KWS in massive operation to drive back stray jumbos

By Renson Mnyamwezi

Taita-Taveta, Kenya: Kenya Wildlife Service was on Monday forced to use ground and air operation to drive away about 500 elephants that invaded human settlements at Maktau location in Taita-Taveta County.

The marauding jumbos had broken out of Tsavo West National Park and Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and invaded Maktau location in Mwatate District for the last two days.

 Residents said they destroyed hundreds of acres of crops such as pawpaws, cowpeas and cassava among other crops.

 “We were forced to use ground and air operation to drive to the park elephants that invaded people’s settlements. No casualty has so far been reported in the area,” said Taita Community Wildlife Warden Samuel Rukaria on Monday.

Human-wildlife conflict

Speaking to The Standard after the operation, which took several hours including use of aircraft, the warden asked the local community to report wildlife invasion to the relevant authorities for action.

“There is need to cultivate a good working relationship with the communities bordering the parks. Good working relationship will enable the wildlife conservation body to address persistent human-wildlife conflict in the region,” said Mr Rukaria.

A large population of wildlife like elephants move out of the park to settlement areas in search of water and pasture. Other sources indicate that on-going poaching activities was forcing elephants out of the parks.

Rukaria said the completion of the ongoing Sh120 million Maktau-Kishushe-Ndii and Maktau-Bura-Alia-Kasigau electric fences would provide a lasting solution to the wildlife menace in the region.

Briefing the press at the sanctuary, the warden said a committee comprising of KWS personnel, the local community among other stakeholders had been formed to oversee the quick implementation of the project.

Electric fence project

“We have already signed a memorandum of understanding with the local community to facilitate the implementation of the electric fence project which is on-going,” he confirmed.

He said once completed, the project would boost food security in the region as there will be less invasion of farms by the animals.

Rukaria at the same time said KWS had also constructed several water panes and wells in the Tsavo Conservation Area to ensure the wildlife stay in the park.

The invasion comes at a time when the government is still grappling with persistent human wildlife conflict in the region.

 In the Tsavo Conservation Area, elephant attacks lead with 1,300 cases reported 2009.