Contraction of Wildlife Dispersal Area and Displacement by Human Activities in Kimana Group Ranch Near Amboseli National Park, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Kimana Group Ranch area is a critical area for Amboseli, Chyulu, Tsavo West national parks, and community sanctuaries in the Tsavo – Amboseli Ecosystem. However, growing human populations and associated activities are causing range contraction and wildlife displacement in this dispersal area. This study investigated the contraction of wildlife dispersal area through field mapping and spatial analysis. Human activities displaced wildlife from 140.01 km² (55.74%) of KGR, leaving only about 44% of the land for wildlife. The actual area occupied by these activities was 57.83 km² (23% of KGR). Wildlife kept 0.23 ± 0.04 km from Maasai homes, 0.18 ± 0.02 km from roads, 0.07 ± 0.04 km from electric fences, and 0.21 ± 0.02 km from livestock. No wildlife was seen close to agricultural areas, which covered 0.89 km2, 0.27%. Kimana and Namelok electric fences covered 52.98 km² (21.10%), but displaced wildlife from 69.29 km² (27.61%). Although Maasai homes covered only 0.24 km² (1.09%), they displaced wildlife from 28.11 km² (11.19%). Spatially, clusters of human activities were cutting off Amboseli and KCWS, forcing the wildlife to find alternative routes with Tsavo / Chyulu. Therefore, Kimana is diminishing as wildlife dispersal area and this will affect the viability of protected areas.

Keywords:

Corridors, Kenya, Kimana Group Ranch, Tsavo-Amboseli ecosystem, Wildlife dispersal areas, Wildlife displacement.