LAIKIPIA WILDLIFE FORUM

West Laikipia Fence Project Monthly Report January 2009

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Nyumba T O
LAIKIPIA WILDLIFE FORUM

ROYAL NETHERLANDS EMBASSY

LAIKIPIA ELEPHANT PROJECT

Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 Fence sections and committees ........................................................................................................................... 1 Ex-Erok, Mutara and Pesi................................................................................................................................ 1 Matigari ........................................................................................................................................................... 3 Laikipia West Nature Conservancy................................................................................................................. 3 Lombala, Ngorare and Kifuko......................................................................................................................... 2 Fence Breakages and Voltages ........................................................................................................................ 2 Crop Raids....................................................................................................................................................... 2 Conclusions and Recommendations.................................................................................................................... 7

List of Tables
Table 1: Fence breakages and crop raids............................................................................................................. 2

List of Figures
Figure 3: Fence Breakages and crop raids along the fence line .......................................................................... 5 Figure 4: Distribution of fence breakages. .......................................................................................................... 6

List of Plates
Plate 1: Pesi farmers clear the fence.................................................................................................................... 2
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Plate 2: Ex-Erok fence section ............................................................................................................................ 2 Plate 3: Fence status at Check point on the Mutara fence section....................................................................... 3

Introduction This report draws data and discussions from the month of December, 2008 and field work for the month of January, 2009. I had consultative meetings with the senior KWS warden in Nanyuki and KWS Rumuruti and Nyahururu wardens at Rumuruti station to deliberate on the role of KWS in the fence management. I met the ADC Mutara management to discuss measures in readiness for the approaching dry season, the fence upgrade and enforcement. However, we could not come to any conclusions since the new manager (Mr. Ouma) is yet to report. I also met the Mutara chief and assistant chief over the fence condition at Check point and agreed that the chief will call a baraza on the 10th February to address the issue. One community meeting was held at Lombala where a fence committee was formed. Fence clearing in Ex-Erok, Pesi and Mutara were successfully completed. However, fence voltages have remained low. Pesi section is still reporting higher voltages (8.5 as at 16th January, 2009) which do not seem to concur with the number of fence breakages (25 incidents). The un-upgraded fence sections are heavily breached in Ex-Erok and Pesi. Overall, Ex-Erok and Pesi sections have reported high number of breakages; 26 and 25 incidents respectively with high crop raid incidents of 41 and 15 respectively. Mutara and Ex-Erok fence sections are heavily breached by humans. Thome-A farmers recorded first crop raids in December but have since formed guarding groups and may be able to deter elephants effectively. Fence sections and committees
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Ex-Erok, Mutara and Pesi

Between 14th and 21st January 2009, fence clearing in Ex-Erok, Pesi and Mutara were successfully completed (Plate 1). The Pesi fence section had a lot of vegetation (see cover picture). However, contrary to my expectations, this did not reflect on the fence voltage which was 7.1 on 13th January before clearing was done and stood at 8.6 on 16th January after clearing was done. While elephants have ceased from breaking the Mutara fence section, local residents at Check point (a local trading centre) and ADC employees have done a lot of damage to the fence which include stepping on the wires to jump over, cutting the W insulators, bending the outriggers to short the power, and putting heavy objects on the lower wires to create wider spaces between strands for passage (Plate 3). According to the locals, they have created all these paths (Plate 3) to access water from the tank within ADC ranch. The tank is about 100 Meters from Check Point centre. At Ex-Erok, pastoralists are using very sharp tools to cut the Ws (Plate 2) and use forked sticks to create wider spaces between strands for passage by cattle. Up to 1km of the fence line has a pattern of Ws cut and cattle tracks at intervals.

Plate 1: Pesi farmers clear the fence

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W insulator cut open using a sharp object at Ex-Erok.

Plate 2: Ex-Erok fence section 2

Fence wire hanging loosely off the post

Broken W insulator

Footpaths across the fence at Check Point

Plate 3: Fence status at Check point on the Mutara fence section

Matigari The planned ring fence around Matigari is set to begin in February. The LWF CCPM has also
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planned a training session for the community leaders to ensure they understand the holistic process of HEC mitigation and their role in the fence management and maintenance. A Bill of Quantities has been submitted to the LWF CCPM for action. Laikipia West Nature Conservancy Mwenje fence section upgrade is still stalled. The community, however, seems ready to participate in the fence upgrade process by providing labour. A meeting called by the area chief on 20th January, 2009 made passionate appeals to the LNC and the wider community to embrace cooperation to make the fence upgrade and maintenance a success. During the meeting, LNC presented a fence status report dated September, 2008 highlighting what has been accomplished, challenges and amount of materials in store (a copy of the report is filled by the fence officer in Nanyuki).

