Influence of Cultural Beliefs on Human Wildlife Conflict of Residents of Amboseli Conservancies, Kajiado County, Kenya
Abstract
Human-wildlife conflict has intensified due to land-use fragmentation driven by population growth and human activities. This study aimed to assess the impact of socio-economic development on human-wildlife conflict in Amboseli conservancies, Kajiado County, with a focus on the influence of cultural beliefs. A mixed-methods approach and convergent parallel design were employed. Data were collected from 10 key informants, including KWS rangers, and a sample of 38 participants from a population of 76,671 in the Amboseli conservancies community. Primary data were gathered through face-to-face interviews and semi-structured questionnaires, and analyzed using SPSS version 29, applying descriptive, content, and inferential statistics. Results were presented in tables and supplemented by qualitative data organized into common themes. The study found that cultural beliefs significantly influence human-wildlife conflict (composite mean score of 3.81). It recommends that the government promote sustainable development by integrating wildlife conservation into broader efforts addressing poverty, food security, and climate change. The State Department for Economic Planning should also facilitate dialogue between Maasai communities, conservation organizations, and government agencies.
Keywords
Beliefs, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Conservation Practices, Indigenous Communities, Wildlife Management
Citation
Sadallah, M.P., Sankale, J., & Wangari, J. (2024). Influence of cultural beliefs on human wildlife conflict of residents of Amboseli Conservancies, Kajiado County, Kenya . Journal of Africana Articles, 2(11),1-15. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13746422
