Livestock and wildlife peacefully coexist in Kenya

A study of more than 3 500km2 of privately owned land in central Kenya has shown that humans and their livestock can, in the right circumstances, share territory with wild animals – to the benefit of all.

Entomology professor at the University of Illinois in the US, Brian Allan, said the study focused on Laikipia County, which is home to 10% of Kenya’s wildlife, including white and black rhino, Grévy’s zebra and African wild dogs, but has no national parks or wildlife reserves. “Most people depend on livestock for income and almost 70% of the land is devoted to large-scale ranching or pastoralism,” he said.

According to Prof Felicia Keesing, who also took part in the study, wildlife tourism was another source of revenue for landowners.

“This is leading to some people removing traditional barriers between livestock and wildlife because there are benefits to having multiple sources of income.”

There were, however, potential downsides, as wild cats sometimes preyed on domestic animals. Wildlife and livestock would also compete for water and grazing resources, and would share diseases, including tick-borne infections, she said.

Certain management practices could, however, enhance the viability of livestock operations while also maximising wildlife abundance and health on the same land, the study found. – Alan Harman

Rachel Chaplin-Kramer ABOVE: Livestock and wild mammals can benefit from grazing on the same land, according to a new study conducted in Kenya.