The mission of this organisation is to understand, protect and restore bird of prey populations in Kenya.
The Kenya Bird of Prey Trust (KBoPT) is a registered Kenyan Trust (not- for-profit organisation) founded on many years of experience of bird of prey management and conservation in Kenya and around the world.
Birds of prey (also known as raptors) include all vultures, eagles, hawks, buzzards, goshawks, sparrowhawks, harriers, falcons, kestrels, owls, the osprey and the secretarybird. Most of these species are predators and/or scavengers. Over 100 species of raptors (103 species using IOC taxonomy) have been recorded in Kenya. Many of them are breeding residents or are regular migrants to the region.
Raptors are species of conservation concern. Unfortunately, many of Kenya’s 103 raptor species are declining rapidly and without immediate conservation action will continue to disappear from across the country. Six of the eight vulture species found in Kenya are listed as either Endangered or Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). We expect many of Kenya’s large eagles to be up listed to Endangered in the coming years. The primary drivers of raptor population decline in Kenya are habitat loss, poisoning, and poorly designed energy infrastructure.
Due to their high trophic position, raptors can be used as indicator species for measuring ecosystem function and health.
Many species are increasingly involved in human-wildlife conflict. As human populations continue to grow they are coming into increasing contact with raptor populations. Raptors often view domestic stock and poultry as food sources, and cause conflict by predating on these animals. It is important that we study raptor populations so that we can prevent conflict and promote coexistence.
Caring for injured or sick raptors is a valuable conservation tool. The Naivasha raptor centre serves as a first base for incoming injured or poisoned birds where initial treatment is provided. Longer term care is also provided for recovering and permanently injured raptors; many of whom are important specimens for public educational display and captive breeding programs.
Monitoring and research efforts are focused on using the latest methods and technologies to improve the understanding of species’ populations and ecology to directly inform their conservation. They design practical solutions to contribute to raptor conservation and engage in the mitigation of human-caused raptor mortality, especially in terms of deaths caused by power lines, poisoning, and persecution. They also work tirelessly to identify areas of significant raptor importance to ensure that these landscapes are protected in perpetuity.
We have recently installed eight owl boxes across the Loldia farm in order to boost barn owl and spotted eagle owl populations.
Loldia House guests are welcome to visit the Naivasha Raptor Centre where they can spend time with the birds and learn about their rescue, rehabilitation and conservation. Visits are by appointment only either at 11am or 3pm. A USD20 donation is suggested for our guests. We can also arrange for presentations to be given by one of the The Kenya Bird of Prey Trust directors followed by dinner with an informal question and answer session at Loldia House. A minimum donation of USD150 is required and this must be booked in advance.
Donations towards the upkeep of the birds at the centre are gratefully accepted via our donation button.
