A new Kenyan census conducted between June 2024 and August 2025 reveals a mixed picture for the nation's wildlife, with elephant populations significantly increasing while several rare species face sharp declines.

• Elephant numbers boomed from 36,280 in 2021 to 41,952, and rhino populations grew from 1,812 to 2,102.
• The hirola, "Africa’s rarest antelope," plummeted to only 245 individuals, while the Grevy's zebra dropped to 2,465.
• The Wildlife Research and Training Institute CEO Dr. Patrick Omondi highlighted elephant growth but expressed concern for declining rare species like the hirola, found only in Ijara in Wajir.
• The census recommends wildlife corridors, such as linking Tsavo and Amboseli, and integrating wildlife data into land-use plans to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.