dc.description.abstract | The utilization of bush meat has been part of human diets as far back as the Stone Age or
hunter/gatherers period. Over t he years bush meat has moved from being a traditional
diet! protein supplement to more of a commercial product obtained using sophisticated
and unsustainable hunting weapons and techniques such as wire snaring. Snaring
involves the use of nooses made from wires obtained from discarded tyres, telephone
line wires, and towrope cables, fence wires or from wires purchased from shops to trap
wildlife.
In Kenya wildlife snaring occurs in both protected and unprotected areas such as Nairobi
National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Tsavo National Park, Ruma National
Park, Mt. Kenya National Park, K edong ranch and D elamere Farm inN aivasha, Lake
Nakuru National Park, Kasigau and Sagala Ranches in Taita Taveta and communal lands
and wildlife dispersal areas such as Kitengela, Machakos and Mau Narok among other
areas.
Snaring targets various species from birds and small mammals such as duiker and dik dik
to the larger animals such as deer, gazelles, hippos, buffalos and elephants. This study
investigated the extent of snaring for bush meat in Kenya using Ruma National Park as a
case study. The objectives of the study were to determine wildlife snaring intensities in
the different regions of the park, to identify the snaring hotspots and establish factors that
influence their location and to assess the relationship between snaring activities and the
availability of target species. Hypotheses used to guide the study included no difference
between the snaring densities in the different geographical areas of the park, no
significant relationship between snaring activities and the presence or absence of target
species, and snaring location not influenced by habitat types
Data were collected on snare numbers, animal numbers and habitat type and were
sourced in the field, from KWS data stores and from Youth for Conservation Ruma
National Park desnaring reports 2003 and 2004. The data collected were subjected to
various statistical analysis both descriptive and inferential as well as to spatial analysis
method.
The results of the data analysis indicated that snaring in different areas of the park was
influenced by various factors, prominent of which were revealed to be animal numbers
and vegetation cover types. The study provides recommendations on policy and
management and on areas for further research. Key recommendations are intensified
desnaring and security patrols; setting up security camps on snaring hotspots; constant
monitoring of animal movements; and initiating socio economic activities compatible
with wildlife conservation. | en_US |