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 ns poaching.
The establishment of conservancies in the region has been attempted as a result of these causes. An area under private landowners’ or cooperative or community organizations’ management with the intention of advancing conservation is called a conservancy.
It’s interesting to note that more than 65 percent of Kenya’s wildlife is found on community-owned land. This benefits most communities by allowing them to maintain their standard of living while simultaneously protecting the environment. The Kenyan animals Act recognizes the transfer of animals to community conservancies.
Giving the community control over Kenya’s wildlife conservation initiatives will also serve as a motivator to raise community members’ standard of living. The Masai Mara National Park contains more than 15 conservancies covering more than 450,000 acres of land. The community benefits from the conservancies annually to the tune of about $4 million.
There has also been improvement of wildlife from the number of lions to the endangered Hirola antelope. This is from just 48 in the year 2012 to over 100 in 2016 when the last census was conducted.
Since the community is forced to profit from the positive aspects of the wildlife trade, namely tourism, their involvement in the area’s conservation efforts also lessens their involvement in the illicit wildlife trade. It is recommended that you visit the conservancies to help the locals, who will in turn help to preserve the wildlife in the Masai Mara region.
Olderkesi Conservancy
This reserve is located north of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and just next to the Masai Mara. Olderkesi Wildlife Community Trust (OCWCT) and Cottar’s Wildlife reserve Trust (CWCT) collaborate to maintain the reserve.Offering sustainable conservation has been the main focus of this trust’s relationship for more than 20 years. The Masai community who live nearby owns the conservancy.
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