Human-Wildlife Conflicts: The Case of Galana-Kulalu Cosystem, Kenya

Philip Manyi Omenge, Nyumba Foundation (Kenya)

Sitting adjacent to the Tsavo-East National Park and stretching along the Eastern Frontier of Tsavo Conservation Area in Kenya, Galana-Kulalu Ecosystem is a vast Ranch that is an important buffer zone, wildlife corridor and dispersal area that remove pressure from park borders to create soft transition buffer zone that give wildlife a larger cushion from human settlements. However, population increase and demand for arable land coupled with emerging challenges of climate change are negatively impacting on the primary function of the Ranch as a secure wilderness outside Tsavo-East National Park resulting in human-wildlife conflicts. The aim of this study was to establish factors that exacerbate human-wildlife conflicts in the Galana-Kulalu Ecosystem and how they can be mitigated. The study employed a descriptive research design using mixed methods. Findings show that land use change, climate change, reduced livelihoods, increased human population and infrastructure development have exacerbated human-wildlife conflicts. Key words: Human-wildlife conflicts, Galana-Kulalu, Kenya