Understanding how land-use change in the Trans-Mara District, Kenya is driving human-elephant conflict and elephant movement

The Trans-Mara District (2,900 km²) in Narok County, Kenya, neighbours the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve and is an important dispersal area for elephants (Loxodonta africana) and other wildlife. Wildlife are... [ view full abstract ]

The Trans-Mara District (2,900 km²) in Narok County, Kenya, neighbours the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve and is an important dispersal area for elephants (Loxodonta africana) and other wildlife. Wildlife are attracted to the area due to Nyekweri Forest, which holds important resources, including salt licks. The Mara and Trans-Mara are linked by >25 natural pathways which enable seasonal migration of elephants. However, unlike the Masai Mara, the Trans-Mara is unprotected and is experiencing high levels of habitat transformation through land clearing and charcoal burning. The area has high agricultural potential and a growing human population. Encroachment of agricultural land has destroyed and fragmented elephant habitat and increased conflict with local farmers, predominantly through crop raiding. To inform management and mitigation of this conservation problem, this project aims to: (1) quantify land-use and land-cover change within the last 30 years in the Trans-Mara; (2) determine spatial and seasonal trends of human-elephant conflict in the Trans-Mara, including comparing patterns of human-elephant conflict and land-use change with data collected 15 years ago; (3) assess the factors determining elephant movements along key pathways between the Masai Mara and Trans-Mara; and (4) determine the impact of forest loss on elephant and human populations. Since May 2014, methods including land-use change modelling, elephant sign surveys, camera trapping, human-elephant monitoring, charcoal burning mapping and remote sensing have been used in pursuit of these aims. This research should inform management and mitigation of human-elephant conflict in the Trans-Mara district.