This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
As the world grapples with the economic and social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Kenya's wildlife has been quietly benefiting from the reduced human activity.
With the tourism and travel industry severely impacted, the country's national parks and reserves have seen a significant decrease in tourist traffic, allowing animals to roam freely without human interference.
According to Dr. Winnie Kiiru, founder of CHD-ConservationKenya and senior technical adviser for the Elephant Protection Initiative, the reduced human activity has led to a decrease in poaching and a increase in wildlife populations.
"The clean air and reduced pollution have been a welcome change for both humans and wildlife," Dr. Kiiru said. "The national parks and reserves have become a safe haven for animals, and the ongoing rains have ensured that the herbivores are well-fed and breeding, while the carnivores hunt with little effort."
However, as the pandemic comes to an end, conservation efforts are needed to protect the country's wildlife heritage. Dr. Kiiru warns that human-wildlife conflict is likely to escalate as levels of resilience in vulnerable communities reduce, and the bushmeat trade may increase as residents kill animals for food and poachers hunt endangered species to stockpile for speculation.
"Mobilisation of the public to support conservation of wildlife and wild spaces is needed now more than ever to restart the tourism sector," Dr. Kiiru emphasized. "Kenyan people are proud of their wildlife heritage, and this is the time for them to demonstrate this pride by investing in post-Covid revival of the economy."
Published on June 8, 2020
