Wildlife Snaring by the Local Community in Ruma National Park, Kenya: Can Conservation Tourism be an Alternative Livelihood Strategy?
George Ariya

Abstract
The study was conducted at Ruma National Park within Lambwe Valley and looked at snaring of wildlife by the local community. The key objectives were to establish the level of wildlife utilization by the locals; the types and sources of wildlife snaring materials; the de-snaring activities undertaken within the park and the possible viability of conservation tourism development as an alternative livelihood strategy. The study adopted the survey design through structured questionnaires to collect information from the local community. Simple random technique was used to select the respondents who comprised the households living adjacent to the park. The data collected was subjected to descriptive and inferential tests. The study established that majority of the local community carry out snaring. Snares were sourced from vandalism and from locals working in sugar companies. The snaring materials ranged from galvanized steel and copper sourced from telephone lines, aerial supporters of telephone and electricity posts, cranes, park fence and sisal plantations for sisal ropes. Different snares targeted different wild animal species. Snaring activities were high at the beginning of the year and mid-year around August to October. Tourism activities within and around the park were dismal. The study concludes that the region has high tourism potential and development of conservation tourism in the area could abate current snaring of wildlife by the local communities.

Full Text: PDF