On the 18th of November, Hivisasa published an article that called out the scourge of bushmeat hunting and the devastation it is causing to the Naivasha wildlife scene, which is a big job provider for locals in the area. This article is a follow-up of the original story; the aim here is to showcase the work that organizations in Kenya are doing to combat bushmeat hunting and its root causes.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has classified bushmeat hunting as a significant threat to the wildlife population in the country. The menace is fuelled by increasing human population, poverty, unemployment, prolonged drought, and uncontrolled access to forest wildlife. Over the years, KWS has rolled out several measures in a bid to tame the vice.
Back in 2004, through a government order, the service banned the sale of bushmeat in local restaurants.Despite the ban, cases of illegal bushmeat are on the rise with dealers inventing new ways of selling the meat. In 2019, at least 1 tonne of bushmeat has been impounded by the Kenya Wildlife Service along the Nairobi -Naivasha highway alone.Among the essential measures taken by KWS is working with local communities to address the illegal vice.
The community is educated on the importance of keeping wildlife alive, which includes the positive economic impact to Kenyan communities of having these animals as demonstrated by research from the African Wildlife Foundation; as well as sensitization on the dangers of eating bush meat. Some of these measures have been deployed in the Naivasha area, but the problem persists, with dealers devising new mechanisms to beat the system.
The fight against bushmeat hunting has also attracted nonprofit organizations like the Africa Network for Animal Awareness (ANAW). The Nairobi based organization raises awareness about the devastating effects of bushmeat hunting in critical wildlife dispersal areas near and outside of wildlife protected areas, including conserved community areas.
ANAW attempts to achieve its objectives through rescuing animals trapped with wire snares and injured by the same in various known hotspots for bushmeat hunting in Naivasha and Nakuru environs, Machakos and Taita Taveta areas. ANAW and local stakeholders rescue giraffes, zebras, eland, impala, and hartebeests, among other wildlife trapped by wire snares.
Despite implementing these measures, the ANAW team faces the challenge of uncooperative community members. Communities living next to restricted areas have been identified as critical stakeholders to taming the vice.
On the Kenyan Coast, the Amara Conservancy has taken a different approach in taming bushmeat hunting at Tsavo National Park. The organization has donated a pickup to help get a new de-snaring team up and running in Tsavo.
Furthermore, Amara is at the forefront, supporting the capacity of community scouts to improve bushmeat patrols, working with local community members to develop alternative livelihoods, and carrying out bushmeat sensitization meetings.Although there is progress in taming bushmeat hunting, the problem persists based on the latest statistics.
To reduce illegal bushmeat harvesting, there is a need for adopting multifaceted approaches that include understanding bushmeat dynamics, intensifying patrols, legal and policy framework, education, and alternative livelihoods.