The Kenya Wildlife Service plans to erect an electric fence worth Sh150 million around the South Kitui Game Reserve. KWS warden in charge of the park Joseph Kavi said the plan is meant to create more space for wildlife because the reserve is a dispersal area of the Tsavo East National Park.
Kavi yesterday said they have asked the International Fund for Animal Welfare to fund the project. "The reserve is a traditional dispersal area and elephant corridor between Amboseli, Tsavo and Meru habitat for the wild animals but has been undeveloped for a long time. We want to exploit its potential," said the KWS official.
The warden noted that human-wildlife conflict has increased because animals like elephants, hippos and snakes often move to farms to look for food and sometimes, people encroach on the animals‘ territory.
Kavi said the reserve has unusual attraction with a number of unique wild animals and birds. He said the fence will keep off game meat hunters and loggers. Charcoal burners have also encroached inthe park and are threatening the habitat for the animals, Kavi said.
Kitui County Council clerk George Wambua said the council has passed a resolution to revive the reserve to promote tourism in the region. "The reserve is a key pillar in development of a tourism circuit because it is in the middle of Coast and Mount Kenya circuit," Wambua said.
He also cited the Mutomo Plant Sanctuary as another resource that will be developed for research and tourism.
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201102210290.html