BOOST FOR KWS PROBLEM ANIMAL MANAGEMENT TEAMS

Release Date: 
Thursday, February 28, 2019 - 10:45

BOOST FOR KWS PROBLEM ANIMAL MANAGEMENT TEAMS

Kenya Wildlife Service efforts at problem animal management have been boosted by specialised training for 74 rangers.

The rangers drawn from all over the country graduated at a colourful ceremony at the KWS Law Enforcement Academy, Manyani, in Tsavo West National Park.

KWS Deputy Director Security Mr Robert Muasya presided over the closing ceremony for the four-week course sponsored by USAID, the US international development agency. A select 27 from the group has been selected for for in-depth training in snake handling.

The rangers demonstrated the skills they had gained in conflict mitigation, first aid, motorbike riding, problematic animal control and falling plate engagement (fighting the bad guys).

The training coincided with a public alert we recently issued on the ongoing dry spell being experienced in most parts of the country which has displacing wildlife from their traditional habitats in search of pasture and water. This was observed to have increased conflict as the wildlife comes into contact with the public and human activities.

As the dry spell progresses, the risk of human wildlife conflict is expected to increase until the country receives the long rains. Areas that have experienced increased incidence of human wildlife conflict in recent weeks are in Narok, Taita Taveta, Laikipia, Kajiado, Meru, Mau, Marsabit, Lamu and the Mt. Kenya region.  

The public is also advised not to set fires close to protected areas as these fires are likely going to cross over into the protected areas and further worsen the human wildlife conflict as wildlife exit to public areas.

For more information, please contact:

KWS Corporate Communications 

communications@kws.go.ke