Gamebird hunting in Kenya: developing local management models

Abstract

Simiyu, A. & Bennun, L. A. 2000. Gamebird hunting in Kenya: developing local management models. Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 56–60. In Kenya, management of sport hunting of gamebirds is centralised, with a government parastatal body, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), setting seasons, quotas and fees, and collecting revenue. Quotas are arbitrarily set, and the system provides few incentives for local communities to manage their gamebirds. Beginning in November 1993, we have been developing a model system in which the responsibility for monitoring gamebird populations and managing shooting is assumed by pastoral landowners. On Mbirikani Group Ranch in southern Kenya, two local field assistants were employed by the ranch to provide information on hunting areas in the field, and check adherence to quotas. They were also trained to collect regular data on relative abundance and breeding condition of two focal species, Yellow-necked Spurfowl Francolinus leucoscepus and Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris. By agreement with the group ranch committee, all bookings are handled by an individual hunter who also guarantees a minimum annual return. Over three years, direct earnings from gamebird hunting increased nine-fold, to c. US $6 400 annually. The success of this system, which is now being replicated elsewhere, suggests that gamebird hunting can generate significant income for local pastoral communities in arid and semi-arid areas in Kenya.