EMBU — During a conservation awareness event, Dr. Jim Justus Nyamu, an elephant conservation activist, emphasized the urgent need for concerted efforts to protect elephants from escalating threats due to climate change, poaching, and conflicts with humans.

According to Kenya News Agency, who spoke in Embu while on a conservation walk from Nairobi to Addis Ababa, these three factors are the most significant threats to elephant survival on the African continent. Known as the 'Elephant Man', Nyamu highlighted the critical situation during a tree planting session with the Kenya Forest Service at Camp Ndunda in the Njukiiri Forest. This event also aimed to draw attention to the forest's role in elephant conservation.

Dr. Nyamu pointed out the adverse effects of land demand on elephant populations, noting that encroachment and habitat fragmentation have disrupted natural migratory corridors, further endangering the species. He called on communities around Mt. Kenya to participate actively in forest conservation efforts, which are vital not only for elephants but also for other species like the Mountain Bongo.

Reflecting on historical data, Nyamu noted that Kenya's elephant numbers had drastically fallen from 200,000 to 20,000 by 1989. However, the 2021 national wildlife census showed some recovery, with the population at 36,280, indicating some success in conservation efforts but also underscoring the need for continued vigilance.