Wildlife Fun Facts

1. The Big Five Were Named for Hunting, Not Size
   • The Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino) got their name from being the most dangerous animals to hunt—not their size.
2. Elephants “Mourn” Their Dead
   • African elephants have been observed mourning and showing grief when a member of their herd dies. They even return to the bones of the deceased years later.
3. Giraffes Have the Same Number of Neck Bones as Humans
   • Despite their long necks, giraffes have only seven neck vertebrae—the same as humans! Each vertebra, however, is much larger.
4. Cheetahs Can’t Roar, But They Can Purr
   • Unlike lions and leopards, cheetahs do not roar; instead, they chirp, purr, and even “meow” like house cats to communicate.
5. The Wildebeest Migration is the Largest Land Migration on Earth
   • Over 1.5 million wildebeest, plus zebras and gazelles, travel between Serengeti (Tanzania) and Maasai Mara (Kenya) every year in search of fresh grass, making it the largest mammal migration in the world.
6. Hippos Produce Their Own Sunscreen
   • Hippos secrete a red, oily substance that acts as a natural sunscreen and antibiotic to protect their skin from the sun and infections.
7. Flamingos Get Their Pink Color From Their Diet
   • Flamingos are born gray but turn pink due to their diet of algae and crustaceans, which contain carotenoids (the same pigment that makes carrots orange).
8. A Lion’s Roar Can Be Heard 8 Km Away
   • The sound of a lion’s roar can travel up to 8 km away, helping them communicate with their pride members over vast distances.
9. Crocodiles Can Hold Their Breath for Over an Hour
   • Crocodiles can slow their heart rate and stay underwater for over 60 minutes while waiting to ambush prey.
10. Ostriches Are the Fastest Two-Legged Runners

• Ostriches can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h (43 mph), making them the fastest-running birds in the world!

Conservation Efforts & Interesting Facts

1. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Has Rescued Over 300 Orphaned Elephants
   • Based in Nairobi, SWT rehabilitates orphaned elephants and reintegrates them into the wild, playing a crucial role in elephant conservation.
2. Kenya Banned Plastic Bags in 2017 to Protect Wildlife
   • Kenya’s strict plastic bag ban helps prevent pollution in parks and waterways, protecting wildlife from ingesting plastic waste.
3. East Africa Is Home to Some of the Oldest National Parks
   • Serengeti National Park (Tanzania, 1951) and Nairobi National Park (Kenya, 1946) are among the oldest protected wildlife areas in Africa.
4. Mountain Gorillas Were Once Nearly Extinct
   • Thanks to conservation in Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC, the mountain gorilla population has grown from fewer than 300 to over 1,000 in the past few decades.
5. The Great Green Wall Initiative
   • This African-led project aims to plant a massive belt of trees across the Sahel region to combat desertification and climate change.
6. African Parks Network Protects Over 20 Million Hectares
   • This non-profit organization manages 22 national parks across Africa, ensuring the survival of endangered species and ecosystems.
7. Rhino Conservation Success in Kenya
   • Kenya’s rhino population is slowly recovering due to anti-poaching efforts, from fewer than 400 in the 1980s to over 1,700 today.
8. Amboseli Elephants Are Among the Most Studied in the World
   • The Amboseli Elephant Research Project has been tracking elephant families for over 50 years, providing crucial insights into their behavior and conservation needs.
9. Beehive Fences Protect Farmers and Elephants
   • Some conservation programs use beehive fences to prevent elephants from raiding crops—elephants hate bees, so they stay away, and farmers benefit from honey sales!
10. Marine Conservation in the Indian Ocean

• Watamu Marine National Park (Kenya) and Mafia Island (Tanzania) protect coral reefs, endangered sea turtles, and diverse marine life from overfishing and pollution.