PASTORALIST-WILDLIFE RELATIONSHIP IN THE AMBOSELI ECOSYSTEM SOUTHEASTERN KENYA: A CASE STUDY OF MAASAI COMMUNITY

Purpose: To establish the pastoralist-wildlife relationship in the Amboseli Ecosystem South Eastern Kenya.Methodology: The study utilized a descriptive research design.Findings: Results revealed that there exists wildlife based benefits. These benefits were bursary for education, construction of schools, supply of water, employment, tourism and electric fence. Results also revealed that majority of the respondents indicated that these benefits were inadequate. Results also revealed that human-wildlife conflicts occurred frequently. The conflicts were as a result of crop damage, wild animals preying on the domestic animals, pasture competition, poaching, wild animals killing human beings and property destruction. Further, results revealed that the economic costs of living with wildlife were loss of livestock, crop destruction and loss of breadwinners. The non-economic costs were very minimal. They included severe injuries and loss of lives. Results also revealed that the respondents would feel very good if the wildlife was to be confined in parks. The respondents also felt that the government/KWS would assist in curbing the problem of human-wildlife conflict through compensating those affected, protecting them from the wildlife, putting an electric fence. Similarly, the respondents felt that they would assist in curbing the problem of human-wildlife conflict through cooperating with KWS, practicing compatible land use activity and assisting in moating.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The results of the study will be of use to the wildlife regulatory bodies and the government to come up with policies aimed at improving the pastoralist-wildlife relationship in the Amboseli Ecosystem South Eastern Kenya and other game reserves in the country. This study will also be important to the local residents in Maasai communities of the Amboseli ecosystem. The research study will also give viable solutions to the minimization of cost from wildlife, benefits increased from wildlife related activities and change local people attitudes' towards conservation. The research will also give suggestions on the compatible land use activities with wildlife conservation in order to mitigate the human - wildlife conflicts.