Barriers to Migration the Negative Impact Of

Joseph O. Ogutu Unfortunately, this is not a theoretical costs, removing any incentive to help Biology︱ problem, and it’s not just confined to conserve these migrants. Consequently, Kenya. There are many examples of lost human settlements established in the migrations around the world. For example, lands surrounding these protected areas Mongolian gazelles are now constrained are expanding without any consideration by railways and fences. In Botswana for the need to maintain open ground to veterinary fences built in the 1950s accommodate migratory wildlife. This only Barriers to migration caused the loss of hundreds of thousands aggravates the situation and adds to the of wildebeest and zebra. In Russia, the isolation of protected areas. The negative impact of fences on ungulate populations in Africa construction of a railroad divided the wild reindeer population and eliminated the Further complicating matters, exponential longest of the region’s migrations; and in human population growth is placing The mass migration of ungulates t’s called Nature’s greatest show, and forage production for other species. And South Africa, thousands of springboks that an extra strain. In Kenya, the human Wildebeest crossing Mara River in Mara (hooved mammals) around it’s one of the few natural events that there are benefits for local communities; once travelled across the Karoo desert population has increased dramatically over Region (Tanzania). the world is under threat. Ican be described with only two words: indigenous populations use these animals were eradicated by a combination of the last 70 years. It has grown by 780% As the human footprint expands, Great Migration. as traditional food sources, as well as fencing, disease, and hunting before the from 5.4 million people in 1948 to 47.6 more and more barriers are their hides for clothing, blankets, and end of the 19th century. Undoubtedly, million people in 2019, and is projected to their migratory routes altered, migrating introduced to the landscape, There isn’t anywhere else in the world other home furnishings. It’s a win-win humans pose great threats to biodiversity reach 95.5 million in 2050 and 157 million herds often venture out of protected areas blocking traditional migration where you can see such a magnitude for everybody. but - with the right approaches - they may in 2100. Other countries in the region and become easy targets for poachers pathways with devastating of animals on the move, with 1.3 million be able to restore the natural balance. follow a similar pattern. or run into fences. Climate change can effects on ungulate populations. wildebeest, 400,000 Thomson’s gazelle, Sadly, these migrations are under severe also increase the chances of extreme 200,000 zebra and 12,000 eland travelling threat. Large fenced areas built to protect BARRIERS TO MIGRATION As a consequence of this population weather events, such as prolonged A group of researchers led together between the green grass of the livestock and farmland are blocking Migratory animals enjoy a high level of boom, the country’s livestock and farming drought or intense rains. In future, severe by Dr Joseph Ogutu from Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya migratory routes, limiting wildebeest’s protection when they’re inside a national sectors have skyrocketed in recent droughts could, for example, cause the the University of Hohenheim, and the vast plains of the Serengeti range. Since the mid-1970s, Kenya’s park or reserve, such as the Maasai Mara years to feed the growing masses. But Mara River to dry up completely, and Germany, explores how the National Park in Tanzania. Along the way, wildebeest population has declined or the Serengeti National Park. There increasing numbers of livestock have led to would have dramatic consequences not proliferation of fences is creating there’s drama aplenty, as thousands of by >70%. Most migratory routes have are no fences or human settlements to overgrazing with damaging effects to the only for the migrating animals but also barriers to migration in Kenya animals perish at the hands of cunning collapsed entirely. This devastation is worry about. However, the story changes environment. Too many animals grazing for the predators waiting for their meals. and how this is contributing to predators, such as lions and crocodiles, and not unique to Kenya. Across the African when they leave these safe havens and and trampling in a small area affect plant On the other extreme, intense rainfall declines in both resident and thousands are born each year to maintain continent, populations have declined cross the boundaries of the reserve to growth and reduce soil fertility. Inevitably, could make any river crossings a serious migratory ungulate populations. the circle of life. dramatically in neighbouring Tanzania, continue travelling. Inevitably, they come this reduction in grass also creates an threat. Wildebeest find crossing the Mara Using this information, the researchers