Nature Kenya has purchased 1000 acres of land at Dakatcha woodland forest in Magarini area of Kilifi County to conserve endangered coastal wildlife.
Authorities said the land will be converted to a nature reserve for conservation of the Clarke’s weaver bird – a rare species only found in Kilifi County together with other rare coastal wildlife.
Clarke Weaver is considered endangered by the IUCN Red list of endangered species.
Nature Kenya Executive Director Paul Matiku said the organization is focusing on protecting water sources and fragile soil in the Dakatcha woodland forest.
He said Dakatcha, is on the verge of extinction due to human activities including the recently banned charcoal production and farming.
In a press release he said the move will help to conserve the Clarke’s weaver that lives only in Kilifi County and are not found anywhere else in the world
“Dakatcha Woodland is the only known global breeding area for the Clarke’s Weaver. The forest is unprotected. With the increasing population, there is a scramble for land for development. There is no guarantee that land will be spared to support the breeding of this threatened bird,” he said.
The Nature Kenya boss said the purchase was an assurance that the four seasonal wetlands located within the Dakatcha woodland will continue to provide breeding sites for the Clarke’s Weaver.
“Land purchase alone, however, will not fix the threats facing wildlife in Dakatcha. It is critical that owners manage their land in a manner that will allow natural forests to thrive,” he said.
Research indicates that Clarke’s Weavers have only been seen in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and in Dakatcha Woodland, where they nest.
The Rare birds’ species are usually said to be seen in small flocks, feeding on insects in the forest and consume large numbers of insects.
Matiku said currently the birds have a small and fragmented range, as their forest habitat is being cleared for cultivation or to make charcoal.
He said the acquisition of the 1,000 acres is a first and critical step towards giving Dakatcha Woodland some form of formal protection.
The forest has been under threat due to massive destruction by locals and charcoal traders who were producing charcoal in large numbers forcing the government to ban charcoal production not only in Dakatcha but countrywide.
Matiku said the land was acquired with support from the World Land Trust, RESOLVE and African Bird club adding that it will be designated as a nature reserve.