The wildlife in Kenya was untouched until over 80 years ago. When the exploration of the wildlife here started, there was a 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 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. It 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.
The fauna has also improved. The number of lions and the critically endangered Hirola antelope rising from 48 in 2012 to over 100 in 2016.
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.
The Olerai Conservancy
It’s believed that over 65 percent of the wildlife in Africa lives in areas that belong to the community. This conservancy looks and making sure the community offers for space to the to the protection of wildlife n the Masai Mara. In the year 2017, over 20 and owner offered the conservancy ownership of their land to the Masai Mara conservation area. It’s believed that they lease over 1,361 acres of land to this conservancy. Olerai is a Maasai name for the Yellow barked acacia. There are wildlife friendly activities that are run here to help support the conservancy like horseback riding.
Visit Masai Mara in Kenya with these recommended Kenya tour operators or drop us an inquiry below to book your safari in Kenya directly through this website.