suggest strategies Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. across an environment increasingly environment where trees can grow more River difficult enough as it is, they don’t and interventions that The sights and sounds of this migration are need heavy rains to make it even more can be used to help these heart-stopping, a natural event on a truly Dr Joseph Ogutu, University of dangerous to complete their journey. populations recover. epic scale. Every year, the opportunity to Hohenheim, Germany, has been a Since the mid-1970s, Kenya’s wildebeest see thrilling scenes of wildebeest jumping champion for these animals for many population has decreased by over EXAMPLES OF MIGRATION into dangerous waters or quieter views years. He has dedicated much of his career, COLLAPSES IN AFRICA of vast herds grazing calmly across the highlighting how their loss would not 70%, and most migratory routes have Dr Ogutu warns that this devastating plains attracts hundreds of thousands of only lead to severe biodiversity decline scenario is not something that may visitors. This region has the most vibrant but also endanger tourism and local collapsed entirely. potentially happen in a distant future. It is tourism industry in Kenya and is a source of livelihood opportunities. His team believes happening now. Kenya and Tanzania have revenue and employment, not only for the that urgent efforts are needed to protect dominated by humans where land uses are easily - the first sign of land degradation. already lost four of their signature mass people who live in the region but also for wildebeest migratory paths to ensure becoming incompatible with their needs. As trees become more established, grazers migrations. The researcher believes this many businesses in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. these great migrations do not become a like wildebeest and zebras struggle to find was caused by a growing number of farms distant memory only viewed by the world’s For Dr Ogutu, the fundamental problem food and become easy prey for ambush in the area and unplanned proliferation But these animals provide so much more population through the silver screen. is that protected areas, such as game predators like lions. The population boom of fences, roads and other infrastructure. than just a good photo opportunity. reserves and national parks, are not large is also driving massive tree felling in wildlife In Kenya, losses have occurred mainly in Without these migrations, the In the team’s view, fences are the enemy enough to protect the full ranges of many habitats outside protected areas for fuel, the Mara-Loita Plains, the Athi-Kaputiei environment, and so many of the creatures of migration and the leading direct and migratory species. Protected areas only wood and charcoal, on which 70% of Plains and the Amboseli National Park and associated with Africa, would disappear. indirect cause of animal death. These tend to cover the land the animals occupy Kenya’s population relies for energy. surrounding pastoral lands. In Tanzania, The huge number of animals trampling structures may have been erected with during the dry season, but wildebeest and the most affected areas include Tarangire stops tree seedlings from growing, which the best of intentions - to protect crops or their travelling companions must venture In addition to problems caused by National Park, as well as Lake Manyara prevents woodlands from invading to control disease transmission between outside to reach their wet season ranges. increasing human populations, erratic National Park and Ranch. grasslands and keeps migration routes livestock and wildlife - but soon turned weather patterns due to global warming open. Migrants also transport nutrients, into one of the main factors contributing Moreover, the government established are also beginning to impact the migration MAASAI MARA ECOSYSTEM IN KENYA consuming tonnes of grass daily, which is to the drop in the wildebeest population parks and reserves on lands owned by patterns of Kenya’s wildlife. Changes in the Geographically, the Greater Maasai Mara digested and redistributed as they travel. by interrupting their traditional migratory local people but offered no compensation rainy season, for example, are affecting ecosystem is located in southwest Kenya This provides much needed fertiliser for pathways. An increase in roads and for commandeering their land. In practical the ability of animals to arrive at their and covers an area of approximately 7,500 many plant species. In addition, an ever- railways, oil and gas pipelines and dams terms, landowners receive minimal or, in feeding or calving grounds as foliage km2. Within this area, about 1530 km2 form moving grazing system allows grasses to has also created further barriers that are some cases, no benefit at all from wildlife appears, reducing their ability to forage, the actual Maasai Mara National Reserve; grow faster after being grazed, increasing often incompatible with wildlife. crossing their land. In fact, they often incur access water or breed successfully. With the rest is privately owned, mainly by Photo credit: MMWCA

