Principle Investigator Prof. James M. Mbaria, Department of Public

Health, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture &

Veterinary Sciences University of Nairobi

Members of the research team and affiliation

No

Name Country institution

Role

1 Prof. J. Mbaria Kenya UON Kenyan PI/ Toxicologist

2 Dr. E. Kariuki Kenya KWS Wildlife Vet/ Capture and sampling

3 Dr. G. Muchemi Kenya UON Epidemiologist/Study design and data mgt

4 Dr. F. Gakuya Kenya KWS Wildlife Vet/logistics

5 Prof. A. Kotze South Africa

NZG SA -PI/ Genetist

6 Prof. R. Jansen South Africa

TUT Ornithologist

7 Prof. V. Naidoo South Africa

UP Toxicologist

8 Dr. Ian. Espie South Africa

NZG Wildlife vet/ Logistics

9 K. Lambuschagne

South Africa

NZG Sample handling and analysis

10 M. Meyer South Africa

NZG Vet Nurse/ sampling

Other partnerships createdNational Museums of KenyaHotels and lodges( Crater lake, Elementaita)Endangered Wildlife TrustJohannesburg ZooParys Crane Breeding Facility, Free State, SAHlatikulu Crane and Wetland SanctuaryKarkloof Conservation Centre

Project overview

• Wildlife is a heritage of national priority for South Africa and Kenya.

• Environmental contaminants are a recognized threat to wildlife.

• Ecotoxicological studies in South Africa and Kenya are infrequent, though sources of contaminants exist in both countries.

• Wildlife, including birds, serve as indicators of environmental health.

This is an exploratory study on environmental contaminants that could lead to extinction of the Lesser flamingos and Wattled crane

Status under IUCN(International Union for Conservation of Nature) and CITES (Convention on

International Trade in Endangered Species)Species Scientific

NameCountry IUCN-

Red list status

CITES designation

Economic importance

Lesser

Flamingo

Phoenicopterus

minor

Kenya Near

Threatene

d

N/A High

Great

Pelican

Pelecanus

oncorotalus

Kenya Least

Concern

N/A Moderate

Wattled

crane

Burgeranus

carunculatus

South

Africa

Critically

endangere

d

Appendix

2

High

Objectives

Identify the chemical pollutants; determine the epidemiology of the pollution, source, means of spread, and affected tissues; determine the ecotoxicological effects of the pollution of the above, characterize and quantify the pollutants.

Build research partnerships and capacity in the field of ecotoxicology among scientists in Kenya and South Africa with the larger goal of developing a monitoring program of environmental contaminants to understand the effects of pollutants on wildlife and humans and raise awareness of contaminate-related issues for wildlife and humans.  

Assess environmental contaminants in avian species of high national priority and socio-economic importance to identify threats to wildlife. A broad spectrum analysis of heavy metals, pesticides, and PCBs will be measured in eggs and tissues of the selected focal species: Lesser Flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor) and Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) in Kenya and Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus) in South Africa.

Expected OutputsPublish and distribute results to interested parties to better

inform conservation initiatives.Contribute data for research related to completion of

degrees of participating studentsFormation of a cooperative research relationship between

international partners to address local conservation needs.Generate protocols for collecting, storing, and analyzing

samples from focal species in Kenya and South Africa for future ecotoxicological studies. Information will address gaps in knowledge identified from surveys.

Build a knowledge base to be used towards continued study and strengthened conservation efforts of African wildlife species of high conservation concern.

Foster local and regional understanding of the impact of environmental contaminants of all inhabitants of the local ecosystem, including humans

Project field activities South Africa

Above: Kenya and SA research team being being introduced to pellet feeds fed on cranes at Parys Breeding centre.

Below: Kenyan PI discussing the project with Mananger , Parys breeding centre, SA. This was followed by collection of feathers and faecal samples.

Project field activities in South Africa

Above: Kenyan and SA research team being introduced to cranes habitat at Hlatikulu crane and wetland sanctuary as well as being guided to see cranes in the wild.

Below: Kenyan PI discussing the project with a scientist from Endangered wildlife trust at Karkloof Conservation Center, SA. The scientist was incorporated as a key partner in the project.

Project activities in KenyaAbove: Kenyan and SA

research team being in group photo after the courtesy call to the Principal at College of Agriculture and Veterinary sciences UoN.

Below: SA PI being shown the Gas Liquid chromatographic equipment (GLC) by a technologist( Mr. J. Nderitu) at UoN. The GLC is being used for analysis of chemical pollutants( contaminants)

Project activities in KenyaAbove: Photograph of

Flamingos at Lake Oloiden taken during a research trip to the Kenyan Rift Valley lakes. A trap was used to captures some life birds for sampling

Below: Dead flamingos at Lake Oloiden (The visit to the lake coincided with a die off of flamingos). Post-mortem examinations were carried out on the carcasses and samples taken

Project activity- KenyaAbove: The research

team carrying out post-mortem examinations and collecting biological samples (blood, liver, brain, muscles, bones) for laboratory analysis

Below: One of live flamingos captured for sampling. The bird was later released back to its habitat. Some birds were sacrificed for the study

Project activities in KenyaAbove: A Kenyan

member of the research team (Dr. G. Muchemi) and a student collecting environmental samples (water and sediments) in one of the selected sites in the study area

Below: The research team pose for a group photo after collecting sample from lake Elementaita in Rift Valley, Kenya