Conservancies warn over poaching of Somali Giraffes, ostriches

KWS officers move in to translocate a giraffe from North Lake Naivasha in an exercise that has drawn condemnation from land owners in the area. They have accused KWS of failing to involve them despite feeding and protecting the animals for years. [Antony Gitonga, Standard]

Conservation groups have appealed to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to enhance the protection of Somali Giraffes and ostriches in Garissa, Wajir and Mandera counties.

North-Eastern Wildlife Conservancies Association (Neca) has written to KWS Director General Erastus Kanga to intervene and end rampant poaching of the giraffes and ostriches for their meat, part of which is smuggled to Somalia.

Neca Chief Executive Officer Sharmake Mohamed said the commercial poaching of the giraffes and ostriches, coupled with drought threatens their survival and asked KWS to enhance protective measures.

"Our field reports and investigations have revealed that giraffe meat is being sold openly in numerous villages in this landscape. This illicit trade is perpetrated by both refugees and some residents," said Mr Mohamed

"Alarmingly, it has come to our attention that a significant portion of giraffe and ostrich meat and eggs is being smuggled into Somalia, with suspicions that some of it is being funneled to Al Shabaab, while the rest is sold locally in the villages and others transported to Nairobi, particularly Eastleigh," he added.

The conservancies want KWS to strictly enforce the wildlife laws to end poaching.

"The rangers stationed in these areas are few and under-resourced, which significantly hampers their ability to carry out their duties," he said.

Mohamed said Neca, a network of community conservancies spread in the Northern region, are committed to collaborating with KWS and other stakeholders to ensure the preservation of wildlife for future generations.

In Wajir, affected areas include Sabuli conservancy at Dagaxley, near Dadaab refugee camp, Hare, Sarif and Argani.

In Garissa areas affected include Bora'ana conservancy, Gababa, Gumaray, Sangailu and Danyere while in Mandera areas prone to poaching include Darwed, Afalo and Didkuro.