Kenya’s 2025 wildlife census shows mixed results: elephants and rhinos recover while other species struggle

Kenya’s latest national wildlife census presents a tale of two conservation stories, with some of the country’s most iconic species making remarkable recoveries while others face continued decline. The 2025 report, released by the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), reveals that targeted conservation efforts are paying off for elephants, rhinos, and giraffes, even as other wildlife populations remain vulnerable.

The census documented impressive gains for several flagship species since 2021. Kenya’s elephant population grew by 4% to more than 40,000 individuals, while both black and white rhino populations also increased by 4%, bringing the total to just over 2,100 rhinos nationwide. Giraffes showed the strongest growth at 5.4%, with at least 43,000 individuals now roaming Kenya’s landscapes. Conservation officials credit these successes to decades of anti-poaching efforts, strategic animal relocations, stronger law enforcement, community-based conservation programs, and improved habitat connectivity between protected areas.

However, the report also highlighted ongoing conservation challenges, with some species showing stagnant or declining numbers, though specific details were not provided in the available findings. At the report’s launch on December 11, President William Ruto characterized the results as “a mosaic of wins and urgent conservation emergencies,” emphasizing the need for continued vigilance.

The WRTI recommended integrating the census data into national and county land-use planning and called for faster implementation of the Wildlife Conservation Bill (2025) and amendments to the Wildlife Act of 2023. These policy changes aim to better protect wildlife corridors and strengthen conservation frameworks across Kenya’s parks and community conservancies.