Government to train more rangers to address wildlife-human conflicts

Community Rangers at the Amboseli National Park, during the cerebrations to mark the International World Rangers day at Imbirikani in Kajiado. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

The government should train more community rangers to reduce wildlife-human conflict within the parks.

According to Mr Joseph Dadacha, Senior Assistant Director of the Southern conservation area, human-wildlife conflict remains a big challenge within the national parks and conservancy.

However, with the formation of community park rangers, conflicts have been reduced by a big margin within various parks such as Amboseli National Park and Tsavo National Park.

Speaking during this year's World Rangers Day held at Imbirikani area in Kajiado South Sub-County, Dadacha said rangers are always on the front line in the fight to protect the natural heritage.

''Rangers are known to provide contact between the national park authority, local people, the tourists, the government needs to train more of these rangers as a way to reduce the conflicts,'' said the director

He said without the rangers, conflicts will always increase leading to the death of animals and the people living near the parks.

Benard Mbenda, Kenya Wildlife Services Director of Infrastructure said World Ranger Day offers a chance to support their vital work, which ranges from environmental campaigning to education.

This day is also an opportunity to pay tribute to rangers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

World Ranger Day is celebrated to commemorate rangers who have been injured or killed in the line of duty.

It also celebrates the work that Rangers do around the world to protect cultural heritage and natural treasures.

According to Dr John Kioko, World Wide Fund (WWF) coordinator for the Amboseli Chyulu sub landscape, the organization has facilitated 40 community rangers in receiving refresher training (Standard Operating Procedures level training and Human Rights).

''112 community rangers have so far received specialists in training crime scene management to reduce the number of cases lost in court due to unsubstantial evidence'' said Kioko.

He said in Nasaru Olosho Conservancy, 21 rangers are being supported through food rations, rangers' equipment, field running of 4 motorbikes, and camping gear.

''In addition, WWF has donated 30 Camera Traps and other rangers' equipment within the critical Kitenden - Kitirua Wildlife Corridor to assist rangers in monitoring wildlife distribution and curbing poaching incidences," he said.

Erick Ole Karama, of Elephant Garden Camp Amboseli, also applauded the work done by the community rangers saying they deserve more training, to maintain the relationship between humans and wild animals.

"The rangers are doing a tremendous job in this region, we need to empower them with every tool of trade so that they can perform well. During the event, 17 rangers who are said to have been injured by wild animals were awarded," said Karama.