Conservation of Terrestrial Flora and Fauna in Rachuonyo South, Kenya: A Focus on Effects of Hunting and Gathering

Abstract

Terrestrial flora and fauna species are at the brink of disappearance yearly due to increase in human population. Yearly, the extinction rate of these species are 25% and 34% globally and 69% and 68% in Kenya. However, the depletion rate and the status of species in Rachuonyo South is not specified in any literature and yet, the rise of human population in Rachuonyo South has increased anthropogenic activities for instance 74% and 97% of population depends on agriculture and wood fuel respectively. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of hunting and gathering on terrestrial flora and fauna species conservation. A cross-sectional survey design was used by application of Stratified Random Sampling to generate a sample size of 379 household heads. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. The results indicated that there were 80 and 25 terrestrial flora and fauna species threatened. The terrestrial flora and fauna species were in a declining trend (mean=1.96, standard deviation=0.487 and mean=1.97, standard deviation=0.462) respectively. The frequency of hunting and gathering were extremely high (mean=2.90, standard deviation= 1.006). Hunting and gathering were greatly affecting terrestrial flora and fauna species (mean=1.22, standard deviation=0.414). The respondents were not sure whether there were effective conservation measures in place to mitigate the effects of the mentioned hunting and gathering (mean=1.70, standard deviation=0.457). In conclusion, the survival of terrestrial flora and fauna species in Rachuonyo South Sub County was greatly threatened by hunting and gathering. The local communities should be involved in conservation measures.