Lake Nakuru. 05/06/90; Rift Valley Province; 18,800 ha; 00°24'S 036°05'E. National Park. A very shallow, strongly alkaline lake, with surrounding woodland and grassland, fed by four seasonal rivers and the permanent Ngosur River. A number of ecosystems including sedge marshes, seasonally flooded and dry grasslands, swampland riparian forests, and various types of scrubland support some globally endangered mammal species such as the black rhino and the hippo, as well as regionally endangered bird species like the African Darter (Anhinga rufa), Great Egret, the range-restricted Grey-crested Helmet-shrike, the Lesser kestrel and the Madagascar pond heron. Tourism is the only activity within the national park, with over 300,000 local and foreign holiday-makers annually. Archeological caves used by early man are found in the area. Small to large-scale agriculture is the largest land use activity nearby, mostly wheat, barley, maize, coffee and potato crops; beef and dairy farming is also practiced in the area, some of which is for commercial production. The main threats within the site include invasive plant species and fencing, which prevents animal migrations - within the catchment, however, threats include the expansion of Nakuru township, forestry, and agricultural activities which worsen water quality and increase erosion and sedimentation. Ramsar site no. 476. Most recent RIS information: 2005.