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Theatre
of Conflict
Graphic showing
the Hell’s Gate National Park, where a Human-Wildlife
conflict is raging.
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Disaster
looms at Kenya’s Hell’s Gate National Park
By Martin Makembo
A MONUMENTAL human-wildlife conflict threatens
the survival of a precious national heritage in Kenya.
Humans and game are locked in a fierce tussle for water that
spells doom for the 68 square-kilometre Hell’s Gate National
Park in Naivasha, a popular tourist destination located about
110km north-west of Nairobi, the capital city.
There are now fears that tourists who flock to the park may
be forced to by-pass it because of the dwindling animal numbers.
Reports indicate that marauding hippos have killed 10 people
in the nearby Karagita village since 2001. The attacks have
left another 20 with serious injuries.
The authorities attribute the clash to the mounting human encroachment
that has blocked the beasts’ access to pasture.
The animals can hardly reach the water point following the sealing
off of key access corridors to Lake Naivasha by cut flower farmers.
The hippos have in the recent past turned hostile to people
living near the lake, say the authorities.
Hell’s Gate—whose altitude is 8, 284ft—is
among recent additions to Kenya’s long catalogue of national
game parks. Established in 1982, it teems with unique animals,
including the honey badger, the ant-bear, the dik dik and the
clip .
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