Lombala, Ngorare and Kifuko Three farms were visited by elephants in December along Lombala fence section (Table 1). However, Kifuko and Ngorare have reported no fence breakages or HEC incidents. Between December 16th 2008 and January 20th 2009, the dangler on Kifuko-Lombala fence near Rumuruti town has been brought down three times. According to eye witnesses, large trucks are responsible. Lombala ranch has been active in replacing the danglers. Ngorare ranch management has taken bold steps in discouraging people from breaking through the fence. In the month of January a number of individuals were arrested and prosecuted for illegal grazing and destruction of property. According to David, this has gone a long way in deterring people with ill motives and enhanced security. Fence Breakages and Voltages
Fence breakage distribution remained the same with Ex-Erok and Pesi sections recording high incidents (Figure 1, Figure 2 and 5). Ex-Erok and Pesi recorded an increase in fence breakages while all other sections reported a decline (Table 1). According to the Mutara scout Wanjau, the three breakages were by elephants finding their way back into the ranch from other areas.

Crop Raids There was an overall an increase in crop raids compared to November. Ex-Erok, Pesi, Olmoran and Mwenje still reported the highest raids (Table 1). According to the Lombala scout, elephants crossed through a river to access farms in Thome, hence the four crop raids and no fence breakages.

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Fence Section Ex-erok Mutara Pesi Kifuko Lombala Ngurare Mwenje Olmoran

November Fence breakages Crop raids 6 23 10 14 6 3 0 0 2 0 1 0 12 32 10 40

December Fence breakages Crop raids 26 41 3 0 25 15 0 0 0 4 0 0 8 19 6 23

Table 1: Fence breakages and crop raids

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Figure 1: Fence Breakages and crop raids along the fence line

Figure 2: Distribution of fence breakages

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Figure 3: Distribution of crop raids.

Conclusions and Recommendations 1. ADC and OPC need to urgently complete the fence maintenance agreement to ensure that qualified personal and time is dedicated to the maintenance and enforcement of the ADC fence. 2. Pesi fence section voltages need to be checked out to be sure the voltage readings are normal. The voltmeter seems to be giving unconvincingly higher voltages than other parts of the fence. 3. The Check point fence line needs more input from the KWS and the Provincial administration to ensure compliance and respect for the fence. At the moment it seems there is no one to take responsibility for any breaches by people. 4. ADC needs to re-evaluate the water situation around Check point. At the moment, this seems to be the major excuse for crossing into the ranch to access water.

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Fence Voltage for the Month of December, 2008

ADC MUTARA
NYAGUTHII PM BONDENI AM PM 7.2 7.2 7.2 7.2 7.2 7.5

DATE

7.5 7.3 7.3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 5.4 5.4 5.4 5.4 5.4 0.9 6.7 6.7 0.8 7.3 6.5 6.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.3 7.3 4.5 4.5 5.0 5.4 5.4 5.4 5.4 5.4 4.8 6.7 6.7 7.3 7.3 6.5 6.5 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.0 8.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3

AM 0.9 0.4 0.6 7.2 0.5 6.0 6.4 0.0 6.0 5.8 6.9 6.1 3.8 6.8 7.1 4.8 0.9 0.6 0.1 0.0 4.0 2.1 0.3 0.6 0.8 0.1 0.4 0.4 0.7 1.2 6.9 6.1 5.6 6.6 7.1 6.8 6.0 7.2 6.3 7.0 6.8 7.6 5.6 7.0 6.9 7.2 7.4 6.1 5.6 6.6 7.1 5.9 7.3 6.0 5.9 6.7 7.5 6.5 6.1 6.9

GATE AM PM 6.6 5.6 6.4 6.8 6.0 7.3 6.1 6.6 7.1 7.8 7.0 6.2 6.4 6.8 4.8 7.3 6.6 6.9 4.4 7.9 6.9 8.1 7.3 7.3 6.2 7.9 3.2 6.9 7.6 6.9 6.6 7.3 6.2 8.4 6.6 7.3 6.1 7.6 7.3 7.9 8.1 7.1 0.9 6.6 6.4 7.0 5.8 6.6 3.2 7.6 6.9 8.5 6.8 7.6 6.4 6.8 6.8 6.1 7.6 6.9

PESI RIVER AM PM 6.5 6.4 6.5 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.0 6.0 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 3.8 6.1 6.1 3.8 6.0 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 3.8 6.1 0.4 6.1 1.1 6.1 3.7 6.1 5.9 5.9 5.9 6.1 5.4 6.1 3.7 6.1 KIAMBOGO AM PM 7.6 7.8 7.5 7.4 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3

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31
2.7 6.6 6.1 7.2 5.8 6.5 5.3 6.1 6.2 8.3

3.0

7.6

6.1

7.3

6.5

6.5

5.3

6.1

5.5

8.3

Average Monthly voltage

Key Breached Power switched off No data