Natural Kenya

Lake Turkana Parks

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Connections for Lake Turkana Parks

The Lake Turkana National Parks provide an important stopping point for migratory birds and holds fossil and geological records that have brought an understanding of its paleo-environment.

The parks consist of Sibiloi National Park and two islands on Lake Turkana (South Island and Central Island). They contain both animal and hominid fossils in the Koobi Fora deposits which are unique in the world. The parks also are a breeding ground for the Nile crocodile, hippopotamus, and snakes.

Community Perspective: more romantically known as the Jade Sea, the area is characterized by a constant fight for survival against drought and starvation.

Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
Lake Turkana National Parks (ID: 801)
Country
Kenya
Status
Inscribed 1997 Site history
History of Lake Turkana Parks
2018: In Danger
Threats come from Dam in Ethiopia (already complete), plus sugar developments and the LAPSSETT project
2001: Extended
To include South Island National Park
2001: Name change
From "Sibiloi/Central Island National Parks" to "Lake Turkana National Parks"
1997: Deferred
Bureau - Need to sort out Natural aspects (Mammal fossils) from Cultural (Hominid) even though Kenya only nominated under natural criteria
1997: Inscribed
Inscribed
In Danger
Threats come from Dam in Ethiopia (already complete), plus sugar developments and the LAPSSETT project Since 2018
Type
Natural
Criteria
  • viii
  • x
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
Official
  • kws.go.ke — The official site for Sibiloi National Park
All Links
UNESCO.org
Official Website
  • kws.go.ke — The official site for Sibiloi National Park
News Article
  • 4 Dec 2024 newscientist.com — Footprints preserved on the shore of Lake Turkana in Kenya seem to be from two ancient human species
  • 4 Mar 2019 cbsnews.com — Kenya helicopter crash leaves 4 Americans and a local pilot dead
  • 8 Mar 2016 newsecuritybeat.org — An Update on Kenya’s Dwindling Lake Turkana as Ethiopian Dam Begins Operation
  • 26 Jun 2015 huffingtonpost.com — Will the World Take Action to Stop the Destruction of Lake Turkana?
  • 15 Dec 2013 globalpost.com — Lake Turkana could become another Aral Sea disaster from 2014
  • 12 Aug 2011 sudantribune.com — Ethiopian officials reject UN calls to suspend controversial dam project affecting Kenya's Lake Turkana
  • 28 Jul 2011 nation.co.ke — UN calls for suspension of giant Ethiopian hydropower dam, said to endanger the existence of Lake Turkana.

Community Information

  • Community Category
  • Paleontology: Non-hominid fossils
  • Natural landscape: Rivers, Wetlands and Lakes
Travel Information
No travel information
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Connections of Lake Turkana Parks
News
newscientist.com 04/12/2024
Footprints preserved on the shore …
cbsnews.com 04/03/2019
Kenya helicopter crash leaves 4 Am…
newsecuritybeat.org 08/03/2016
An Update on Kenya’s Dwindling Lak…

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