Expanding the scope of challenges to human-wildlife coexistence, and the implications for conservation: a case study of Laikipia, Kenya

ABSTRACT

This case study sought to broaden the scope of inquiry into factors influencing human-wildlife coexistence beyond immediately tangible wildlife impacts and challenges with flagship wildlife species. Maasai pastoralists in Laikipia County, Kenya, were interviewed regarding challenges with wildlife, particularly perceptions of disease transmission from wildlife to domestic livestock. Responses revealed experiences with numerous diseases and multiple perceived associations between wildlife and livestock disease. Responses aligned with prior research that elephants severely compromise pastoralists’ well-being, but concerns were overwhelmingly articulated as fear affecting daily activities rather than in more directly quantifiable terms. Findings did not indicate concerns with lions, despite their focus in scholarship and conservation initiatives. Responses indicated the need to view human-wildlife coexistence more broadly to include species beyond iconic wildlife, and to recognize that subjective concerns (e.g., fear, disease transmission to livestock) in addition to quantifiable events (e.g., human deaths, livestock predation) might affect attitudes toward wildlife conservation.

KEYWORDS:

• Ecotourism
• human-wildlife coexistence
• human-wildlife conflict
• livestock disease
• pastoralism
• wildlife conservation
• wildlife disease

Acknowledgments

Sincere gratitude to Patrick Apollo Miliko and Nicholas Piyiet for their interpreting skills and support with conducting interviews; the community members who shared their experiences, knowledge, and perspectives; and the staff of Mpala Research Centre for their support with this research. The study benefitted greatly from the guidance and support of thesis advisors Rebecca Hardin and Johannes Foufopoulos at the University of Michigan.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical Standards

Research approval was granted by the University of Michigan and the Office of the President of the Republic of Kenya and National Museums of Kenya (Permits NCST/RRI/12/1/BS-011/064 and NCST/RRI/12/1/BS-011/18). Permission was additionally obtained from the communities’ joint Chief, and a meeting held with Council members to explain the study’s purpose prior to conducting interviews.

Additional information

Funding

Research informing this article was supported by funding from multiple entities within the University of Michigan and The Explorer’s Club.