Tana River Delta

Northern part of the Kenya Coast from north of Kipini to the Kilifi River in the south, encompassing the Tana River Delta and the Ungwana (or Formosa) Bay, including the offshore island of Ziwayuu and others. The administrative Districts include Tana River, Lamu and Malindi. The area comprises approximately 3,350 km squared

Description

A deltaic system with associated wetlands of fresh and brackish waters, streams and lakes mixed with sand dunes and grasslands. Small islands with limited coral growth and extensive seagrass beds. There are nine species of mangrove and the highest concentration of the mangrove Heritiera littoralis in the ecoregion. The area is an important feeding area for migrant birds and has over 1% of biogeographical populations for 21 species. High concentrations of wildlife are present in the estuary and delta including hippopotamus, crocodile, elephant, lion, bushbuck and Hirora antelope, and it is an important habitat for dugong. Turtles nesting takes place on the beaches of the Bay.

Contacts

Kenya Sea Turtle Conservation Committee and Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute.

Conservation Status

Habitat and ecosystem is high quality because an estimated 80% of the complex estuarine/deltaic system is intact and functional. Some species are seriously threatened, notably dugongs and turtles, as well as benthic habitats, from industrial fishing activities. There is high natural recuperation because of the area’s size, complexity and adaptability, e.g. much natural mangrove rehabilitation has occurred since the 1998 El Niño event. However, increased impacts of human threats through dam construction and irrigation schemes in the catchment area and trawling in the Delta will lower the system’s resilience. The dugong is also highly endangered with virtually no resilience. The site remains without any formal protection status.

Summary of threats and information needs

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