Shimba Hills National Reserve

Shimba Hills National Reserve
IUCN categoryII (national park)
Location of Shimba Hills National Reserve
Location	Kwale County,Kenya
Nearest city	Mombasa
Coordinates	04°15′26″S39°23′16″E
Area	192.51 km2(74.33 sq mi)
Established	1968
Governing body	Kenya Wildlife Service

Forest elephants in the Shimba Hills National Reserve

TheShimba Hills National Reserveis a small National Reserve in the formerCoast ProvinceofKenya,33 km fromMombasaand 15 km from the coast. The reserve is an area ofcoastal rainforest,woodlandandgrassland.It is an important area forplantbiodiversity– over 50% of the 159 rare plants in Kenya are found in the Shimba Hills, including some endangered species ofcycadandorchids.It is also a nationally important site forbirdsandbutterflies.

There are estimated to be approximately 700elephantsin the reserve. This population is unsustainably high – it causes significant damage to vegetation, threatening the endangered plant life. The conflict between humans and elephants has also reached critical levels. North of the reserve, theMwaluganje Elephant Sanctuaryhas been established to provide a route for elephants to leave the park. The remainder of the park boundary is fenced to prevent the elephants from invading farmland. TheKenya Wildlife Servicehas plans to relocate up to 400 elephants from Shimba toTsavo East National Parkin 2005.

Shimba Hills contains Kenya's only population ofsable antelope.There are about 100 in the park.

External links

• Kenya Wildlife Service – Shimba Hills National Reserve