| dc.description.abstract | Military training is becoming a lucrative land use option in Laikipia County but there is little information on the effects of training on wildlife distribution and abundance. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of military training on wildlife distribution and abupdance of wildlife at Mpala Ranch and the effects of the same on the socio-economics of Laikipia residents. Wildlife data were collected through wildlife surveys, military traffic data was
collected by manual counts while socio-economic data was collected by means of questionnaires. Ranch owners (n = 11) and local community members (n = 106) from three communities were interviewed.
This study focused on six study species, namely; Guenther's dik-dik (Madoqua guentherii, impala (Aepyceros melampus), Plains zebra (Equus quagga), Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi), Reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata), and the African elephant (Loxodonta cfricanai. Research findings indicate that there were no significant effects of training on the density distribution of Guenther's dik-dik (F3,20 = 0.63, ns), impala (F 3,20 = 0.91, ns), Plains
zebra (F3,20 = 10.51, ns), and Grevy's zebra (F3,20 == 1.98, ns). However, training had significant effect on the density distribution of Reticulated giraffe (F3,20 = 5.30, P < 0.05) and the African elephant (F3,20 = 0.02, P < 0.05). It was not confirmed whether this poses a conservation threat to their populations at the ecosystem level. Further investigation is therefore needed
Training activities did not significantly affect the distribution and abundance of any of the study species within 1 km buffer of the watering points within the tracing area. Vehicular traffic significantly affected the distribution and abundance of Plains zebra (t (6) = 3.66, p < 0.(5) within the 0 - 100m buffer ofthe road and that of dik-dik (I (8) = 2.32, p < 0.05) within the 100 - 200 m buffer of the same road. The rest of the studyspecies were not significantly
affected. On the socio-economic aspects, most (66.7%, n = 3) of army hosting properties would not be economically viable without the revenue from the army. Therefore, it may be argued that the army helps in securing 'protected land' for wildlife on the ranches where they train.
Noise disturbance from helicopters and bombs, littering and non-adherence to the norms of hosting properties were the major complaints against the army. Noise pollution causes loss of business to tourism enterprises but it has not led to, a reduction in the number of tourists visiting Laikipia County. The number oftourists visiting has been increasing over pte years (Laikipia Wildlife Forum, 2012).Seventy two percent (n = 106) of community members bordering training areas are tolerant to military activities but would appreciate more development initiatives. Eighty two percent (n = 1 I) of ranchers interviewed believe that military training can be managed in a maqner to be harmonious with biodiversity conservation and wildlife based tourism in the County.
This study concludes that military training activities:
1) do not permanently displace wildlife from the training area;
2) do not displace wildlife from watering points in the training area;
3) military vehicular traffic significantly affects the distribution and abundance of dik-dik and Plains zebra along the roadsides; and
4) noise and light pollution negatively affects tourism in Laikipia.
It is thus recommended that: 1) the military stick to designated flight paths,
2) train with explosives in the day to minimize noise disturbance,
3) BATUK come up with a cooperate social responsibility program for those communities which are adversely affect by their training activities as a means of compensation for inconveniences caused, and
4) more | en_US |
