Man, elephant co-existence key for ecological balance

The increase of the number of protected animals being hunted down and killed for their parts has drawn focus to the wild and prompted official measures to combat poaching — efforts that have been intensified of late.

In Kenya, the causes of species loss have varied through time and include hunting, pollution, invasive species, habitat loss and climate change. These, mirror threats to animal species around the world. Kenya, has however, made significant progress in reducing some of these threats, and helping some species recover. Locally, one of the most endangered animals is the elephant. Reports indicate that an elephant can live up to 70 years without human interference. Yet, they face extinction due to poaching.