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https://allafrica.com/stories/202107160983.html Kenya: Alarm As Herders Invade Ranches, Kill Animals, Threaten to Burn Lodges 16 JULY 2021 The Nation (Nairobi) By Steve Njuguna Concerns have been raised on killing of wild animals by herders who have been invading conservancies and ranches in Laikipia County for more than a month. Ranchers and conservationists said the illegal herders pose a big threat to one of Africa's most exhilarating wilderness safari and wildlife tourism destinations. At the 57,000-acre Loisaba wildlife conservancy in Laikipia North, the management said armed herders had resorted to indiscriminately shooting at wild animals - mainly elephants - to shoo them away from water points. "Last weekend, one of the invaders speared a heavily pregnant plains zebra, leaving her paralysed," said Mr Tom Silvester, the CEO of the conservancy. Security staff said armed morans were grazing their cattle in the conservancy at night. "The morans had settled along the river with more than 3,000 head of cattle at the beginning of the month. They have been driving their cattle up to the fence around the lodge, now and then shining their torches at the guests' tents; chanting and singing in praise of their cattle," said a security manager at the conservancy. "Gunshots ring out regularly - scaring off elephants and other wildlife," the security manager added. On Monday, the management of Loisaba held talks on whether to evacuate tourists at one the lodges, which the herders had threatened to burn. "We have been holding emergency meetings to discuss whether or not to evacuate our guests," said a senior manager at the ranch. Fear of attacks The Nation learnt a number of ranchers had begun evacuating thousands of tourists from their lodges for fear of being attacked. In the past one month, thousands of heavily armed herders have been invading conservancies and private properties in the county in search of pasture and water for their cattle. Jennings farm, Laikipia Nature Conservancy, Sossian, Mugie and Suiyan are among those affected. Ranchers asked the government - through the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) - to beef up security at the privately owned conservancies to save wildlife, which guarantees huge amounts of revenue to Laikipia County every year. Laikipia County Commissioner Daniel Nyameti said a contingent of General Service Unit (GSU) and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers were deployed to the affected ranches and conservancies on Monday to flush out the herders. Stop conservancies in north to protect community lands there Last week, leaders from the region pleaded with the herders to stop invading private properties. Led by Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, Laikipia North MP Sarah Lekorere and former National Assembly Speaker Francis ole Kaparo, the leaders urged herders and ranchers to enter into emergency grazing agreements to mitigate forage deficits, conflicts and loss of livestock. Mr Ole Kaparo, who owns a ranch in the area, and Mr Sylvester said ranchers were willing and ready to sign grazing agreements with the herders. In 2017, more than 1,000 wild animals were killed in Laikipia County by poachers posing as herders. At the Sossian and Mugie ranches, more than 32 elephants were killed for their ivories during an invasion by herders. Carcasses had bullet wounds on their bodies while other animals, including the endangered Grevy's zebra, impala, hartebeest and buffaloes were targeted for meat. In Mugie ranch, the same number of elephants were killed. The ranch also lost 27 buffaloes, 40 zebras, 18 giraffes and other animals to invaders. snjuguna@ke.nationmedia.com Kathi kathi@wildtravel.net 708-425-3552 "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." | ||
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One of Us |
Wow. A perfect example of what happens when wildlife does not hold the same value as domestic stock and land is the fulcrum of both. | |||
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one of us |
Thank god for the tsetse fly. Russ Gould - Whitworth Arms LLC BigfiveHQ.com, Large Calibers and African Safaris Doublegunhq.com, Fine English, American and German Double Rifles and Shotguns VH2Q.com, Varmint Rifles and Gear | |||
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One of Us |
Absolutely! As much as we all hate them, tsetse flies are one of the greatest conservation factors across Africa. | |||
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One of Us |
There will come a time, and God forbid, when the "haves" and the "have nots" clash, violently. The one group will fight to keep what they have and what they can do against those that fight for a better deal. Alas, those fighting for a better deal cannot complete against their opponents, and will be "done away with". There doesn't seem to be any middle ground where co-existence will thrive, and as the populace grows so too does the animosity. There is equal desire on both sides for differing reasons. Understand that this is merely my opinion, but until I can see a path to co-existence, the road isn't exactly painted with yellow bricks. | |||
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Administrator |
There is an awful lot of difference between the have nots. Some would try their best, work hard, to I -rove themselves. They succeed. Some are too lazy. They sit on their sorry fat arses and want someone to pay them. Some even go as far as to demand payment from hard working people for things they never did. They call it “reparation”. | |||
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