Human-wildlife conflict declines, as animals return to park

By Renson Mnyamwezi

Cases of human-wildlife conflict have reduced following the El Nino rains in Taita-Taveta District.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) personnel said the large population of wildlife that had strayed into people’s settlement had gone back to the Tsavo National Park.

"Cases of wildlife conflict have reduced due to replenishment of watering points for wildlife in the park," said Assistant Director in charge of the Tsavo Conservation area Jonathan Kirui.

Speaking to The Standard on Wednesday, he said the rains had brought relief to the animals, with majority having gone back to their habitat.

Tsavo East and West lost more than 120 elephants and 80 hippos in drought-related deaths.

Many wild animals had moved out of the park, escalating conflict in areas bordering the park.

More than 330 cases of conflict were reported between January and September. Out of these, 291 had been attended to by the KWS.

The region is one of the worst hit by conflict considering that 62 per cent of land is occupied by Tsavo National Park.