www.researchfeatures.com www.researchfeatures.com Maasai landowners. Arguably the most remaining Mara-Loita wildebeest embark migratory collapse occurred about 20 Thomson’s gazelles in the Amboseli region ULTIMATELY, WHAT HAS iconic tribe in Africa, the Maasai are easily on this journey as many of these animals years ago in the Athi-Kaputiei ecosystem. in Kenya. Located in the shadow of Mount CAUSED KENYA’S MIGRATIONS recognised by their traditional dress of have apparently adopted a sedentary This region covers almost 2,500 km2 and Kilimanjaro, the 8,000 km2 area includes TO COLLAPSE? red or brightly coloured “shukas” or body lifestyle in the Mara Reserve and includes the Nairobi National Park (117 vast wetlands and swamps providing water Dr Ogutu believes that decades of drapes. These semi-nomadic pastoralists nearby conservancies. The downward km2), on the outskirts of Kenya’s capital city. and ample forage for migrating herds in inadequate wildlife management with herds of cattle, sheep, goats and spiral of the Mara-Loita migration The park has a wide variety of wildlife and the dry season. As the rains start, wildlife capacity and poor – sometimes perverse donkeys have lived in this region for started in the 1970s when the Kenya attracts over 200,000 visitors every year. move out of the park into the area that government land policies, before and centuries in relative harmony with wildlife. Government co-designed, approved, Early accounts of this migration described spans Kajiado and Longido, across the since independence, have undermined strongly promoted and arranged multi- a spectacular ecosystem teeming with border into north-eastern Tanzania. the interests of Kenya’s most iconic Covering such a large area, it’s not lateral funding for large-scale commercial wildlife. Wildebeest and zebra would natural assets – free-ranging, large surprising that the Maasai Mara area wheat schemes in Narok County, arrive at the park during the dry season, Outside the protected park (392 km2), mammal migrations. is home to several distinct wildebeest including in the middle of the wet season drawn by the rivers and swamps providing some grazing areas are still available for migrations. Undoubtedly the most famous wildebeest feeding and calving range on permanent water. When the rains returned, migratory herds, but most have been Under Kenyan law, wildlife is considered of all migrations is the Great Migration the Loita Plains. The Kenya Government Dr Ogutu believes that decades of inadequate wildlife the migrants would move south back onto converted to farmland by the Maasai a “public good” and the responsibility for moving in an everlasting circle between further promoted erecting game control management capacity and poor government land policies the Athi-Kaputiei Plains, their wet season people and are now subdivided into managing the country’s wildlife rests solely have undermined the interests of Kenya’s most iconic Kenya and Tanzania. There is a second, moats and fences to protect wheat farms natural assets – free-ranging, large mammal migrations. breeding and feeding grounds. small, individually-owned parcels and with the government. However, for the past equally important but less well-known, and tacitly approved control shooting of fenced. Like in Maasai Mara, major roads few decades, resources needed to manage ungulate migration in the Greater Mara wildebeest alongside other animals, to Today, this is no longer the case. The are also being built without allowing the country’s national wildlife heritage have ecosystem - the Mara-Loita migration. maximise farmers’ profits. This has caused portions of the Loita Plains decline started in the early 1900s when for safe wildlife crossings or regard to been woefully inadequate. Making matters Sadly, in contrast with the Great Migration, to become inaccessible to wildebeest settlements and farms spread across the migration routes. In addition, most of the worse, wildlife policies adopted 50 years which has seen numbers of animals For Dr Ogutu, fences are to blame. Over and other migrating animals. When area and it continues to this day. Fences freshwater available is used for agriculture, ago, including the controversial cessation stabilise over the past few decades, the past few years many new settlements trying to cross this maze of fences, it’s not have virtually blocked all movements of leaving wildlife thirsty and further of sport hunting, have had devastating the Mara-Loita migration is in a rapid have sprung up in and around the Loita uncommon for animals to get trapped in migratory wildebeest and zebra between restricting seasonal migratory movements. effects. Not only did they block all options downward spiral. Plains. This increasing population is the wires or even be killed struggling to the Nairobi National Park and the Athi- Consequently, wildebeest population has for landowners to benefit from