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Population of carnivores in Kenya a worrying statistic

The major roads reported to cause death to carnivores include: Nairobi-Mombasa highway (Tsavo National Parks area, and Salama – Machakos area; Isiolo-Archers post highway and Nairobi-Nakuru Highway (Naivasha area).

– Poorly managed tourism –

Unregulated tourism has the capacity to threaten carnivores. This is considered a particular problem in the Maasai Mara.

“A well-regulated tourism can make substantial contributions to carnivore conservation, through the revenue it generates for conservation, and by raising awareness,” recommended the report.

– Structural developments in parks –

There is no doubt that Kenya’s iconic Nairobi National Park is under threat with the country weighing the difficult balance between conservation and development, being the only city in the world with a natural ancient park within.

Sometimes the lions are killed by livestock farmers protecting their herds, other times they prowl residential areas giving residents a fright.

Key wildlife corridor for animals moving to find grazing grounds and water have been destroyed owing to structures being put on their path way.

The developments encroaching into the park include roads, railway lines among other infrastructure projects lined up.

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Conservationists say wildlife protection is a low priority for city officials struggling with multiple challenges in a grossly unequal capital of some 3.5 million people with overstretched basic services and infrastructure.

In Nairobi, lavish villas adjoin squalid slums and cramped high rise apartments.

The big cats are under growing pressure as one of Africa’s fastest growing cities expands onto ancient migration routes and hunting grounds, with conservationists and wildlife experts explaining that it is the people who have moved into the lions’ home ranges.

Lions are estimated to have declined in number by as much as three-quarters since 1980, and to occupy less than a tenth of their historic range across Africa.

There has never been a comprehensive nationwide large carnivore survey in Kenya thus making it difficult to determine the precise numbers of carnivores

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