Kenya: Reducing Human-Elephant conflict on Mount Elgon

Conservation Value:

Mount Elgon is a solitary and inactive volcano located on the border between eastern Uganda and western Kenya. It is the second highest mountain in Kenya (4,321 m) and is topographically prominent and isolated. These geographic features make it an important source of water and biodiversity in the region.

The slopes of Mt Elgon are pitted with a series of caves that contain salt deposits. These caves are visited by wild elephants who gouge the cave walls with their tusks to lick the exposed salt. These are the only elephants known to go deep into caves to mine salt.

Threats:

The change in land use from forest to agriculture is putting pressure on habitat of the local elephant population. Encroaching agriculture cuts across the elephants’ movement routes, resulting in human-elephant conflict as elephants raid and consume farm crops.  This poses a danger to humans and elephants alike.

Actions & Results:

The project protects people, livelihoods, and elephants of Mount Elgon. This is done by monitoring and adapting to the changing landscape of human-elephant conflict. The Mount Elgon Elephant Program engages with farmers, community members, NGOs, and government to reduce illegal activities in formally protected elephant habitat.

The protection of elephants on Mount Elgon far exceeds the benefit of a single species. By protecting Mount Elgon’s ecosystem, we are also safeguarding an essential water tower and an island for endemic species.