BirdLife International, Nature
Kenya, Kenya Bird of Prey Trust and The Peregrine Fund have collectively
expressed concern over a proposal to develop the Kipeto Wind Energy Project, in
Kajiado County, Kenya. This is due to the fact that the proposed wind farm will
be in close proximity to the nesting sites of two species of Critically
Endangered vultures and also close to an important flyway for a vast numbers of
migratory birds.
Just 14 km from Kwenia cliffs –
the third largest nesting site of Rüppell’s Vultures in Kenya – and 10 km from
the White-backed Vulture colony, these wind turbine blades could severely
impact these species, both on the edge of extinction. Recent surveys
commissioned by the project developers show that collectively these two
colonies regularly hold more than 80 pairs of nesting vultures and that both
species frequently fly over and occasionally forage at the proposed wind farm
site and would be at risk of colliding with wind turbines.
The area has already seen the
extinction of Endangered Egyptian Vultures, yet it still holds an impressive
number of cliff-dwelling large falcons and Verreaux’s Eagles. The project
location lies along the north-south ridge of the Rift Valley Escarpment, which
is a prime location for migratory species including globally endangered Steppe
Eagles as well as Amur Falcons, Eurasian Hobbys, Lesser Kestrels and White
Storks. The site is unique for its density of raptors, and deserving of special
protection status, particularly in recognition that African Vultures are
vitally important “cleaners of the environment” that help prevent the spread of
diseases.
No comments:
Post a Comment