Data is required to conserve and protect the diverse habitat in which the Tsavo elephants and other wildlife live. The status of elephant’s habitat and ecosystem dynamics data facilitate monitoring ecological trends to address the impact of climate change and other human – indued changes in Tsavo. Currently these data are collected within Tsavo East National Park and stored in separate databases.
Landscape
Vegetation status, fires, invasive plant and tourism. Data are collected on changes in the vegetation: drought and floods. Fire impact: location, dimensions, season, recovery time and monitor fire breaks. Invasive plants: Several invasive plants are monitored within the National Park. Data is used to monitor the impact on the habitat, elephants and other species: location, dimensions, habitat structure and presence of elephants and other wildlife, footprints, and evidence of feeding. Tourism: Monitor the impacts of tourism on the landscape: off-road driving: location and extent of the destruction and vegetation recovery over time.
Water
Rivers: Data are collected on the status of three rivers: permanent surface flow of Galana and seasonal surface flow of Mbololo and Voi Rivers. The two seasonal rivers are important water sources for elephants, wildlife and the riverine woodland. Data collected include surface flow, location of elephant dug-wells, springs and pools. Both of these rivers originate outside the National Park in the western hill community region, an important resource, and flow into the park. Voi River bisects the central region of southern region of Tsavo East National Park and is a vital resource for vegetation growth, elephants and other wildlife species. Waterholes: Data collected include status of natural and man-made (borehole, troughs, windmills) water resources: location, dimensions and the surrounding habitat. Photographs are taken of scooped waterholes to monitor the amount of time rain water is retained after scooping and monitor changes in the surrounding vegetation. Water pipeline: pipe leaks creating pools: location, dimension and surrounding vegetation.
Wildlife
Data are collected on endangered and rare species and species of unknown status: location, season, group composition / size, habitat and activity. Species: Rhino, Grevy’s Zebra, Topi, Hirola, Giraffe, Wild Dogs, Lions, Cheetah, Serval, Caracal, Hyena, Hippos in waterholes away from rivers, vultures and migratory birds.
Human Activity
National Park encroachment, tourism activities, wildlife mortality and poaching. Data are collected on humans and livestock inside the park: location, distance inside the park, habitat structure, group size and activity: collecting water / sand, cutting shrubs / trees and collecting firewood; livestock feeding / drinking. Tourism activities: development of facilities and trash. Wildlife mortality / poaching. Data collected includes: location, date, cause (vehicle, poaching), age / sex and carcass age.