Laikipia Fence Project, Kenya

The Laikipia district is located in the northern part of Kenya, and is just another example of an area which has been experiencing conflict with elephants for decades now. A fencing project has been deemed the most practical solution in this instance, and IFAW is supporting the community with this initiative.

On November 8th, 2006, IFAW CEO Fred O’Regan announced a US$ 135,000 grant towards the commencement of a 150 km community electric fence in Laikipia District and handed over $93,500 worth of mass capture equipment during a commemorative function at the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) headquarters. These efforts will further advance conservation and the mitigation of human-wildlife conflict in one of Africa’s most critical elephant range states.

Laikipia District Human-Elephant Conflict Statistics (2000-2005)
• 3,713 reported incidences
• 54 elephants killed (16 by poisoning and 38 by Kenya Wildlife Service Problem Animal Control)
• 19 human lives lost
• 21 humans seriously injured by elephants
• 13 of 15 crop-raiding hotspots located here

Kenya’s Vice-President Hon. Moody Awori …
“Laikipia is critically important for Kenya as a wildlife habitat – being host to our largest population of elephants outside protected National Parks. But it is also a human-wildlife conflict hotspot with many cases of crop damage by elephants and lost human lives reported each year.”

The benefits are clear; the project will help secure sustainable livelihoods and protect elephants and other wildlife in its proximity.

A blood sample is taken from a tranquilized baby elephant being translocated from the Laikipia District to its new home in Meru National Park, Kenya.
Photo © IFAW/Willetts