Arawale National Reserve
Encyclopedia
The Arawale National Reserve is a designated conservation area managed by the Garissa County in assistance with the Kenya Wildlife Service
. It lies in North Eastern Province
of Kenya
, 77 km south of the town of Garissa
. The reserve covers an area of 53324 ha (533 km²; 206 sq mi). To the west, it is bordered by the Tana River
and, to the east, by the Garissa-Lamu road. In 1974, the reserve was gazetted as the only in-situ conservation site for the critically endangered Hirola
population endemic to north-eastern Kenya and south-west Somalia
.
, Grevy’s Zebra, African Wild Dog
and Cheetah
. A study commissioned by Terra Nuova
in 2006 also showed signs of presence of the African Elephant.
Kenya Wildlife Service
The Kenya Wildlife Service, otherwise known by the initialism KWS, is a Kenyan state corporation that was established in 1990 to conserve and manage Kenya’s wildlife...
. It lies in North Eastern Province
North Eastern Province (Kenya)
North Eastern Province is the third largest province in Kenya and has thirteen constituencies represented in the Kenya National Assembly.The region is home to a rare type of antelope called the Hirola, which is classified as an endangered species. The NFD's pastoralists also possess livestock in...
of Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, 77 km south of the town of Garissa
Garissa
Garissa is a city in the North Eastern Province of Kenya. It is the capital of both the province and Garissa District.-Overview:Garissa is located at and has a population of 65,881 inhabitants . The Tana River flows through the city....
. The reserve covers an area of 53324 ha (533 km²; 206 sq mi). To the west, it is bordered by the Tana River
Tana River (Kenya)
The long Tana River is the longest river in Kenya, and gives its name to the Tana River District. Its tributaries include the Thika. The river rises in the Aberdare Mountains to the west of Nyeri. Initially it runs east before turning south around the massif of Mount Kenya. The river then runs...
and, to the east, by the Garissa-Lamu road. In 1974, the reserve was gazetted as the only in-situ conservation site for the critically endangered Hirola
Hirola
The Hirola is an antelope species found in arid grassy plains in a pocket on the border between Kenya and Somalia. It's the only member of the genus Beatragus.Hirola are known as the "four-eyed antelope," due to their large preorbital glands...
population endemic to north-eastern Kenya and south-west Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
.
Wildlife
The reserve is a critical refuge for a range of wildlife species including four globally threatened species: HirolaHirola
The Hirola is an antelope species found in arid grassy plains in a pocket on the border between Kenya and Somalia. It's the only member of the genus Beatragus.Hirola are known as the "four-eyed antelope," due to their large preorbital glands...
, Grevy’s Zebra, African Wild Dog
African Wild Dog
Lycaon pictus is a large canid found only in Africa, especially in savannas and lightly wooded areas. It is variously called the African wild dog, African hunting dog, Cape hunting dog, painted dog, painted wolf, painted hunting dog, spotted dog, or ornate wolf...
and Cheetah
Cheetah
The cheetah is a large-sized feline inhabiting most of Africa and parts of the Middle East. The cheetah is the only extant member of the genus Acinonyx, most notable for modifications in the species' paws...
. A study commissioned by Terra Nuova
Terra Nuova
Terra Nuova is an international non-governmental organization. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Italy, It focuses on promoting equitable and sustainable socio-economic development in various African and Latin America countries, including Mali, Kenya, Peru and Nicaragua...
in 2006 also showed signs of presence of the African Elephant.