Impacts of feeding on olive baboons: a case study of lake nakuru National park. LYDIA

Abstract

The feeding of wildlife has become a popular means by which tourists and tour operators can facilitate close observation and interaction with wildlife in the wild. These practices are widespread and have variety of impacts on the wildlife, on the tourists, local communities and organization e.g. Kenya Wildlife Service. Deliberate and long term provision of food to wildlife has been shown to alter natural behavior patterns and population levels thereby increasing cases of human - wildlife conflicts. It has also resulted in the dependency of animals on the human provided foods and their habitual contact to human. Intra and inter-species aggression has also occurred where wildlife, in their efforts to obtain food, have harmed one another and harmed tourists as observed and experienced in Lake Nakuru National Park. However, there are psychological, social and economic benefits that have been experienced on the human side of the interaction example is the utility value of viewing wildlife. The issue of feeding for tourism is controversial with little consensus regarding how it should be managed. The purpose of this research was to provide a better understanding of the impacts of feeding on olive baboons of Lake Nakuru National Park and propose aiding development programs and measures that should be integrated to help reduces cases of human baboon’s conflicts in the park. The study was carried out under the following objectives; to investigate impacts of feeding on olive baboons, to establish to what level feeding affects olive baboons, tourists, local community and the park, to investigate the behavior of baboons around feeding area, to establish the types of human baboon conflict in LNNP. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, the target population comprised the households living adjacent to the park, Kenya wildlife staff members, tourists as well as other stakeholders such as Hotel and Lodges operators. The study adopted empirical evidence for the analyses and presentation of data. In quantitative techniques, the analyses was characterized by the use of statistical package for social science, proportions, percentages and average to arrive at a general picture for the generation of conclusion. Qualitative data from questionnaires and active observation of baboons around feeding sites was analyzed thematically and were employed in the computation of statistical tables, bar graphs as well as charts. The study established that crop damages has affected both large and small scale farmers around Lake Nakuru National Park contributing to large economically losses suffered by the local communities who depend on farming for their livelihood. Human attacks, threat, injuries, and property destruction were some of the mostly reported damages. Majority of the respondents indicated that the trend of human baboon conflict over the years have being increasing. The study also established that there are mitigation measures adopted by both the local community and KWS towards baboon invasions. Example of such mitigation measures by locals included, use of scare crows, scaring and chasing away of the baboons, calling KWS officers and killing whereas KWS adopted regular patrols to scare and chase the baboons back to the park using blunt bullets, responding to calls from the local on problematic troops and on extreme cases elimination of the troop leader of the baboons. The study concluded that Kenya Wildlife Service patrol measures and responses to calls has helped reduce human baboon conflicts however more needs to be done. The study also concluded that some of the challenges faced while undertaking conservation measures were; communities lacked necessary skills and training in conservation practices, the negative perception and attitude by the locals on wildlife policies and conservation management. The study recommended that communities must be involved in park management planning and should be consulted in policy formulation, baboon prove cabbage bins should also be adopted by the communities living adjacent to park boundaries in order to deter baboons away. The study concluded that though there were high baboon cases observed during the lunch time and morning time at 91 and 82 respectively there were no statistical difference in the cases observed across the time category. P>0.05, P=0.618633 The study recommendations were; the use of baboon proof cabbage bins, enforcement of sever fines and punishment to those found feeding baboons or any other wildlife, fastening the compensation process for the affected people as a result of damages or death, educating the local community on the preventive and mitigation measures against baboon invasions, fostering good relationship between the locals and the management of the park, coming up with watch towers among others.