dc.description.abstract |
Masai Mara, a large nature reserve in south-western Kenya, was created in the midst
of semi-arid agropastoralist rangelands to protect wildlife. Wildlife and indigenous people
co-existed for many years, usually with Iimited conflict; but in recent years, the conflict has
Intensified, mainly due to Increasing human population, changing land use patterns, and
altered perceptions of wildlife. This study examines the causes and nature of wildlife-human
conflict in the Maasi rangelands of Kenya, and considers how wildlife conservation and
human development needs can best be Integrated.
Findings Indicate that common conflicts are Iivestock depredatlon and crop damage,
human deaths or Injuries, transmission of diseases, and competition for resources. Land
surrounding the reserve can be divided into two distinct topographic and agroclimatic
regions. The degree of conflict Is spatially varied within the region. Upland ranches have
high land use potential, high human and Iivestock population densities, and more
development of agriculture. They experience Iimited conflict with wildlife. Lowland ranches
are more arid, have lower human population density and Iittle agriculture, but have high
wildlife and Iivestock population densities and experience a high degree of conflict. These
conflicts vary seasonally, and with distance from the protected area.
Perceptions of wildlife and attitudes towards conservation are related to past
experience with wildlife. The degree of loss, effectiveness of damage control, fairness of
government compensation, and Involvement In wildlife tourism affect the degree of
tolerance for wildlife conflict. Various socio-economic factors Including level of education,
knowledge of conservation priorities, and system of land ownership are related to attitudes
towards wildllfe. As human activity increases in the region, wildlife is more IIkely to be
dlsplaced. Because most animais are mlgratory, conflict ln the land surroundlng the reserve
puts the vlabllity of animai population ln the protected area in question.
A Iwo-phase pr:lgram for Integrating wlldlife conservation wlth human needs Is
proposed. The tlrat phase Involves deslgnatlon of the reglon Into four zones: Zone A - the
protected area, Zone B -the peripheral area, Zone C - multiple usa, and Zone 0 - agriculture.
The second phase of the program Is the Integration of the wlldllfe conservation wlth human
Interests through: community wildlife-damage-control, compensation for 1055, sharing of
tourism benefits with local people, conservation education, and local participation in wildlife
conservation policy. The program provides a framework within which operational decisions
can be made, and serves broader natural resource management and community
development objectives ln the rangelands• |
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