Fighting Modern-Day Extinction in Kenya

Today, when the word “extinction” is used, images of dinosaurs, mammoths, and saber-tooth
tigers come to mind. However, extinction is a current issue and a large fear to many ecologists,
especially in diverse environments such as Africa. As this has been an issue for decades, many
African countries have already implemented programs and laws to deter hunters from poaching.
Specifically, Kenya is home to several organizations who, with international help, have made
significant change on a national scale. Although lots of progress has been made, without ongoing
support, these organizations and others like them will not have the funding to continue their work.

By encouraging and accepting international help, Kenyan organizations have improved
security and strengthened the enforcement of the law within the country’s wildlife preserves.
For example, it is currently illegal to “(hunt) a game animal between dusk and dawn”
(Library of Congress) in Kenya. As a method of defending this law, the World Wildlife Fund
recently donated thermal imaging cameras to the Mara Conservancy. They are being used by
rangers in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve to protect the wildlife during the night (Draper).
Additionally, an American company, Vulcan, has developed a new technology called the Domain
Awareness System (DAS) that uses satellite tracking to monitor the movements of vehicles,
animals and potential poachers within the boundaries of a defined wildlife preserve (Steyn).
By allowing rangers to track potential poachers at night, this technology allows greater
enforcement of the law. Similarly, in recent years there have been several cases of collaboration
between organizations and communities within Kenya to support conservation.

Last year, both the amount of rhinos and the amount of elephants killed by poachers has decreased
by over ⅓ from 2016 (Save the Rhino). One event that contributed to this progress was the
combination of the Lewa and Borana territories to create a 93,000-acre preserve for both black
and white rhinos to live in (Lewa Wildlife Conservancy). Another major contributor to the
killing of endangered species in Kenya has been the conflict between wildlife and the people
living within the nationally protected areas. Many Kenyan cities have been built in places that
impede the natural migration route of elephants, forcing them to trample crops and farmland.
Historically, people have killed elephants to protect their crops, but recently, in some Masai
communities, a traditional method has been introduced, leaving corridors open for free and
constant passage for wildlife. This has allowed elephants to become more protected by the Masai
citizens within Kenya, and this approach has been commended by many experts in the field.
Furthermore, the wildlife corridors have welcomed elephants into more communities, and
with them, revenue from eco-tourism. For example, Amboseli National Park and Nairobi
National Park share a portion of profits made from wildlife tourism with the local Masai
communities (PBS).

Cumulatively, through the contributions of locals, nonprofit Kenyan organizations, and
international donors, Kenya has made progress in healing the wounds of poaching. There is still
work to be done and a continuing danger of extinction for many species; however, the populations
of several endangered species in Kenya, such as rhinos and elephants, are growing once again.

Works Cited

“Conservation.” Lewa Wildlife Conservancy: Rhinos, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, 2018,

www.lewa.org/conservation/rhinos/.

“Elephants of Africa.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 5 Dec. 2014,

www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/elephants-africa-poaching-problem/11367/.

Draper, Robert. “They Are Watching You-and Everything Else on the Planet.”

Under Surveillance: Satellites, Cameras, and Phones Track Us, National Geographic

Society, 26 Jan. 2018,

www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/02/surveillance-watching-you/.

“Kenya Poaching Stats Out.” Save the Rhino International, Save The Rhino, Feb. 2018,

www.savetherhino.org/latest_news/blog/1791_kenya_poaching_stats_out.

Steyn, Paul. “New Maps May Help Chase Down Poachers Before They Strike.”

National Geographic, National Geographic Society, 22 Mar. 2017,

news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/wildlife-watch-data-poaching-wildlife-trafficking/?
_ga=2.163095871.2089237710.1520268789-641269364.1520268789.

“Wildlife Trafficking and Poaching: Kenya.” Wildlife Trafficking and Poaching: Kenya, Library of

Congress, 1 Jan. 2013, www.loc.gov/law/help/wildlife-poaching/kenya.php.