Seeing elephants, buffaloes, and other animals in the wild is a major reason why people visit Kidepo Valley National Park. However, animals do not just stay in the park, and often wander into the fields of communities that border the park, eating and destroying the food the people need to live. This creates conflicts between communities and wildlife that can result into injuries or death of both people and wildlife.
Community Wildlife Scouts help to prevent this. Scouts are from the communities that are impacted by human/wildlife conflicts; they are trained and equipped to scare off wildlife that encroaches on people’s crops. They also conduct patrols and remove snares that poachers lay to trap animals.
Over 600 volunteer (unpaid) community wildlife scouts operate in the area bordering Kidepo Valley National Park, supported by a community conservancy called KKAKKA. They do this to protect their communities and the wildlife, but they need equipment and materials to be successful in their work. This includes bangers, chili powder, noise makers and fuel for motorbikes as well as equipment like boots, ponchos, torches, and a first aid kit.
The cost to effectively equip and enable a community wildlife scout is approximately US$360/year per scout or $30/month. Supporting community wildlife scouts in the area helps to protect people and wildlife, ensuring the animals you see today will be there for your children tomorrow.
Donations are managed by a 5-person committee that includes two community representatives, two lodge companies and a conservation NGO working in the area to ensure maximum transparency and ensure all funds go to support the work of community wildlife scouts.
NatureScapes is an organization that is supporting sustainable tourism initiatives globally and is helping the communities of Kidepo with this initiative.
To see a video of the program, please click this link:
For more information on KKAKKA Community Conservancy please visit: https://kkakkawildlife.org/