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Wildlife Protection

 

 

 

In protection of wildlife our major goal is to combat wildlife extinction not only of the big and majestic species like the elephants and the black rhinos but also all other species. The black rhinoceros on Mt. Kenya has been poached to extinction while the elephant population is declining alarmingly due to poaching for its tusks. The rhinos were poached, for their horns, to extinction with the last few individuals surviving till perhaps in late 1980s. Population of other species is decreasing significantly due to bush meat poaching, retaliation killings and loss of habitat. To a larger extent bush meat thrives due to high levels of poverty witnessed among people neighboring the forest reserve and more so the squatter population settled along the forest boundary. These were former forest farmers evicted from the forest.

 

 
Our approach to wildlife protection include:
 
  • Environmental and Conservation education: the aim of this is to make the community and the public be aware of the need to protect and conserve wildlife and other natural resources.
  • Protection and restoring wildlife habitats: Conserving habitats is important because when habitats are threatened, so are the animals that live there. Protecting and restoring the habitats on which wildlife including birds depend for their survival, is one of our important approaches to conservation of wildlife.
  • Creating Bio-Corridors: creating of Bio-Corridors which would connect places with the most valuable biodiversity in and around Mt. Kenya. To achieve this we shall work with all relevant stakeholders including land owners with a view to opening up wildlife corridors. Of particular importance is reconnecting Mt. Kenya and Aberdares ecosystems.
  • Community Nature Corps: Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum shall recruit community nature corps called Mt. Kenya Nature Corps. The nature corps works in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Kenya Forest Service (KFS) rangers to patrol the forest, remove snares, confiscate illegal timber and dismantle poacher's camps. The corps also collect intelligence information that assist in apprehending and prosecuting poachers. The overall responsibility of Community Nature Corps is to protect wildlife and its habitats including other natural resources such as water and forest resources.
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