Once home to over 10,000 white crocodiles, the waters of Lake Kamnarok in Kenya’s Rift Valley have dried up due to failed weather. The lake has been second to Lake Chad in crocodile holding capacity in Africa.
Lake Kamnarok is a seasonal lake and the only ex-bow lake in Kenya, at the base of the Kerio Valley. The name originated from the Kalenjin word Narok, which is used to refer to a species of water plant that was widely found in the lake. Thick mash surrounds the lake, making accessibility challenging and a good cover for crocodile nests.
But the ox-bow lake has been shrinking over the years, largely due to fluctuations in weather systems and this year, it has immensely dried up. It has also been draining its water to a nearby river through a natural fissure, according to local reports.
Crocodile carcasses are now scattered on its cracked floor. The few remaining crocodiles have relocated to nearby private dams, a resident narrated.
To add salt to the injury, the shores of the ox-bore lake gazetted in 1984 have been turned into a farm. This is due to the water hyacinth and other vegetation that have covered it over time.
The ecosystem was also home to 59 species of birds, but today most of them have migrated to other areas. The park around the lake is home to 600 elephants, but due to the drying up of the lake, conflicts between man and wildlife have increased.
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