Somali giraffes face extinction threat as poaching surges in North Eastern Kenya
What you need to know:
- Giraffe population in the north eastern has also been on the decline due to perennial effects of drought.
- According to the 2021 national wildlife census, there were more than 19,000 reticulated giraffes in the country.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has linked cases of giraffe and ostrich poaching in the North Eastern region to cross-border bush meat smuggling into Somalia and presence of Al-Shabaab militia.
In a statement, KWS Director General Erastus Kanga however said enhanced security operations in the poaching hot spots has led to a decline in wildlife deaths in the recent past.
“The illegal trade in giraffe and ostrich meat, exacerbated by cross-border smuggling into Somalia, is a serious challenge that undermines our conservation efforts. The situation is further complicated by the presence of Al-Shabaab terrorists, who provide a ready market for bush meat traders,” Dr Kanga stated.
He spoke amid concerns by conservationists that the Somali (reticulated) giraffes are at risk of being wiped due to high cases of poaching in Mandera, Wajir and Garissa counties.
According to North-Eastern Wildlife Conservancies Association (NECA) chief executive officer Sharmake Mohamed, about 87 giraffes have been killed by poachers since last year.
"The survival of Somali Giraffes, Ostriches, and other species in our landscape is at stake. We must act now to protect our wildlife heritage,” Mr Mohamed said.
However, the KWS boss said efforts were being made to reduce the vice through community engagement and sensitization forums, multi-agency security operations and community empowerment to address human-wildlife conflict.
“We have intensified patrols in high-risk areas, leading to significant disruptions in poaching activities. Numerous suspects have been apprehended, and illegal wildlife products have been seized,” he said.
Dr Kanga added that four poachers have been killed and more than six suspects arrested in anti-poaching operations in the region in the last one year.
“The poaching hotspots, particularly near the Somalia border, present unique challenges due to the high-risk environment. However, our dedicated officers continue to patrol these regions, often at great personal risk, to protect Kenya’s iconic wildlife,” he said.
NECA CEO said local rangers were estimating that about 11 giraffes are currently being killed daily across Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera for their meat.
The association which brings together 30 community conservancies is also appealing to the KWS to take urgent measures to dismantle the game meat smuggling routes in the country.
"A significant portion of giraffe and ostrich meat and eggs is being smuggled into Somalia. The rest of the game meat is transported and sold locally, particularly Eastleigh in Nairobi,” Mr Mohamed said.
The trade is also driven by high demand for illegal game meat in Somalia where a kilo is said to fetch more than Sh1,000.
In one of the most recent incidents, two poachers responsible for the death of about 80 giraffes in Wajir and Garissa this year were arrested last month.
He said the community conservancy personnel were overwhelmed by the increased illicit activity hence the need for increased KWS presence.
"There is a need for immediate action, including the expansion of KWS stations in Northern Kenya, increased ranger capacity, and stricter enforcement of wildlife laws. We also recommend the integration of KWS into multi-agency security teams to prevent the illegal transport of wildlife products to other regions of Kenya," he said.
Besides poaching, the giraffe population in the north eastern has also been on the decline due to perennial effects of drought.
According to the 2021 national wildlife census, there were more than 19,000 reticulated giraffes in the country, with the majority in North Eastern Kenya.
