Bonn
/ Nairobi, 8 July 2011 - As a result of nomination
by the Kenyan Government, which was supported by BirdLife
International, the Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley
has been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List at
the end of June 2011.

The Lake System comprises three inter-linked
relatively shallow lakes (Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru and
Lake Elementaita) in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya and
covers an area of 32,034 hectares. In total, more than 400
bird species have been recorded in and around the lakes
including 13 Globally Threatened bird species, such as the
Lesser Flamingo and the Great White Pelican. The overall
richness of biodiversity makes the Kenyan Lake System an
area that houses one of the most diverse selections of bird
species worldwide.

For more information please visit:

• World
  Heritage Convention (WHC) Website
• Article
  on the Nomination by BirdLife International
• Article
  on the WH Nomination by Birdwatch