• Kenya has made remarkable strides in elephant conservation in recent decades. The country's elephant population has rebounded from just 16,000 individuals in 1989 to over 36,280 as of the 2021 National Wildlife Census.
  • However, this hard-won progress has recently slowed due to intensifying challenges, including habitat loss, climate change, and persistent poaching.

As the world celebrated World Elephant Day on August 12, 2024, the Kenya Wildlife Service Director General, Dr. Erastus Kanga, has shared an ambitious plan to secure a brighter future for the country's iconic elephants.

Through a statement, Dr. Kanga said the new KWS Strategic Plan will address the threats elephants face in Kenya. “Elephants are integral to our ecosystems, yet their survival increasingly hinges on our ability to foster harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife," he said.

Kenya has made remarkable strides in elephant conservation in recent decades. The country's elephant population has rebounded from just 16,000 individuals in 1989 to over 36,280 as of the 2021 National Wildlife Census. However, this hard-won progress has recently slowed due to intensifying challenges, including habitat loss, climate change, and persistent poaching.

To address these threats, the KWS Strategic Plan 2024-2028 outlines a comprehensive roadmap focused on three key pillars: habitat restoration, conflict mitigation, and strengthening the value of elephants to local communities.

"In recent times, we have witnessed a rise in elephant mortalities due to human-elephant conflict, driven by increased intolerance stemming from negative interactions," Dr. Kanga acknowledged.

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The strategic vision aligns with global, regional, and national development agendas, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Africa Agenda 2063, and Kenya's Vision 2030.

This integrated approach ensures that conservation, coexistence, and wildlife-based tourism benefits are equitably distributed, empowering local communities as partners in safeguarding Kenya's elephants.