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Drought worsens human-wildlife conflicts in Kenya: official

Xinhua, February 7, 2015 Adjust font size:

The current dry spell has worsened human-wildlife conflicts in the Kenyan rangelands, wildlife officials said on Friday.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Acting Director, William Kiprono, said wild animals have engaged in vicious competition with communities over water and pasture as drought engulfs the country's savannah.

"Many parts of Kenya are experiencing extreme dry weather and the situation has fuelled human-wildlife conflicts. Recently, an elephant encroached into a homestead in Kajiado county and killed one person," Kiprono told reporters in Nairobi.

Kenya's meteorological department on Wednesday said most parts of the country will experience a dry spell until mid March when the rainy season begins. It also warned of a bleak food and water situation in the arid and semi-arid counties.

Wildlife habitats have borne the brunt of prolonged dry spell in Kenya. Kiprono revealed there has been an exodus of wild animals from the parks into human settlements as drought escalates.

"Foliage and water have declined in the rangelands and the scenario bodes ill for ecological balance. In addition, there has been a spike in wildfires across wildlife protected areas," he said, adding the wildlife agency has initiated a raft of measures to minimize human-wildlife conflicts in this dry season.

Kiprono disclosed the agency will construct new water pans in wildlife sanctuaries and establish barriers to reduce contact between animals and humans.

"We have mapped hotspots and deployed rangers to respond to human-wildlife conflicts. In addition, we are in the process of recruiting community wildlife scouts to help monitor wildlife movements to pre-empt conflict with communities in this dry season, " said the director.

Charles Musyoki, head of species management at KWS, said severe droughts and flooding have decimated wildlife population in Kenya.

"Kenya's wildlife habitats are situated in the savannah where climatic vagaries are profound. Prolonged drought threatens both herbivores and carnivores," Musyoki told Xinhua. Endi