[Source: The Standard, by Martin Njiru]
Ten elephants strayed into residential areas in Maralal town, damaging property of unknown value and terrifying locals.
The jumbos that strayed from Kirisia Forest roamed the town for hours, confining residents in their houses on Monday evening.
They destroyed fences and structures. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers who were called in to drive them away said the wild animals were following Loikas stream in search of water.
“By between 7pm and 8pm on Monday, the elephants had already arrived. You couldn’t even get out of your house to go to the toilet, as elephants were feeding on crops near the door.” said Jane Namoe, a resident of Loikas.
Local Nyumba Kumi chairman Solomon Wanyeki and his vice Gulleid Mohammed said they had been receiving many calls from locals complaining that elephants were invading their villages.
Last year, Kalama Community Wildlife Conservancy and Save The Elephants started a campaign to encourage local communities to protect wildlife corridors.
[Full article: The Standard, by Martin Njiru]
