Biodiversity and Conservation

Biography

Biography: Nyumba Tobias Ochieng

Abstract

Increasing elephant population coupled with the rapid human population growth and the expansion of agricultural land has escalated human-elephant conflict (HEC) in Trans Mara district (TM). TM is an important elephant dispersal area for elephant population in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Using participatory techniques, focus group discussions, field-based conflict monitoring, key informant interviews and questionnaire surveys, we examined the history of HEC, its development over the years, magnitude, nature and types, and local strategies to mitigate its impacts in TM. Elephant range significantly declined between 2003 and 2013. However, elephant population increased between 1997 and 2007. Crop damage, general disturbance, threats to human life and disruption of daily activities were the most serious types of HEC. Human deaths and injuries resulted in children dropping out of school or missing some years of school (38.5%, n=5). There was a significant difference in the impacts of HEC on gender groups (X^2(N=367) =212.956, p<0.001) and stakeholders (X^2(N=367) =599.222, p<0.001).  There was no significant difference in the severity of crop damage (X²=14.066, df=12, p=0.296), but it significantly differed among commercial and subsistence farmers (X²=15.741, df=6, p=0.015). Although traditional techniques were the most preferred mitigation techniques, they were generally not effective. Uptake of farm-based techniques had generally declined with the conclusion of the WWF supported farm-based conflict mitigation project in 2003. The present situation is likely to worsen unless measures are put in place to reduce rapid loss of elephant habitat, improve conflict mitigation, and conservation education and awareness strategies