KE050
Masai Mara This is an IBA in danger! 


IBA Criteria

Year of most recent IBA criteria assessment: 2001

Populations of IBA trigger species
Species Current IUCN Red List Category Season Year(s) of estimate Population estimate IBA Criteria Triggered
Corncrake Crex crex LC winter - present A1
Madagascar Pond-heron Ardeola idae EN non-breeding 1999 present A1
Usambiro Barbet Trachyphonus usambiro LC resident 1999 present A2
Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni LC passage 1999 present A1
Grey-crested Helmetshrike Prionops poliolophus NT resident 1999 present A1, A2
Red-throated Tit Melaniparus fringillinus LC resident 1999 present A1
Rufous-tailed Weaver Histurgops ruficauda LC resident 1999 present A2
Jackson's Widowbird Euplectes jacksoni NT resident 1999 present A1, A2

Note: This table presents the IBA criteria triggered and the species that triggered then at the time of assessment, the current IUCN Red List category may vary from that which was in place at that time.

For more information about the IBA assessment process and criteria please click here


IBA Monitoring

Most recent IBA monitoring assessment
Year of assessment Threat score (pressure) Condition score (state) Action score (response)
2021 very high unfavourable medium
Was the whole site covered? Yes State assessed by Habitat
Accuracy of information good

Threats to the site (pressure)
Threat Level 1 Threat Level 2 Timing Scope Severity Result
Agricultural expansion and intensification annual & perennial non-timber crops - small-holder farming likely in short term (within 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Agricultural expansion and intensification livestock farming and ranching (includes forest grazing) - agro-industry grazing, ranching or farmin happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Agricultural expansion and intensification livestock farming and ranching (includes forest grazing) - nomadic grazing happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Agricultural expansion and intensification livestock farming and ranching (includes forest grazing) - small-holder grazing, ranching or farming happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Biological resource use hunting & collecting terrestrial animals - intentional use (species being assessed is the target) happening now whole area/population (>90%) very rapid to severe deterioration very high
Biological resource use hunting & collecting terrestrial animals - persecution/control happening now whole area/population (>90%) very rapid to severe deterioration very high
Biological resource use logging & wood harvesting - unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Climate change and severe weather drought happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Climate change and severe weather habitat shifting and alteration likely in short term (within 4 years) majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Climate change and severe weather storms and floods happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Energy production and mining mining and quarrying likely in short term (within 4 years) majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Energy production and mining renewable energy happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Human intrusions and disturbance recreational activities happening now whole area/population (>90%) very rapid to severe deterioration very high
Human intrusions and disturbance work and other activities likely in short term (within 4 years) majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Natural system modifications fire & fire suppression - increase in fire frequency/intensity happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) slow but significant deterioration high
Natural system modifications other ecosystem modifications happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Pollution agricultural & forestry effluents - herbicides and pesticides happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Pollution domestic & urban waste water - sewage happening now some of area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Pollution garbage & solid waste happening now some of area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Residential and commercial development commercial and industrial development likely in short term (within 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration medium
Residential and commercial development housing and urban areas happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) very rapid to severe deterioration very high
Residential and commercial development tourism and recreation areas happening now whole area/population (>90%) very rapid to severe deterioration very high
Transportation and service corridors flight paths happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Transportation and service corridors roads and railroads happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high

Condition of habitat (state)
Habitat Habitat Detail Reference Area (ha) Actual Area (ha) % of habitat remaining % of carrying capacity (overall) Result
Savanna Bushland & thicket - evergreen 0 0 moderate (70-90%) moderate (70-90%) unfavourable

Conservation actions taken at site (response)
Conservation Designation Management Planning Conservation Action Result
Most of site (50-90%) covered (including the most critical parts for important bird species) A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive Substantive conservation measures are being implemented but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity medium
For more information about IBA monitoring please click here

IBA Protection

Protected Area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)
Siana Private Reserve 152,000 protected area contained by site 152,000
Olorien Private Reserve 26,000 protected area contained by site 26,000
Olchorro Ouirwa Private Reserve 11,800 protected area contained by site 11,800
Olare Orok Community Conservancy 9,720 protected area contained by site 0
Ol Kinyei Community Conservancy 3,440 protected area contained by site 80,000
Ol Chorro Oiroua Community Conservancy 6,879 protected area contained by site 0
Naboisho Community Conservancy 20,628 protected area contained by site 0
Motorogi Community Conservancy 5,466 protected area contained by site 0
Masai Mara National Reserve 151,000 protected area overlaps with site 151,000
Mara North Community Conservancy 30,955 protected area contained by site 0
Lemek Community Conservancy 6,860 protected area contained by site 66,000
Koiyaki Private Reserve 94,000 protected area contained by site 94,000
Kimindet Private Reserve 37,000 protected area contained by site 37,000
Kerinkani Private Reserve 8,100 protected area contained by site 8,100
Angata Baragoi Private Reserve 7,900 protected area contained by site 7,900

Habitats

IUCN Habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest Lowland forest - riparian, Woodland - monodominant -
Grassland Grassland - edaphic, dry -
Savanna Bushland & thicket - evergreen -
Shrubland Scrub - woodland -
For further information about the habitat classification please click here.

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
nature conservation and research -
tourism/recreation -
For further information about the land use classification please click here.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Masai Mara. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 02/04/2023.