Avocado farm could spell trouble for elephants
07 May 2021
The Independent
Within the sprawling plains of Kimana area in Amboseli in Kenya, overlooked by the scenic snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, a territorial fight for survival between an avocado farm and a wildlife and livestock conservation area is rife.
Conservationists and community say the 180-acre farm that has been cleared and prepared for farming by KiliAvo Fresh Limited at Kimana area spell a disaster to the movement of iconic elephants into and out of Amboseli National Park.
The farm, the community says, will also deal a blow to the livelihoods of local pastoralists who depend on the vast spaces to graze.
Kenya conservationists score major win against avocado farm Africanews 4 hrs ago
Elephants roam in Kimana Sanctuary.
Last year a large 180-acre farm near the Amboseli National Park, Kimana Sanctuary, and other conservation areas, was sold by local Maasai to KiliAvo Fresh, who fenced off the site and prepared it to plant avocados.
Conservationists and a group of local landowners, Amboseli Land Owners Conservancies Association, took their objections to National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), arguing that it disrupted a key migratory route for elephants and other wildlife and threatened to disrupt the local ecosystem.
Kenya conservationists score major win against avocado farm
Kenyan avocado farm loses case on wildlife territory
An avocado firm located in Kenya’s biggest game park has lost a bid to have its license renewed; the Kenya National Environmental Tribunal suspended Kiliavo Fresh s license last year, ordering the firm to stop its activities in the area.
The farm occupied more than 70 ha near Amboseli National Park, where elephants and other wildlife graze, which led environmental groups to claim it obstructs important migration routes for 2,000 elephants, possibly threatening their existence.
Agribusiness Company KiliAvo Fresh was cleared to plant avocados last year on land it bought from local Masai. The owners say their development falls outside the important migration corridors.
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