Kwale County – Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde has announced a comprehensive strategy to combat the poaching of Sable antelopes and halt the illegal wildlife trade in Shimba Hills National Reserve. Home to the critically endangered Sable antelope, the reserve is a unique ecosystem within Kwale County, encompassing parts of Shimba Hills and Matuga sub-counties and standing as one of the largest coastal forests in East Africa.

According to Kenya News Agency, the Sable antelope population is under severe threat from poaching, habitat loss, predation, and inbreeding, which have led to a drastic decline in their numbers. The Sable antelope, known for its impressive ringed horns and striking appearance, is a vital part of the reserve’s biodiversity but has seen its numbers fall from 265 in 1960 to just 56 in the 2023 wildlife census.

Orinde emphasized the critical importance of preserving wildlife for the sake of tourism revenue and the moral obligation to prevent species extinction. He called for enhanced patrols by Kenya Wildlife Service wardens in known poaching hotspots and highlighted the launch of the second edition of the recovery and action plan for the Sable Antelope (2022-2031), a collaborative effort between KWS, conservation partners, and stakeholders. The plan aims to preserve and restore habitats, strengthen anti-poaching efforts, promote sustainable land use, and actively involve local communities in conservation.

Addressing the challenge of human-wildlife conflict, which poses a significant threat to both conservation efforts and community safety, Orinde urged all community members to join in the protection of the Sable antelope. Chiefs and their assistants in the affected sub-counties have been directed to engage with local communities to halt illegal wildlife activities, raise awareness about conservation, and promote sustainable practices.

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani underscored the need for the benefits of wildlife conservation to be felt by local communities, advocating for enhanced collaboration between conservation organizations, national authorities, and local residents to reverse the trend of poaching. She stressed the importance of maintaining good relations between KWS personnel and communities living near parks and reserves, and outlined county plans to implement mitigation measures like constructing dams, pans, and boreholes to address human-wildlife conflict exacerbated by climate change and population growth.