KWS raises concern as hyenas castrate buffaloes in Aberdares

Members of the public cart away the head of a buffalo that had strayed into Longonot Township Primary school in Naivasha. [File, Standard] The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has raised concern over the number of buffalo being castrated daily by hyenas in the Aberdare forest. According to the wildlife agency, currently, the hyenas pose the biggest threat to the buffalo population as they cannot procreate, thus affecting the current figures. The agency noted that cases of human-wildlife were on the rise, with the Tsavos, Mara, Kajiado, and Laikipia being the most affected. According to KWS Director-General Dr Erastus Kanga, tens of buffaloes had been castrated by hyenas in the last couple of months, rendering them unproductive. While seeking scientific ways of dealing with the hyenas, he noted that the new phenomena posed a major threat to the current numbers of buffalo in the vast ecosystem. "The hyenas that cannot bring down buffaloes are going for the low-lying scrotum in the process, castrating the animals," he said. Speaking at Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) in Naivasha, Kanga said that they were working with stakeholders to address the rising challenges facing wildlife conservation. "We need to start doing research and look at how artificial intelligence and technology can be able to help us not only mitigate, but prevent these human rights conflicts," he said. On his part, WRTI Director Dr Patrick Omondi said that the institute, with the stakeholders, had completed the national wildlife census, with the final results expected next month. He termed the exercise as successful, adding that the researchers were working on the data with the results expected in the next scientific conference in Naivasha. "We have agreed that we'll take the lead on the national census in collaboration with KWS, and next week we'll be analyzing and interpreting the results to update the 2021 results," he said. Omondi, at the same time, said that they were working with government geologists to study the rising water levels in various lakes in the Rift Valley. He termed the rise as abnormal as the levels were going up even during dry seasons, adding that they needed to understand what was driving the rising water level, as it was now continuous. "Before, this phenomenon was happening after 30 years, but now it's occurring throughout, and it will require different experts to nail down what is leading to this for proper planning of development," he said.

KWS raises concern as hyenas castrate buffaloes in Aberdares

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KWS raises concern as hyenas castrate buffaloes in Aberdares

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