Two rare striped hyenas - reported to have magical properties - and a leopard have been trapped in Kajiado where human-wildlife conflict is on the rise.
The two hyenas, mainly found in North and East Africa, feature prominently in Middle Eastern and Asian folklore. Their body parts are considered magical and are used as talismans and charms in some parts of the Middle East, the KWS said.
Head of the Problem Animal Management Unit, Vincent Ongwae, told the Star on Sunday they were translocated to Chyulu National Park.
He said the three beasts were trapped on different dates and in the same area after the community complained about increased human-wildlife conflict.
“Local communities complained and our officers moved into the areas marked red and placed the traps. We left them and locals alerted us when the animals were trapped," Ongwae said.
He said the leopard that was trapped in the Nongopen area of Masimba was translocated on Saturday to Tsavo West National Park.
“We are succeeding because the local community acted as an early warning system," Ongwai said.
He said that on Saturday wardens drove five elephants out of Kajiado East.
“I have several units in Isara operating up to Merrueshi and another in Masimba. Our Kajiado Central office helped in controlling the elephants had invaded Solitei area,” Ongwae said.
Ongwae ruled out using guns or poison to eliminate the hyenas, saying they are rare and valuable.
“As much as they are eating livestock, we try to trap them and move them to safe areas. We thank local communities for helping in identifying troubled areas so we can act," he said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
