Influential human dimensions on the historical development of wildlife conservation in Laikipia-Samburu region

The Laikipia-Samburu ecosystem has the most complex land use system (comprised of community trustlands, national parks, national reserves, community wildlife conservancies, private ranches, a resort city, small-holder farms,... [ view full abstract ]

The Laikipia-Samburu ecosystem has the most complex land use system (comprised of community trustlands, national parks, national reserves, community wildlife conservancies, private ranches, a resort city, small-holder farms, government land, towns and villages) in Kenya. The region hosts the largest population of free-ranging elephants (Loxodonta africana africana) - about 7,000 animals - living outside the protected area network in East Africa. In addition, it has the world's largest population (over 90%) of the globally endangered Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi). Livestock husbandry through commercial and cultural systems is the dominant land-use. Hence, conservation value systems peculiar to each of the 12 diverse ethnic groups and land users (including colonial-era private ranch owners and internal immigrants) have changed dramatically in the past century in response to human development needs and aspirations of each group. Hence, wildlife conservation in the region has been adapting to the changing human dimensions in various ways thus making Laikipia-Samburu is a microcosm of nature conservation dynamics in modern society.