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WWF enlists youth in Mara conservation

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Wildebeest and zebras crossing a river in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. file photo | nmg

Conservation in the Maasai Mara game reserve has received a boost after the World Wildlife Fund sponsored 41 youths to help protect the park.

Mr Maurice Nyaligu, WWF coordinator for elephant work in the Mara landscape office said the scouts undergoing paramilitary training, will attend the Kenya Wildlife Service Field Training School in Manyani, Taita Taveta County.

The youths will be drawn from communities living around Kimintet, Kerinkani, Oloirien, Oloisukut and Siana conservation areas.

“The initiative follows complaints from communities of an increase in human-wildlife conflicts. It aims at strengthening local Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and protecting threatened species,” said Mr Nyaligu.

He said a rise in human-wildlife conflicts is threatening the African Elephant in its natural range as people kill elephants when they destroy their crops or attack humans.

“The programme will be undertaken in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service and will take six months on average. After completing the course, the scouts will be deployed to various community conservancies.