Influence of kenya wildlife conservation Education Program on reducing human wildlife conflict

Abstract

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is fast becoming a critical threat to the survival of many globally endangered species. Human-wildlife conflicts can have adverse impacts on wildlife and humans alike. Recently, there have been deplorable reports in the local and international press of human wildlife conflicts around wildlife protected areas in Kenya. Kenya wildlife Service is in-charge of wildlife conservation and management of protected areas has taken proactive approach to regularly evaluate status and threats of these areas. Strategies and linkages with key wildlife stakeholders have been identified to deal with these challenges facing wildlife conservation (Okello & Kiringe, 2004).This study sought to determine the Influence of Kenya wildlife conservation education program on reducing human wildlife conflict with focus to Kenya Wildlife Service conservation education program. The descriptive survey research design was used in this study. This research design was appropriate for the study because it was used to determine the influence of Community wildlife strategies in reducing Human wildlife Conflict in Kenya with reference to KWS conservation education program. The target population composed of 328 respondent drawn from staff of KWS education department, staff at education center in the field , teachers from school that visit these centers and community leaders . Stratified proportionate random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 99 respondents. Questionnaires was administered to the respondent through drop and pick method. A descriptive approach to data analysis was used to analyze collected data on the impact of most preferred community-based conservation strategies on reducing human wildlife conflict. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used as a tool for data analysis and the results was presented in form of tables and percentages. The study found that wildlife conservation strategy, extension services, conservation education, community participation, affects human wildlife conflict in Kenya. The government involve all the stakeholders in the development of policies on Human/wildlife conflict which would make the conservation program successful; the government grant landowners use rights and cropping quotas; The government should embrace wildlife conservation programs by setting up a special branch in the ministry of tourism which would deal with wildlife conservation program; The academic institutions should include wildlife conservation in their curriculum which would increase community awareness; and that the KWS involve qualified personnel in the program which would ensure that the activities are professionally handled hence success.