The country's wildlife authority has launched a free application that allows mobile phone users to track sightings of rare mammals to help authorities protect them.

The application, called 'Mammal Atlas Kenya' or 'Makenya', allows any user who sees a wild mammal to identify it and locate it.

According to the authority, there has been difficulty in protecting these mammals as climate change and human activities are affecting their natural habitat.

A researcher at the National Museums of Kenya, Dr Simon Musila, said that due to this situation, the National Museums of Kenya, the Kenya Environment Mammal Committee and other partners developed the mobile application, which also provides a way to upload photos and information, such as the number of mammals seen and their exact locations.

He said: "You can also add character... What does this animal do when you see it?"

Are they resting?

Are they running?

Do they eat?

What are they doing right now that you see them?"

Musila said it is important to engage the public by using technology to help the small number of mammal specialists in the country.

The wildlife authority said staff will keep records of changes in the animals' environment and living conditions.

"There is a need to bring many people who can contribute a lot of data," he said and added: "These are people like tour guides, people like students, tourists, people who go out and meet animals and they will be ready to submit data."

Users of the Makenya app have already reported more than 2,500 mammal sightings since the app was launched in August.

According to various experts, Africa contributes to a small amount in climate change, but bears the burden of its consequences.

The Vice President of the African Wildlife Foundation, Dr. Philip Muruthi, was quoted in a conversation with Voice of America (VOA) as saying that the reproduction of rare mammals and the survival rate of children is decreasing.