attracting forcing the local Maasai people to forfeit jump over them. With the instinct to keep Kaputiei Plains. As a result, the migratory declined sharply (16,300 animals in 1977 wildlife onto their land, but also limited the This migration used to be concentrated their traditional nomadic ways and going, many wildebeest look for alternative wildebeest decreased from 30,000 to 2,400 in 2014). way rangers and wardens could protect around the Loita Plains that lie just find a permanent place to keep their routes. However, these new paths often animals in 1978 to less than 1,000 today. wildlife outside state-owned parks and northeast of the Maasai Mara reserve. livestock. Due to poor land privatisation mean that the herds need to overcome And, as if fences weren’t enough, these TARANGIRE-MANYARA reserves. In practical terms, it could be said Historically, this area was home to policies, this move comes with a sense dangerous barriers or travel much longer migrating animals now face a new set ECOSYSTEM IN TANZANIA that the Kenyan government neither took wildebeest, gazelles, zebras and eland of possession and fences quickly go distances to reach their destination. of challenges with the recent expansion This problem is not unique to Kenya. adequate responsibility for its wildlife nor in the wet season, but as the grass dried up to exclude access to resources by of the Athi-Namanga road, the Nairobi Although small in comparison to the allowed local citizen landowners’ attempts up in the early dry season, most animals others. The recent dramatic increase The negative effects of fences are southern by-pass, and the new railway line Great Migration of the Serengeti-Mara, to do the same. journeyed southwest to the Mara Reserve in fences on the Loita Plains has also further amplified by major tarmac that cuts right across the park, despite the the Tarangire-Manyara migration is just as in search of food and water. Typically, coincided with two other major changes. roads being built across the Mara underpass provided in its design. important to save. This region covers the In addition, large numbers of wildlife during the late dry season, they joined with The first is unusually higher rainfall in ecosystem without any consideration Tarangire (2,850 km2) and Lake Manyara were killed under the guise of “problem the Great Migration coming from the south both the wet and dry seasons during for safe wildlife crossings. Additionally, To make matters worse, the Ngong (649 km2) National Parks, as well as a animal control”, in some cases with the and the Mara plains would become a 2015-2020 than at any other time since unplanned and rapidly expanding National Reserve (512 km2), gazetted private conservancy known as the Manyara active involvement of Kenyan wildlife mass of wildebeest in search of remaining recording began in Narok County in urban centres block migration routes in 1949 and abolished in 1961, and the Ranch (177 km2). This protected area is authorities. This clash can be traced back grass and water. By the wet season, the 1913, associated with the warming of the and displace resident wildlife. Kitengela Conservation Area (530 km2), two migrations were on the move once Indian Ocean surface. This has created created in 1965, can no longer provide again: The Great Migration heading transient conditions suitable for fenced As a way to offset some of these negative safe dispersal areas during the wet season. Fences are the enemy of migration and south towards the Serengeti, while the ranching. The second is devolution of impacts, the government has established Worryingly, the extermination of wildlife the leading cause of animal death. Loita wildebeest made their way back to 15% of the national revenue to Kenya’s several protected areas, including game in both reserves has not only crippled the the Loita Plains just in time for the fresh 47 county governments in 2013, and nature reserves that collectively cover migration, but seriously jeopardised the surrounded by farms, livestock grazing to the early 1900s, when European settlers pastures to start greening up. including the Narok County, following 8% of Kenya. The idea sounds good, but future of the Nairobi National Park. In fact, areas, game management areas and started arriving in Kenya attracted by the promulgation of a new constitution in Dr Ogutu unveiled 40 years of evidence it may come a point where the Park will national reserves. the rich wildlife heritage. By mid 1930s, Up until the late 1970s, this migration 2010. Plans currently underway to further showing that these areas are just too no longer be able to support the numbers thousands of wildlife had been killed by involved the movement of up to 120,000- increase the devolved revenue to 35% of small to maintain the migratory herds. and variety of wildlife seen today and Traditionally, wildebeest stay in the government officials and white farmers to 150,000 wildebeest, 78,000-94,000 the national revenue, if adopted without As a comparison, it’s possible to see that