Human Wildlife Conflicts in Meru District, Kenya, 1920-2008

Human-wildlife conflicts have been a major problem in parts of Meru District since the 1920s. These conflicts involve loss of human lives to wild animals as well as predation on livestock and destruction of crops. Elephants, buffaloes and monkeys are a threat to crop production in the district. The parts of the district that are most affected by the conflicts are those surrounding Mount Kenya Forest, Imenti Forests, Ngaya Forest and Meru National Park. Other affected areas are those surrounding Tharaka Hills. This work which is based on a study that was carried out in 2009 narrates issues surrounding these conflicts in the district. The study majorly focused on archival and oral sources.