Mount Kenya Fence Project, Kenya
Mount Kenya National Reserve is home to an estimated 2000 elephants, as well as other endangered species such as rhino, and leopard. The natural resources here, as well as the biodiversity, are among the most important in Kenya. Due to close proximity to human settlements, there is an increasing level of human-wildlife conflict experienced along the boundary of the Reserve, which has led to death in some cases.
To address the conflict in the area, the Bill Woodley Mount Kenya Trust, with
the support of IFAW and other conservationists, is moving forward with a solar
fencing project. Communities living on the boundary of the Reserve will benefit
from reduced levels of crop-raiding and in some cases injury or death caused by
the elephants. In addition, this boost to local community livelihoods will
improve the relationship between conservationists and farmers living with
wildlife.
In order to mitigate the problems caused by fencing in the long-term, the
Trust has a wildlife corridor project in process which would allow
elephants to move safely off the mountain to protected areas.
;)
Doum palms in Meru National Park, Kenya with Mt. Kenya in the background.
