Wildlife Conservation and Conflict Management
Human-wildlife conflicts are common in Kenya because of the high wildlife population and diversity, and also because most wildlife is found outside of protected areas. This has resulted to humans and wildlife compete over the same resources. The most common human-wildlife conflict types are:
a) Crop raiding
b) Attacks on humans
c) Livestock attack
d) Property damage
These conflicts, in the long-run have negative impacts on the livelihoods of people, who often retaliate by killing wildlife involved in the conflict thus hindering conservation efforts and may lead to the extinction of some wildlife species.
The wildlife Conservation and Management Act is the primary Kenyan legislation on wildlife conservation and management. Other regional and international treaties also form part of the laws in Kenya e.g. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES); Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS Convention) Bonn 1979; Nairobi Convention On Biological Diversity among many others.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is the agency mandated to protect, conserve and manage wildlife in Kenya. However, in spite the existence of laws governing wildlife conservation and management. Rampant wildlife conflict and poaching activities continue to thrive although it has been on the decline recently.
KELA seeks to explore the gaps in the laws and propose changes in these laws. Moreover, KELA shall institute legal suits on behalf of general public for the preservation and protection of habitat for the wildlife against wanton development activities by the government or corporations e.g. mining and oil exploration activities.