Wildlife corridors in Narok under threat from fencing

Wildebeests at Sekenani area in Maasai Mara National Game Reserve .Conservancies, KWS and government officials want fencing discouraged in areas bordering the Game reserve to conserve wildlife. PHOTO: ROBERT KIPLAGAT.

NAROK: County Commissioner Arthur Osiya has raised concern over fencing of private land bordering Maasai Mara National Game Park, saying it would interfere with wildlife corridors.

He said most game ranches in Narok County had been sold off by the owners to private developers, who have since fenced them. This phenomenon, Mr Osiya said, would pose serious risk of human-wildlife-conflict.

"In order to curb this trend, conservancies should talk to local communities to ensure that they don't fence off their land so that wild animals can pass through. The national government and Kenya Wildlife Service are working towards ensuring the animals are secure," said Osiya.

Some conservationists have also vowed to come up with management plans to curb the trend after they realised it was a threat to the world-famous park.

 PASTURE PRESSURE

Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancy Chairman Daniel Sopia said poaching had increased outside the Mara reserve, where land is unprotected.

"People have started killing wildlife whenever they venture close to their lands. This is mainly because the local community has sold off large parcels that used to be part of the wildlife corridor," said Mr Sopia.

Another conservationist, Francis Ngoitoi of Mara North Conservancy, said the Maasai's livestock were in competition for pastures with wildlife. Pasture pressure on the dispersal areas had been reduced in the 17 square kilometre of Mara Game Reserve.