Just how many wildebeest are there in Serengeti? We're about to find out!

Arusha. The counting of wildebeest has almost been completed.

The migratory animals have made the Serengeti National Park famous globally.

The results of the census, which started a fortnight ago, will be made public in two months’ time, according to the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (Tawiri).

During the last counting in 2015, the number of the wildebeest was 1.3 million, said Dr Edward Koyi, the principal wildlife researcher with the Arusha-based institute.

The census is coordinated by the Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa) and the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS).

FZS has been supporting conservation programmes in Tanzania for decades.

Friedkin Conservation Fund, one of the organisations involved in conservation, donated Sh100 million to facilitate the census.

The counting of the animals was undertaken through the use of aircraft which took photos, now being analysed by experts.

Satellite images are also being analysed, according to Dr Koyi, adding that a panel of wildlife researchers across the world are involved in studying the images to get the correct figures.

Serengeti National Park chief park warden William Mwakilema said the park authorities welcomed the census as it would establish the exact number of the wildebeest currently roaming the plains of Serengeti.

FZS country representative Gerald Bigurube said the census would enable wildlife conservators to know the challenges facing the protection of the animals.