Interactions between Humans and Wildlife: Landowner Experiences Regarding Wildlife Damage, Ownership and Benefits in Laikipia District, Kenya

Abstract

"Substantial biological diversity exists in areas outside protected areas and its survival depends on the goodwill extended by private landowners. To ensure that those landowners contribute to biodiversity conservation efforts in mutually beneficial partnerships, it is important to understand their socio-economic backgrounds and historical heritage, land use patterns and expectations, and biodiversity education needs as a basis of formulating inclusive conservation policies. The goal of this study was to explore some of the issues arising from interactions between local landowners and wildlife in a prominent wildlife area in Kenya. Interviews were conducted with 377 private landowners in Laikipia District of north-central Kenya falling in three categories: small-scale, pastoralist and large- cale. Landowners differed in many respects regarding wildlife benefits, wildlife damage and mitigation, benefits, ownership and possible solutions primarily based on their economic backgrounds, land-parcel size and land use, traditional history and knowledge about biodiversity. In all ownerships, the elephant (Loxodonta africana) was the most dominant animal in terms of size and its potential to cause injury or death and damage to property. The most favoured methods of deterring wildlife were traditional (in small-scale and pastoralist ownerships) including bonfires, iron-sheet beating and sound whips; while in many large ownerships modern methods were favoured, primarily the use of firearms to shoot in the air. Many landowners stated that benefiting from wildlife utilisation directly, was very important to them. Suggested long-term solutions emphasised direct wildlife benefits, compensation for property damages, problem animal control, investment in development projects and biodiversity education."