Residents of Homa Bay County have been challenged to embrace wildlife and co-exist harmoniously with fauna so as to end the perennial human- wildlife conflicts in the region.
Kenya Wildlife Service Homa Bay Chief Warden Millicent Atieno speaking in her office Wednesday, said wildlife brings a lot of revenue
in terms of tourism in the country, hence need for its protection.
Atieno lamented that the local community has interfered with riparian lands by planting food crops, thus causing conflict with hippos.
“The community has also interfered with the breeding sites for hippos, while looking for the dwindling resources in Lake Victoria,” she said.
Atieno further called on the relevant authorities like NEMA and the ministry of agriculture to step up efforts to safeguard the environment.
The warden was briefing the press ahead of celebrations to mark the World Wildlife Day to be held at the Ruma National Park on March 3, 2020.
She added that the aim of the celebrations will be launching of the Roan Antelopes recovery strategy, whose number currently stands at 12 countrywide.
“Most of the species are getting extinct in the national parks due to human interference, thus affecting the ecosystem,” she said.
At the same time, Atieno appealed to members of the public to assist the government in protecting wild animals.
She further said KWS will sensitize locals to help mitigate the human wildlife conflicts and protect their property.
The warden disclosed that the theme for the occasion will be “Sustaining All Life on Earth” and it will be graced by the Tourism and Wildlife CS Najib Balala and other county officials.
By Laura Atieno and Davis Langat
