The wildlife in Kenya was untouched until over 80 years ago. When the exploration of the wildlife here started, there was rapid loss of the wildlife. Over the last 70 years, Kenya has lost over 30 percent of its wildlife due to many factors. Some of the factors are due to climate change while others are to human activity and poaching.
It is due to these factors that there have been efforts to set up conservancies in the area. A conservancy is an area managed by private land owners or cooperate or community bodies.
It’s fascinating that’s over 65 percent of the wildlife in Kenya lives in the land owned by the community. This also helps most communities to earn a living while conserving the environment. The entrusting of wildlife to the community conservancies is recognized by the wildlife act in Kenya.
Giving the community control over Kenya’s wildlife conservation initiatives is another way to encourage them to enhance the quality of life for local residents. With more than 450,000 acres of land, the Masai Mara National Park is home to more than 15 conservancies. Each year, the conservancies contribute more than $4 million to the community.
The wildlife has also improved. During the most recent census in 2016, there were over 100 Hirola antelope, an endangered species. This is compared to just 48 in 2012.
As a result of being forced to profit from the positive aspects of the wildlife trade—tourism—community involvement in conservation initiatives also serves to diminish community involvement in the illicit wildlife trade. To help the local community and so contribute to the preservation of the wildlife in the Masai Mara region, it is recommended that you visit the conservancies.
Ol Kinyei Conservancy
Founded in 2005, Ol Kinyei is a pioneering and award-winning conservancy in the Mara eco-system covering an area of 18, 641 acres. The conservancy is a partnership between 177 local private landowners and four tourism parties. Since the inception of the Conservancy, many indigenous species have returned to the land. The Conservancy is now home to a wide variety of wildlife including resident pride of lions, leopards, and numerous other animals as well as over 300 species of bird.
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