The government will spend Sh600 million to install electric fences and watchtowers around national game parks to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua says the government is planning to scale up wildlife conservancy electrified wire fences in areas prone to human-animal conflicts.

Dr Mutua specifically said human-wildlife conflict remains a big threat to conservation efforts, especially in areas surrounding the national reserves.

The CS said wild animals in national parks invade community lands during drought seasons in search of water, while people drive their livestock into the parks in search of pasture.

Mutua said the mitigation measures will include improving electric fences, constructing water dams, ongoing awareness creation and restocking herbivores to reduce predation.

“Constructing electric fences will go a long way in solving the human-wildlife conflict as it will help stop the wild animals from leaving their natural habitats and protect lives and crops,” said Mutua.
He went on ‘the electric wire fence will be effective in diverting the animals from attacking people, their livestock and farms’.

The idea is that when the wires touch an animal such as an elephant on the soft flesh of its chest or its trunk, delivering a shock, it turns and returns to the park.

Mutua says fencing national parks and conservancies will mitigate human-wildlife conflict and ensure the safety of both wildlife and communities.

He says it’s hoped that the electric fences around the game parks will deter wild animals from straying into neighbouring communities in search of water and pasture especially during drought seasons.