| dc.description.abstract | This study was carried out in Magadi area which is in the northern part of Kajiado District, Rift Valley Province. The purpose was to provide a community perspective on the nature of human wildlife conflict, economic costs and how the problem can be managed. The study was done through administration of, questionnaires in eleven settlement clusters, selected using systematic random sampling method. A total of
222 respondents were interviewed.
The study found that Human wildlife conflict in Magadi manifests itself in form of livestock depredation, crop damage, property damage, human death, human injury and disruption of social life. The hyena was the most problematic conflict species bursting the myth that the elephant is always the most destructive species. Livestock depredation was attributed to the hyena and crop damage to porcupine, monkey and bushbuck.
More conflict cases were reported during the dry season than wet season but the difference was not statistically significant. Local people recognised the difference in importance of various human wildlife conflict causal factors; they considered increasing wildlife numbers and lack of incentives to landowners as the most important causal factors.
The cost of human wildlife conflict in Magadi in 2005 was estimated at Ksh. 5,447,720 (US $ 82,541). This cost is the burden the people bear for hosting wildlife on their land. The people consider the performance of KWS in conflict management to be below average. More collaboration with the local community in conflict management may help to uplift this rating
There was a significant difference in the way the community perceives conflict management strategies. The people preferred employment of more rangers and wardens by KWS but also regulation of land use by the government. People were
strongly opposed to opening of parks and shooting of problem animals; meaning that they still have value for them inasmuch as they suffer serious wildlife damage.
The study concludes that there are no silver bullet solutions for resolving human wildlife conflict. However, prudent planning of land use in order to accommodate the competing land uses and putting in place mechanisms for provision of tangible benefits to communities are key considerations in ensuring harmonious co-existence between wildlife and people.
Among other things, the study recommends the establishment of a compensation insurance scheme; formation of conflict management and monitoring structures; removal of barriers and cartels in the tourism industry to enable local people to genuinely benefit from wildlife; implementation of local land zoning plans; completion of national land use and wildlife policy formulation; training of local community in livestock husbandry and farming methods that help reduce conflicts and upgrading of the KWSNguruman outpost into a full station, | en |
