Poaching and severe drought threaten Somali giraffes and ostriches with extinction in northern Kenya.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — Conservation enthusiasts are beseeching the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to bolster their efforts in safeguarding Somali giraffes and ostriches. These iconic creatures are teetering on the edge of extinction due to rampant poaching and ruthless droughts. The North-Eastern Wildlife Conservancies Association (Neca) has issued an urgent plea for action. This illicit hunting of precious wildlife is booming, with giraffe and ostrich meats making their way to marketplaces in northern Kenya and being smuggled across borders into Somalia.
“From our intel and field investigations, we’ve discovered giraffe meat brazenly peddled in several villages here,” shared Sharmake Mohamed, who heads Neca.
He emphasized, “Disturbingly, a considerable amount of giraffe and ostrich products is being funneled into Somalia. There are even suspicions of some meats being routed to Al Shabaab, while the rest goes to local markets or finds its way to Nairobi’s Eastleigh.”
The relentless drought has ravaged habitats in Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera, putting Somali giraffes and ostriches in peril. The dwindling food and water sources compel these animals to venture into new territories, making them soft targets for poachers.
With climate change worsening the drought, wildlife is more at risk. The combination of commercial poaching and environmental stress endangers giraffes and ostriches, urging conservationists to press KWS for intensified protective actions.
In a bid to combat these challenges, Neca collaborates with local communities, engaging them directly in conservation. By fostering education, promoting eco-tourism, and encouraging sustainable agriculture, Neca aims to present economic avenues that prevail over poaching temptation.
Mohamed asserted that Neca, comprising a network of community conservancies in northern Kenya, is “dedicated to working hand in hand with KWS and various stakeholders, ensuring wildlife preservation for the generations to come.”
Wildlife rangers in northern Kenya are in dire need of resources. The lack of training and equipment leaves vast regions unmonitored and susceptible to poaching raids. Neca appeals for the Kenyan government’s support in providing the necessary funds, tools, and training to tackle this mounting poaching crisis.
The illicit wildlife trade transcends conservation concerns; it’s also a matter of security. Neca’s findings reveal that some poached giraffe and ostrich meats potentially supply terrorist groups, including Al-Shabaab, heightening regional security risks.
Over in western Kenya, the KWS has been relocating giraffes to Ruko Conservancy since 2011, striving to pacify tensions between the Pokot and Ilchamus communities. The initiative has subdued poaching, spawned employment, and fostered harmony between these groups. In a July 2024 effort, KWS transferred ten giraffes from Kruger Farm in Sergoit to the conservancy, reinforcing ongoing wildlife management endeavors.
The poaching scenario is dire in certain locales, notably Sabuli Conservancy near Dagahaley refugee camp, and Sarif, Hare, and Argani in Wajir. Hotspots in Garissa include Bora’ana Conservancy, Gababa, Gumaray, Sangailu, and Danyere. In Mandera, Darwed, Afalo, and Didkuro are under siege.
These biodiverse areas are ecosystems essential for Somali giraffes and ostriches, and losing them would unravel ecological stability and impact local communities reliant on these lands.
Conservationists call on the Kenyan authorities to respond swiftly, dispatch more rangers, enforce wildlife protection laws rigorously, and furnish the essential resources to quash poaching.
Mohamed issued a stern warning, “We stand at a crucial moment. Without prompt and effective action, these animals may be lost to us forever.”
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
