Supporting Victims of Human-Wildlife Conflict

Thousands of Kenyans are affected by wildlife each year. Some incidents destroy entire families. Women in rural areas are disproportionately affected.  WildlifeDirect has from time to time supported widows and affected women and on 3 – 5 February 2020, WildlifeDirect team visited Sharon Rono, the widow of Simion Rono who was killed by lions in December last year near the Nairobi National Park. The team visited the family and gave her Ksh 114,000 money, which was generously donated after WildlifeDirect circulated an appeal for support. Simion’s employer also made a donation.

At her home in Chemurut, Narok, the WildlifeDirect team had a first-hand opportunity to learn about the challenges facing women affected by wildlife conflict and to demonstrate our compassion as a strategic effort to reduce retaliation against wildlife.  Sharon is eligible for compensation from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), though this may take some time. The funds raised by WildlifeDirect allowed her children to return to school and to pay for other costs including new school uniforms, books, and shoes.

WildlifeDirect team met the headteacher, Mr. John Cheruiyot, and enrolled the school in the Wildlife Warriors Kids program which is expanding to 100 schools this year.

We are extremely grateful to all donors who contributed towards Sharon’s emergency fund. If you would like to support our efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict please visit our page here.