Transcript wildlife-livestock interface in a changing environment
Gerald M. Muchemi Department of Public Health Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.o Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Kenya.
Wildlife-livestock interface defines the interaction between free ranging wildlife and livestock and livestock husbandry practices. This occurs when domestic and wild animals utilize the same or bordering ecosystems or when they share resources.
Livestock and wildlife grazing together
In the past the interface was largely transient
such as pastoralist livestock passing through wildlife concentration areas in search of pasture and water, but changes have occurred that have led to livestock and wildlife utilizing the same resources in common.
This has led to wildlife and livestock sharing sometimes very points.
limited grazing pastures and common watering Cattle and warthog in Northern Kenya
Interacting along fences: as shown in the picture, cattle grazing next to buffaloes on the opposite sides of the Aberdare's National Park fence boundary.
Sharing boundaries with wildlife protected areas.
Elephants next to Aberdares N.P. fence
Livestock predation mainly by lions, leopards, and hyenas
Cross-breeding between Species(Zebra/Donkey) PICTURE SHOWING A ZONKEY IN A HERD OF ZEBRAS IN KIKOPEY AREA IN NAKURU
Climatic include: and drought, flooding , environmental changes which variation in climatic elements livestock movements. such as, temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction over the years have led to seasonal and annual fluctuations in wildlife and
As a result, this has led to habitat changes and environmental degradation.
With increased human population in a fixed land mass and inherent changes in land use and land tenure, crop farmers and pastoralists have now invaded areas that were formerly wildlife range.
There is also increased sharing of diseases and parasite vectors between wildlife and livestock.
Wildlife/livestock interface diseases may be: 1. Linear eg. Along a fence line 2. Patchy host.
3. 4. Focal Diffuse are shared.
reflecting habitat preferences of at shared water points where range and resources
The disease problems encountered are frequently bi directional at the wildlife/livestock interface Veterinary regulatory authorities have now to deal with emerging sylvatic foci diseases Examples include: Bovine tuberculosis (Lion/Buffalo) - Bovine brucellosis (Cattle/Buffalo) - Rinderpest (Cattle/Buffalo)
There is also manifestation of sociocultural changes such as sedenterization of pastoral communities and the inherent adaptation practices. Poultry keeping in a pastoral community in Northern Kenya
Coping strategies for these environmental and climatic changes have included: pastoral livestock movement through protected areas exposing livestock to predation and diseases moving livestock to areas unsuitable for their health and production.
Development of adaptable policies on livestock and wildlife management.
Sustainable natural resource management strategies to address these challenges.
Approaches could include: ecotourism community based wildlife sanctuaries and Namunyak in Samburu.
such as Ilngwesi and Naibunga conservancies in Laikipia
MAP SHOWING NAIBUNG’A AND NAMUNYAK CONSERVANCIES
NAMUNYAK NAIBUNG’A 17
Dr. Stephen Chege (KWS) Dr. Edward Kariuki (KWS) Mr. Simon Wachiuri (KWS) Dr. Joseph Olesarioyo (KMC) Mr. David Mbugua (BSc. Wildlife Management) Mr. Alfred Mainga (PHPT)