tourists will stop coming. Plans currently Tarangire National Park during the dry avoid damages to crops and intrusion into Plains zebra, 126,000-169,000 Thomson’s adequate land use planning, will almost The Great Migration is still going strong under consideration to fence the small, season and move to the Simanjiro Plains, human settlements. Because of fences and gazelle and 5,700-8,200 eland. However, certainly greatly accelerate the rate of because both the dry season range in remaining open section still connecting the Manyara Ranch, the Lake Manyara uncontrolled shooting by early European it has virtually collapsed over the past five development and the loss of wildlife and Kenya as well as the wet season range in the Nairobi Park with the Kitengela area to National Park or one of the nearby game farmers and hunters, the seasonal mass years. Today, a few of the less than 20,000 their habitats in Kenya. Tanzania are primarily within protected the south, if implemented, will only speed management areas in the wet season. migration of thousands of plains zebra and areas. To put it in simple terms, Kenya up the degradation and complete the However, between 1984 and 2000, over Thomson’s gazelle between the Kenyan has lost its “own” Mara-Loita migration isolation of the Park. 700 km2 of land were converted to farms, lakes Nakuru-Elementaita and Baringo The fundamental problem is that because it did not protect the wildebeest’s blocking routes traditionally used by these regions, had gone extinct by the 1920s. wet season range on the Loita Plains. AMBOSELI ECOSYSTEM IN KENYA migratory wildebeest. These changes Unfortunately, this view persisted over protected areas, such as game reserves Uncontrolled expansion of fences, growing in land use were solely responsible for time and the repercussions are still felt ATHI-KAPUTIEI ECOSYSTEM IN KENYA settlements, as well as uncontrolled the precipitous decline in the migratory today. Only 40 years ago, in Kajiado and and national parks, are not large enough Regrettably, the story of the Mara is land subdivision are also contributing to wildebeest population (49,000 animals in Narok Counties, for example, thousands to protect the full migratory ranges. not unique. An even more catastrophic the collapse of wildebeest, zebra and 1990 to under 8,800 by 2011). of wildebeests and zebras were shot

www.researchfeatures.com www.researchfeatures.com making it a challenge to create a truly local communities, then they must be species while benefiting local landowners, their drivers can be both stored and enabling environment for wildlife to thrive. compensated properly. Ideally, this can including finding the best spots for new interactively viewed by policymakers, If the government continues down this be achieved with monetary benefits, conservancies and animal sanctuaries. planners and the public. line - denying private and community with innovative financing models that go It goes without saying that these new landowners’ responsibility to conserve beyond tourism. These incentives should plans need to be backed both by the Such online data visualisation and wildlife on their lands and simultaneously cover the costs of removing existing government and local landowners to have planning tools are the perfect way to benefit from these activities - Dr Ogutu fences and dissuade the building of any chance of success. share critical insights and debate the predicts that migrating herds will continue new ones. To make this possible, local inevitable trade-offs with indigenous, to suffer heavy losses. communities need significantly more From a practical point of view, tracking local, regional, national and international The research team predicts that migrating herds will continue to suffer heavy losses. support to plan, expand and manage new individuals with GPS collars is a vital decision-makers. In the short-term, it’s After losing several migrations over the and existing wildlife conservancies. tool for mapping wildlife migration a good starting point to develop new past few decades, it’s not unreasonable routes. It provides useful information on plans to restore migratory pathways Migrations failed due to a total lack to suggest that the impact of increasing Despite the obstacles, Dr Ogutu hasn’t the exact ways that migrating animals and prevent the collapse of further human population is reaching catastrophic completely lost hope yet. Land-lease travel. When these maps are combined populations. of planning for the most suitable use proportions. At this stage, the failed programs already exist, providing private with other geo-referenced information of the land. policies of the past or the lack of and community conservancies with (topography, infrastructure, farmland), TAKE HOME MESSAGE implementation of the newer ones must significant payments. This remuneration barriers to migration that might otherwise Large mammal migrations are among each year by the Kenya Police Dog conservation experience has conclusively be redressed as a matter of