Concern over declining wild animals in Mara

Tourists enjoy a game drive in Maasai Mara Game Reserve. A workshop attended by Tourism Secretary Phyllis Kandie heard that the population of some animals had declined by up to 70 per cent because of human interference.

What you need to know:

  • Narok governor Samuel Tunai told the forum that buffalos and wild dogs have almost disappeared, while huge numbers of wildebeest no longer pass through the region on their epic migration as it was five or more years ago.
  • Animals like the Big Five, the stakeholders said during a workshop organized by cabinet secretary for Tourism Phyllis Kandie have declined by 70 per cent as they have to compete for pastures with large herds of livestock entering the reserve.

Stakeholders in the tourism sector are expressing fear of declining populations of most wild animals in Maasai Mara Game Reserve in the last three years.

Animals like the Big Five, the stakeholders said during a workshop organized by cabinet secretary for Tourism Phyllis Kandie have declined by 70 per cent as they have to compete for pastures with large herds of livestock entering the reserve.

During the workshop held at the weekend, stakeholders also pointed out at haphazard erection of lodges and camps at the reserve, which they noted has also been occupying areas meant for conservation areas.

Others animals whose population is declining include giraffe, impalas, warthogs among others.

Poachers usually enter into the reserve disguising themselves as herders.

Narok governor Samuel Tunai told the forum that buffalos and wild dogs have almost disappeared, while huge numbers of wildebeest no longer pass through the region on their epic migration as it was five or more years ago.

“It’s not business as usual for the so called 'Investors' erecting illegal structure in the park, and illegal grazing, we want to limit human activities in the Mara to safe wild life," said Mr Tunai.

The Cabinet secretary echoed the same sentiments and declared that urgent measures will be put in place in collaboration between National and county, and stakeholders to deal to prevent the tourist product from further degradation.

Ms Kandie ordered that illegal structures must stop forthwith and improving of ecosystem and upgrading of the product to a premier class upheld to rekindles the shine and bridal place the Mara has enjoyed for many years globally.

“The government will not seat back, and watch the prestige of the world famous Maasai Mara which contains the eighth wonder of the world to be eroded,’ said Ms Kandie.

However, she added that the government has embarked on an aggressive marketing strategy to ensure Kenya doubles its tourist arrival to 3 million.

“This would mean to diversify products on offer to include cultural, sport, cultural, conference, ecosystem, Medical tourism,” she added.

During the forum the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and Kenya wildlife service’s KWS were on the receiving end after they were accused of being partisan in the encroachment of the park and poaching that have seen the country lose 162 elephants and 4 rhinos.

NEMA was accused of authorising more than 30 camps to be built in the reserve without following the due process as provided by the law which the government threatened to demolish.

Already more than 200 camps, Lodges, bush camps, tented camps, and mobile camps are in existence in the reserve, with many of them build in rhino breeding areas, water points, or along the river Mara.

Despite the governor’s assertion, NEMA Director General Geoffrey Wambugu who was in the forum denied the claims.

“We have carried out an Audit report, that the owners the illegal structures in the camps have fake NEMA authorisation documents and we have taken necessary action and we want them out,” said Mr Wambugu.

The stakeholders also cited livestock of the headers community around the park are competing with wild animals for pasture in the reserve.

The availability of pasture has created a stiff competition between cattle and the herbivorous animals and without the herbivorous wildlife, the carnivorous wildlife like Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards cannot survive.

As herders graze their cattle, the attack Lions with poisoned arrows and other weapons.