Elephants, the largest land animals, are majestic creatures. But farmers see them as lumbering pests. Human-wildlife conflict in Kenya is becoming a bigger threat to elephants than poachers.
WHEN ELEPHANTS AND PEOPLE COLLIDE
On the Kenyan side of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park is home to more than 1600 elephants. Yet the park itself is only large enough to sustain several hundred. The rest migrate through private conservancies and the expanding commercial farms springing up along a new highway linking Kenya and Tanzania, foraging for food and trampling farmers’ tomato and corn fields.
As the elephants ply their ancient migratory routes, conflict is inevitable.
Watch NTV Kenya’s piece by Sheila Sendeyo and Robert Gichiru “Man Versus Elephant” showcasing the conflict between man and elephant in Amboseli
After a young Maasai cattle herder was killed by an elephant near a watering hole, his friends responded by spearing five elephants just outside Amboseli Park. KWS vets rushed to save and patch up the casualties. A week earlier, they had treated Kenya’s biggest pachyderm, seven ton Tim, who approached them with a spear stuck in his ear.
After dark, Tim and his all male elephant posse forage for forbidden fruit in the farmers’ fields outside Amboseli. Big Life rangers try to scare them away with fireworks and pepper guns.
Not everyone sees elephants as a threat . Katitu Soayailel fell in love with them on her daily walks to school. Elephant research is now her life’s work, and she can identify hundreds by name and their unique markings.
Website by Appropriate. Photos by Andrew Tkach.