Jocelyn Weyala Burudi, Eszter Tormáné Kovács, Krisztián Katona

Use of camera traps in monitoring human-wildlife interactions around the Nairobi National Park Kenya

Introduction

Use of camera traps in monitoring human-wildlife interactions around the nairobi national park kenya. Explore human-wildlife interactions near Nairobi National Park using camera traps. Identify species, human activities, and conflicts to improve coexistence in Kenya.

Abstract

With the human populations in Africa constantly increasing, protected areas are faced with the threat of encroachment. The areas neighbouring wildlife parks have been converted to human settlements with varied anthropogenic activities. Expansive conversion of land for agricultural practices and clearance of space for infrastructural development around protected areas have resulted in increased human-wildlife interactions and potential conflicts. This study employed the use of camera traps on 3 farms on the southern border of the Nairobi National Park-Kenya to find out which wildlife species stray into the community areas, how frequently the species visit the area, what anthropogenic activities are practised and what potential conflicts can be associated with specific species. The images captured were analyzed using the Timelapse software. The common species observed were ungulates (zebras and giraffes) and carnivores (lions, jackals and hyenas). The ungulates visited the area during the day while most carnivores were seen at night. The main human activity in the area is livestock rearing. Dirt road networks in the area are frequently used by humans and shared with wildlife thus the potential conflicts were livestock predation and threats to human lives. Based on our results additional camera traps are recommended to be installed in more locations and should be used over a long period of time to monitor human-wildlife interactions with the aim of finding better mitigation methods for their coexistence.

Review

This study addresses a critically important and timely issue concerning human-wildlife interactions (HWI) around protected areas, particularly in the context of increasing human populations and urban encroachment in Africa. The choice of Nairobi National Park, with its unique position bordering a major metropolitan area, makes this research highly relevant for understanding the dynamics of coexistence at such an interface. The methodology employing camera traps is well-suited for non-invasive monitoring of wildlife presence and human activities in these shared landscapes, and the stated objectives—identifying species, visitation frequency, anthropogenic activities, and potential conflicts—are clear and pertinent to the overarching problem. The research employed camera traps on three farms along the southern border of Nairobi National Park, analyzing images with Timelapse software. The findings reveal the common presence of both ungulates (zebras, giraffes) and carnivores (lions, jackals, hyenas) in community areas, with a clear temporal segregation where ungulates are more active during the day and carnivores at night. Livestock rearing is identified as the primary human activity, and shared dirt road networks are noted as potential hotspots for HWI, leading to risks of livestock predation and threats to human lives. While these initial findings provide valuable insights into species composition and activity patterns, the limited scope of "three farms" and the implied short duration of the study restrict the generalizability of these observations across the entire park boundary, leaving questions about the overall scale and variability of HWI. In conclusion, this study offers a valuable preliminary snapshot of human-wildlife interactions around the Nairobi National Park, effectively identifying key species involved, their temporal activity patterns, and the types of potential conflicts arising from shared spaces and resources. Despite its inherent limitations in spatial and temporal scope, it lays a crucial foundation for understanding these complex dynamics. The authors' recommendation for installing additional camera traps in more locations and over an extended period is highly justified and essential for gathering more comprehensive and robust data. Expanding on this initial work would be vital for developing evidence-based mitigation strategies and informing land-use planning to promote more harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife in this rapidly changing landscape.

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