Baboons in the wild.[Photo/Lindell Photography]
Concerns have been raised over the killing of baboons on the Norther Corridor.
At least 15 baboons are killed every day dealing a major blow to Kenya’s tourism.
According to stakeholders, public service vehicles are the lead cause of deaths of the primates.
George Kibanya, from Conserve the Baboon campaign initiative, said areas along Limuru-Mai Mahiu-Naivasha-Gilgil highway where the animals live are the most affected.
“Some of these speeding vehicles are commercial PSVs and motorcycles meant to use the upper route through Kwa Mbira, Kijabe and Fly Over,” he said.
He urged the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to work together and put up signages to warn drivers of the presence of wild animals.
“We appeal to the KWS to contain the baboons which attack people in search of food as reported recently in some parts of the country, while at the same time restraining people who kill baboons for food and rituals,” he said.
“Harming baboons erodes our foreign exchange-earning capacity, considering that there are tourists who visit Kenya to see our baboon species,” he said. “We will continue fighting for the welfare of baboons, ensuring we rescue them from human harm,” he added.