The nature, extent and spatial distribution of human-wildlife conflicts in Taveta Sub-county, southern Kenya

Human-wildlife conflicts have been on the increase and challenge both wildlife managers and conservationists. The conflicts are a significant problem in Africa that influences local communities’ food security, safety and... [ view full abstract ]

Human-wildlife conflicts have been on the increase and challenge both wildlife managers and conservationists. The conflicts are a significant problem in Africa that influences local communities’ food security, safety and well-being as well as the country’s economy. To manage the conflicts, site specific data is required for a particular locality. In this study, both farm characterization techniques and questionnaires were used to collect data to describe Human-wildlife conflicts in Taveta subcounty. Eating of and trampling on crops were the main forms of conflicts in Taveta, followed by livestock depredation. These differed significantly between locations (P < 0.05). The key wildlife species involved were elephants, primates, bushpigs, hippopotamus and hyenas. The effects of each species differed significantly between the locations (P < 0.05). Seasonality was the main factor driving conflicts in the rainfed areas but had no effect in the irrigated zones. Elephants and Hyenas led in crop destruction and livestock depredation respectively. Most of the wildlife attacks occurred at night. Maize was the preferred crop for the top three conflict causing species. Animals preferred farms with 3-4 types of crops. Local community attitude towards conflict causing wildlife species weighed more heavily on the negative and very negative sides. The conflicts are a real challenge that requires urgent redress to safeguard local community livelihoods and enhance wildlife conservation in the district. This can partly be achieved through raising community awareness on the importance of wildlife, identifying and encouraging alternative livelihoods to farming, especially in buffer zones where conflicts are high and inculcate a positive attitude in the local communities to co-exist with wildlife. In addition, modern approaches of community engagement, multi-stakeholder and multi-participant processes will need to be applied in finding sustainable solutions to the conflicts.

Key words: Human-wildlife conflicts, Elephants, Hyenas, Tsavo-West National Park, Taveta Subcounty.