BACK FROM THE BRINK: KENYA’S ROAN ANTELOPE

At WildLandscapes, we believe that every species matters. We dedicate a great deal of time and energy to rhinos, not just because they’re endangered, or because they’re extraordinary, almost prehistoric animals that stir something in all of us, but because they’re what’s known as an umbrella species. Protecting them helps safeguard entire ecosystems and countless other forms of life.

But our focus doesn’t end there. We also care deeply about species that are easier to overlook: those that don’t make headlines, but are just as vital to biodiversity, cultural identity, and national pride.

While serving on the board of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Ian Craig commissioned a report to identify the country’s most endangered species. What stood out was the roan antelope. Once common across Kenya’s grasslands, roan numbers had plummeted, driven to the brink by habitat loss, poaching, and competing pressures. By that time, only a small population remained, isolated in Ruma National Park. While roan antelopes are faring better in other parts of Africa, in Kenya they are perilously close to local extinction.

But there is hope. The Kenya Roan Antelope Recovery Master Plan (2024–2028) is an ambitious, multi-partner initiative to reverse this decline and re-establish a self-sustaining population. By strengthening protection in Ruma and creating new founder populations at Ol Pejeta and Partakilat Conservancies, the goal is to increase numbers to 50 individuals within five years, and eventually to 200, at which point they can be reintroduced into the broader landscape.

The approach combines in-situ conservation - improving security and genetic resilience within Ruma - with ex-situ breeding programs in controlled environments. Predator-proof enclosures, habitat restoration, health monitoring, and active engagement with local communities are all critical components.

This is a true collaborative effort. Led by KWS, the plan brings together scientists, NGOs, private conservancies, and local communities. WildLandscapes is proud to play a role by mobilizing resources, building partnerships, and helping to ensure the work is sustainable for the long term. Much of this work has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the MPESA Foundation, whose commitment extends not only to saving the roan antelope, but also to establishing an education centre that will foster long-term awareness and understanding of conservation as a whole.

The project carries both ecological and symbolic weight. Roan antelopes are essential to healthy grassland dynamics, and their recovery would signal a wider return to ecosystem balance. Their survival is also part of Kenya’s conservation legacy, a reaffirmation of the country’s leadership in biodiversity protection and its commitment to future generations.

The challenge is real. But so is the opportunity. With focus and collaboration, we believe the roan antelope can once again roam freely in Kenya’s wild places.