urgency. serves to offset their costs and discourage go unnoticed become apparent and even the world’s most awe-inspiring natural Section and the Kenya Army under shown that excluding communities only It is imperative to secure the historical them from subdividing their land, artificial barriers that are causing critical wonders. Sadly, many of these most the pretext of vermin removal. Added leads to massive wildlife losses. migration routes; otherwise, it will be too installing fences or illegally harvesting obstruction can be identified accurately. amazing shows are under threat, and to all of this, Dr Ogutu defends that late to prevent further losses. This will be bushmeat from wild species. In addition, humans are mostly to blame. Loss of Kenya’s land privatisation policies had It took some time but, after years beneficial not only for migrating species once critical habitats have been secured habitat due to agriculture, poaching far-reaching negative impacts on wildlife of debate, new conservation and but also help the environment to which and restored to normal, wildlife species and barriers that block migration, heritage. Beginning decades ago, management policies were put in place in they belong. can be re-introduced and re-stocked including fences, roads and railways, the post-independence government 2013. The new law was devised to restore as necessary. It is important to monitor have progressively disrupted historical created the conditions for land grabbing the rights of Kenya’s rural communities Dr Ogutu believes that communities all interventions to identify successful migratory routes and driven massive Photo credit: Dickson Kaelo by some of the country’s affluent and to benefit from user rights to rebuild the sharing their land with wildlife factors so that management actions declines of many of the once spectacular elite. Unsurprisingly, this situation left spirit of community pride and prestige must receive financial incentives to can be adapted to ensure that wildlife migratory herds. most of Kenya’s rural communities in the custodianship of the country’s wholeheartedly engage in conservation. populations are protected in perpetuity. disenfranchised as they were saddled wildlife heritage. Crucially, these incentives have to match Proposed measures can have a positive Yet Dr Ogutu refuses to lose hope. The with costs of sharing their land with or exceed the income obtained from Reports after 10 years under the impact, map the exact migratory routes and researcher and his colleagues have identify the most critical obstructions. wildlife, with no benefits. Inevitably, One critical piece of legislation is the current use of these same areas. This conservancy model show encouraging proposed measures that can have a owners were compelled to construct establishment of a legal framework to would ensure that their choices remain results. However, most of the positive impact on migratory pathways. fences to protect their land, excluding recognise the formation of “wildlife compatible with long-term conservation conservancies established to date rely Identifying the barriers is only the first The idea is simple: first, map the exact the livestock of neighbours and blocking conservancies”. This aims to protect objectives rather than maximising exclusively on photographic tourism step. Then negotiations with landowners migratory routes and second, identify migratory routes in the process. >70% of Kenya’s wildlife, which can be short-term profits which could lead to revenues to support lease payments, can begin to have them removed to where the most critical obstructions found scattered outside the country’s unsustainable use of the land. provide jobs and stimulate local create wildlife-compatible migration are placed. The next step is to remove WHAT CAN BE DONE TO formal protected areas, while still allowing livelihoods. With the onset of the routes. Over the past few years, migration these barriers and restore traditional REVERSE THESE DECLINES? owners to use the area for controlled Informed planning regarding land use is COVID-19 pandemic, these once-healthy maps have been increasingly used to migratory pathways. Wildlife heritage in Kenya has gone grazing of their livestock. Eighty eight also badly needed to slow the pace of and reliable revenues have all but come identify which fences need to be removed through several major changes in percent of these conservation-compatible land sales that are rapidly fragmenting the to a standstill. At the moment, funding and to highlight where road-crossing As a final note, none of this will be the past few decades, particularly in areas are found mostly within privately landscape. Such plans need to regulate is limited and reliance on bushmeat is structures could benefit wildlife. They also possible without the full support and terms of ownership, management and held or community-owned land. land subdivision and identify land suitable becoming a popular option once again. help local people better understand the active