Desperate Maasai herdsmen, driving cattle into national parks in search of water and pasture, are now being turned away.

Armed rangers in Tsavo West National Park are constantly engaged in a cat-and-mouse chase with Maasai herders who have trekked long distances to escape one of Kenya’s worst drought in years.

Wildlife officials say the herders have driven at least 20,000 cattle to the fringes of the park hoping to be allowed to graze in it, but the officials maintain they will not allow them in.

“We are trying our best to keep them off,” said Robert Muasya, assistant director of the Tsavo National Park.

But a few kilometres from his office on the outskirts of Tsavo, hundreds of emaciated cattle trudge across a dusty dirt road into the protected wildlife area with decomposing carcasses of dead livestock also darting the pathways.

He said the sight of cattle may irritate tourists who have paid to see undisturbed wildlife in the park.

“When the tourists come, they want to see wild animals, not cows,” he said.

Muasya said 60 game warders are currently on patrol to keep the herders at bay.

He said the exercise has been successful so far as most herders are now seeking alternative pastures.

“It is giving us a big challenge. It is a full-time job,” he said.

Other officers at the park said if allowed, the influx of livestock could also push elephants and other wild animals out of Tsavo into inhabited areas where they would attack people.

A century ago, man-eating lions spread terror among Indian railway workers in this area, killing and eating nearly 140 people.

The Maasai, who largely depend on livestock say they have no choice but to graze starving animals wherever they find pasture.

One herdsman said he had trekked with his herd for 11 days to reach Tsavo.

“I went to Nairobi and to Tanzania but there was no grass. This is the only place where there is grass. We don’t cause any trouble,” he said.

Another herdsman claimed he lost 20 cattle on his long journey saying: “I came here in search for pasture and water, and I found it.”

Source: Kenya Times Newspaper