.

Giraffe populations are also soaring, with a population of 43,002, up from 35,355. Rhinos have registered growth to 2,102, up from 1,812 in 2021, showing a slow but steady recovery of the critically endangered species.

“We have seen a sharp rise in elephants… the rhinos have also increased, black rhino…” Dr Patrick Omondi said.

The endangered Grevy's zebra has, however, dropped to 2,465. The hirola, Africa’s rarest antelope, has also fallen sharply to 245 individuals, with the population of sable antelopes dropping from 51 in 2021 to only 40.

“Hirola are only found in Ijara in Wajir… they have really declined…” Dr Omobdi added.

The census also recommends creating wildlife corridors and relocating human populations between parks to allow easier movement, such as linking Tsavo and Amboseli, and Nairobi National Park and Athi-Kapiti, to support free movement of wildlife.

With rising human–wildlife conflict, the report calls for integration of wildlife data into national and county land-use plans and stronger coexistence mechanisms, such as banning construction of tourist hotels along buffalo migration routes in the Mara.