engagement of local communities, conservation. To move forward, the for peri-urban development, small-scale Without concerted action to develop wildlife on their doorstep and discourage who can provide the background country needs to proactively develop However, these policies are yet to be fully and intensive farming and pastoralism. alternative funding models to support further land conversion where it would be knowledge needed to develop new land innovative models that will devolve regulated, resulting in a worryingly slow the true cost of conserving wildlife, most threatening. use plans; and targeted action by the the rights to manage Kenya’s wildlife pace of implementation. In addition, Dr In addition, in areas critical for the these valiant efforts will likely meet an national and county governments, who to those communities that currently Ogutu defends additional legislation is integrity of migratory systems, the only untimely end. Recognising the value of this approach, can develop and implement new policies share their land with these much-valued needed to provide greater support for way to secure more land is by urgently the researchers are already developing a and essential actions. This is our best wildlife assets. implementation and enforcement of reducing human and livestock population OUTSTANDING DATA NEEDS country-wide version of a national digital bet to ensure that migration populations the 2013 law. This is particularly relevant densities and removing fences. Ultimately, Progress is only possible with the support repository for Kenya, where all relevant in Kenya and other countries in Africa The future of these wildlife populations regarding the sections that promote this will not be easy to achieve but Dr of a detailed analysis of both past geographic information on animal stop facing imminent declines and depends on the goodwill and support of active involvement of local communities. Ogutu defends that it can be done with and existing migratory routes and an abundances, migratory movements and potential extinction. local communities. These are the people active partnering of communities and understanding of how migrating herds who continue to welcome wildlife on Unfortunately, it’s been hard to change the government at all levels. This is where interact with their surroundings. In other their private lands despite the enormous government’s pervasive and unyielding “win-win” situations for people and words, it is imperative that researchers To move forward, what the country needs costs they incur. These are the people view that they carry all the responsibility wildlife become more difficult and true not only map each migration but also who will ultimately determine the fate of for the conservation of Kenya’s wildlife. trade-offs will be needed. understand what makes the animals now is innovative models of communal Kenya’s wildlife heritage and they must be This mentality has stalled much-needed move along each particular route. When given the opportunity to play a leading reform of the country’s approach to If these trade-offs require sacrifices or complete, this information will form use to be implemented that meet the role. If nothing else, a century of Kenya’s managing this important national asset, limitations on the livelihood options for the basis of planning to protect these needs of Kenya’s wildlife.

www.researchfeatures.com www.researchfeatures.com Mr Shem C. Kifugo is a Remote Sensing and Geospatial Dr Holly T. Dublin is a Systems Ecologist focused on Analyst and a doctoral candidate in conservation ecology at the landscape level planning and management, the building Behind the Research University of Groningen in the Netherlands. of Africa’s wildlife economy and the incentivising of local communities to contribute to conserving biodiversity. She Dr Robin S. Reid is Professor in the Department of Ecosystem is a Senior Adviser to IUCN ESARO, International Institute Science and Sustainability at Colorado State University, USA. for Environment and Development and Maliasili and She is the author of Savannas of Our Birth: People, Wildlife and has worked in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem for over Change in East Africa. forty years. References Dr Hans-Peter Dr Han Ms Jully Mr Gordon Kauffman et al. 2021. Mapping out a future for ungulate Msoffe, F.U., et al. 2019. Wildebeest migration in East Africa: migrations. Science. 372, 6542: 566-569. doi:10.1126/science. Status, threats and conservation measures. bioRxiv, DOI: https:// Piepho Olff S. Senteu Ojwang abf0998. doi.org/10.1101/546747. Crego et al. 2021. Moving through the mosaic: Identifying critical Ogutu, J.O., et al. 2013. Changing wildlife populations in Nairobi linkage zones for large herbivores across a multiple-use African National Park and adjoining Athi-Kaputiei Plains: Collapse of landscape. Landscape Ecology. 36, 5:1325-1340. doi:10.1007/ the migratory wildebeest. The Open Conservation Biology s10980-021-01232-8. Journal, 7: 11-26. DOI: 10.2174/1874839201307010011.

