The Plastic-Animal Interface: Mapping a Hidden Crisis in Nairobi

Is plastic becoming a permanent part of the wild "IQ" of Nairobi’s animals? As we expand our urban footprint, the boundary between human waste and wildlife habitat is disappearing. At Animal IQ, we aren’t just looking at the presence of trash; we are investigating the spatial distribution and behavioral interactions that occur when plastic meets nature.

The Mission: More Than Just Litter
Our latest research project moves beyond simple "clean-ups." We are mapping the Plastic-Animal Interface to understand how macro-plastic waste (bottles, bags, and wrappers) is physically altering the lives of our terrestrial and aquatic neighbors.

Our Core Objectives:
The Waste Map: We are identifying and geotagging "hotspots" where plastic accumulation is highest in our local conservation areas.
The Species Log: Documenting exactly which animals—from Marabou Storks to Sykes' Monkeys—are forced to live alongside our waste.
The Interaction Index: We are classifying how they interact. Are they foraging in it? Nesting with it? Or getting trapped by it?
The Environmental Link: Analyzing how proximity to water sources and human traffic increases the risk of plastic-wildlife conflict.

What We Are Seeing
Early field observations suggest that plastic isn't just "there"—it's being integrated. We are seeing patterns of high-risk interactions near water bodies, where the density of single-use plastics threatens both aquatic life and the animals that come to drink.

Want to be part of the movement?
Stay tuned or reach out to join our field team.