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Kenya: KWS Team Moves 30 Giraffes
Nairobi - The Kenya Wildlife Service is trying out a new, cheaper method of capturing and transferring wildlife.

The method, referred to as funnel-shaped mass capture, was on trial last week when KWS moved 30 giraffes from the Aberdare Country Club to a Sera Community Conservancy in Samburu district.

KWS is now using people instead of a helicopter to herd the animals into a lorry that is specially designed to handle the special cargo.

"The method is convenient and cost effective and it considers the safety of both the personnel and the animals," said KWS veterinary officer Dr Stephen Maina Chege.

He said the new method is cheaper than the use of a helicopter.

"It costs US$1,000-1,700 (Sh67,000-114,000) to hire a helicopter for an hour without including fuel and hiring a pilot," he said.

The other method of capturing animals is by immobilising them using anaesthesia.

Dr Chege says the method, which is mainly used on aggressive animals like elephants, is not only expensive but also puts the health of the animal at risk. A single jab costs at least Sh10,000.

Last week's operation to get a new home for 30 of the 47 giraffes at the Fairmont establishment started on August 14 and is slated to end on August 22.

It is a collaboration between KWS, Northern Rangeland Trust and Lewa Downs.

In relocating the animals, the KWS hopes to leave a population of 17 giraffes on the 1,500-acre land. The first seven giraffes had been taken there in 1988 and their population has grown beyond the land's carrying capacity.

Dr Chege said KWS also wanted to help build the capacity of the Sera community by stocking their conservancy with various animals.

For the next two months KWS experts will be monitoring the progress of the transferred animals, especially to find out their ability to adapt to the new environment.

Two scouts from the conservancy are expected to be updating the KWS on the status of the animals.

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