Wild animals succumb to biting famine

By Anthony Gitonga

Hundreds of wild animals in the expansive Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha face starvation as famine ravages.

Several animals have died in the park and surrounding areas due to lack of pasture.

Rivers Njoro, Makalia and Nderit, which were the main sources of fresh water to the park, have dried up.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) warden in charge of the park Nelly Palmeris said zebra, giraffes and buffaloes were the most affected.

She said KWS is providing the animals with drinking water, a move that had seen tens of wild animals that ventured outside the park to return. "It has not rained for the last few months and just like other sectors and areas, the drought has adversely affected us," said Ms Palmeris.

Assistant warden Lilian Aberi said majority of the animals seek shelter under bushes to escape the sweltering heat.

"We have also experienced death among some wild animals while others are not giving birth due to the prolonged drought," said Ms Aberi.

Visiting tourists

Despite the drought, the number of tourists visiting the park had shot up by 30 per cent in the last two months.

A similar situation has been reported the Lake Nakuru where three rivers supplying animals with fresh water have dried up.

KWS officials at the park said the situation was bad and wildlife was straying into residential areas in search of water and pasture.

A borehole that was sunk inside the park to provide the wildlife with water was slowly drying up.

KWS assistant director Anne Kahihia said: "We have to wait for hours before the water reaches the surface."

KWS started watering animals from troughs more than five years ago when local rivers began drying up.

Meanwhile, commercial cereal farmers want the Government to introduce contract farming to protect them from losses.

They also want the reintroduction of guaranteed minimum returns method of compensation, which collapsed three decades ago.

Contract farming, they said, would restore confidence in farming and arrest the shift from farming into other activities.

"At this moment of crisis, what farmers need is structural assurance against losses through the contract farming system," said Sila Tiren, a farmer’s representative.

Under the system the Government would be expected to agree with farmers over quantities to be produced ahead of the planting season and guarantee to cushion farmers against losses in case of crop failure.

 

 

Read all about: famine hunger Hell’s Gate National Park Naivasha Kenya Wildlife Service KWS Lake Nakuru

 

 

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