Police with the help of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers have recovered three zebras and 12 antelopes that escaped from Saiwa National Park on Tuesday.
The animals that had been relocated from Delta Crescent owned by former Saboti Member of Parliament, Daves Nakitare to boost tourism at the park were taken to Mt. Elgon National park.
The Trans Nzoia county Police Commander (CPC), Ayub Ali, told the press in his office in Kitale that the animals were delivered to the park on Tuesday but jumped over the fence and escaped two days later.
However, he said that the three Zebras were traced and recovered at Goseta area before being moved to Mt. Elgon National Park.
According to the CPC, the animals had been relocated to Saiwa National Park from a private wildlife sanctuary in an exercise carried out by the KWS before jumping fence.
The relocation is happening at the time professionals from Cherangany Constituency have launched a campaign to conserve Saiwa National Park, the home of the endangered rare aquatic antelope locally known as Sitatungas.
Residents through the Nyumbani Kumi Initiative launched an annual 7 km walk last month to raise funds towards the conservation efforts.
The launch was officiated by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairman, Wafula Chebukati.
Speaking to KNA on phone Monday, Paul Kurgat, a member of the group said the conservation and protection of the Sitatungas would boost revenue for the betterment of the local community.
Kurgat noted that wildlife and human conflict is denying the park revenue, adding that the campaign is also targeting to find a lasting solution to the problem.
“Our target is to spring up resources towards conserving the park. We want to ensure the park is safeguarded and the wildlife /human conflicts tackled,” he said.
By Pauline Ikanda