Personal Response

Dr Mohammed Mr Shem Dr Robin Dr Holly Dr Joseph In your opinion, what can wildlife management groups and conservationists do to make people in general care about their local wildlife? Y. Said C. Kifugo S. Reid T. Dublin O. Ogutu Wildlife conservation should generate benefits to local communities and offset the costs of conservation and sharing land with wildlife. E: [email protected] T: +0049 711 459 23022 W: https://scholar.google.de/citations?user=nq7uFDQAAAAJ&hl=en • Promote incentives that increase economic returns from wildlife and discourage land subdivision and expansion of cultivation in W: https://researchgate.net/profile/Joseph_Ogutu2 W: https://linkedin.com/in/joseph-o-ogutu-95a87264/?originalSubdomain=de wildlife habitats. • Promote and protect community land and user rights and restore community land where possible. • Conservation benefits should be shared equitably, and not be captured mostly by elites. Research Objectives • Increase the proportion of conservation-tourism revenue re-invested in wildlife conservation and management activities. • Diversify sources of conservation revenue to reduce reliance on tourism alone and enhance resilience to such shocks as the Dr Joseph O. Ogutu hopes to improve our understanding of mechanisms underpinning wildlife population declines. current COVID-19 pandemic and to generate revenue to finance conservation in areas with low tourism potential. • Invest in community capacity building for better ecosystem and financial management. • Promote business enterprises, conservation land leases, easements, and land trusts to transform conservation into economic Detail and social advantage and reduce the environmental threats while ensuring continued availability and access to the critical portions of the pastoral lands. Address Collaborators • People living with wildlife should be promptly compensated for wildlife-related injuries and fatalities, property damage, University of Hohenheim Dr Hans-Peter Piepho is Professor of Biostatistics and including livestock depredation and crop raiding, to minimise retributive killing of wildlife. But compensation would become Institute of Crop Science Chair of the Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Crop Science, irrelevant if communities were granted wildlife ownership and custodianship. Biostatistics Unit University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. His research • Open the conversation about compensating pastoral people for land loss to conservation and to individuals who have acquired Fruwithstrasse 23 focuses on the development and application of statistical their land corruptly. 70599 Stuttgart, Germany methods to biological data. • Develop and implement far-sighted spatial plans and ecosystem management plans to secure wildlife habitats from the impacts of rapidly expanding human and livestock populations and infrastructure. The spatial land use plans should ensure that other Bio Dr Han Olff is Professor of Community and Conservation development goals do not undermine wildlife conservation goals as currently happens. Dr Joseph O. Ogutu is a Senior Statistician at the Ecology at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands. • Wildlife conservation policy should recognise that wildlife is not just a local or national but also a global heritage, conferring Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Crop Science, University of He is an expert in connecting fundamental insights in the upon nations both global and local responsibilities that require sustained funding for conservation and habitat restoration. Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany and an Adjunct Professor structure and functioning of marine and terrestrial ecosystems • Engage communities in ecosystem recovery and restoration efforts. worldwide to conservation management and nature protection at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science • Enhance communication and engagement with local communities by honouring what they know, highlighting their and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania. His research explores recommendations. knowledge, empowering their voices and using languages they fully understand. processes and mechanisms underlying wildlife population is the Coordinator of the One Mara Research • Support the Maasai and other pastoralists who live with wildlife to educate other Kenyans and foreigners about the value of declines, including collapse of ungulate mass migrations, as Ms Jully S. Senteu Hub program under the Kenya Wildlife Trust. She has studied wildlife which is intrinsic to their culture and indigenous knowledge. a basis for developing insights, strategies and interventions water sciences, has a passion for conservation, and is a doctoral • Increase the use of media conservation TV shows plus social media platforms to educate and influence the younger generation that promote their population recovery. candidate in conservation ecology at the University of Groningen to be more conservation-aware and support wildlife conservation. in the Netherlands. • Support new pastoral leaders, both men and women, to lead conservation efforts by enhancing capacity building efforts. Funding • The private sector, private citizens and communities should be more engaged in funding conservation and promoting more This project has received funding from the European Mr Gordon Ojwang is Assistant Director at the Directorate sustainable and efficient institutional arrangements for conservation, including customary institutions. Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing of Kenya (DRSRS), • Encourage “green fences” where ecologically sensible. programme under grant agreement No. 641918 through a natural resource scientist, and a doctoral candidate in the AfricanBioServices Project and from the German Research conservation ecology at the University of Groningen in the • Construct ‘underpasses’ or ‘overpasses’ for wildlife where roads, railway lines or other barriers must cross migration pathways. Foundation (DFG, # 257734638). Netherlands. • Improve the translation of research and monitoring results to policy, management actions and development in wildlife areas. • Increase investments in wildlife research and monitoring and act timely and seriously on the findings to guide conservation Dr Mohammed Y. Said is an Ecologist and Geospatial Analyst initiatives rather than monitoring wildlife populations to extinction. affiliated with the Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation at • Land use in wildlife areas should be regulated to be compatible with conservation to minimise land use conflicts. the University of Nairobi and East Africa Institute at the Aga Khan University, Nairobi.