NAIROBI, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Wednesday deployed 26 new fleet of vehicles to the country's wildlife sanctuaries to aid protection of iconic flora and fauna amid threats linked to human activities and climatic stresses.
Najib Balala, the cabinet secretary for tourism and wildlife while flagging of the new fleet of vehicles said the government is committed to strengthening protection of iconic wildlife species that are major source of tourism revenue.
"We have taken a keen interest in wildlife conservation, protection and management because it is linked to the Big Four Agenda," said Balala.
"Control of human-wildlife conflicts through crop protection and predation from wild carnivores cushion farmers from crop and livestock losses, ensuring food security in the country," he added.
Balala said acquisition of patrol vehicles is part of a five year modernization of wildlife management in the country to enhance its contribution to economic growth.
He said the vehicles will complement other measures like installation of electric fences to control human-wildlife conflicts that have escalated against a backdrop of shrinking habitat.
"The vehicles will be used for rapid response by wildlife rangers in case of poaching. They will also be used by researchers to help evaluate the status of our wildlife," said Balala.
He said the government will explore alternative funding sources to procure modern anti-poaching gear and cater for compensations linked to wildlife attacks on humans.
