Projects · Aberdare Conservation Area
Aberdare Conservation Fence
Farms and tea country pressed against a park full of elephant and rhino. A 410 km electric fence now separates crops from core forest while attendants keep the line working.
Problem: In the 1980s, black rhino and elephant in the Aberdares faced poaching and habitat loss, while neighbours lost livestock and sleep to night raids from the Eastern Salient.
Action: Rhino Ark began with Kenya Wildlife Service on a 38 km game-proof electric fence where wildlife density met farmland. Over 21 years that grew to 410 km around the Aberdare Conservation Area, completed in 2009 and commissioned in 2010, guarding more than 2,000 sq km of forest and catchments.
Outcome: Rivers that feed Nairobi and hydropower stay forested, conflict along the edge has dropped sharply for many households, and complementary patrols with KWS, rhino security work and bongo support continue beside the fence.
Goals
- Fence integrity & maintenanceActive
- Human-wildlife conflict reductionActive
- Community livelihoods supportActive
Partners
- Kenya Wildlife Service
- Kenya Forest Service
- Forest-adjacent communities
Evidence
Reports and knowledge products connected to this programme.
- Evaluation of Road Projects in Aberdares
Reports
- Aberdare Fence Assessment 2011 (Main Report)
Reports · 2011
- Aberdare Fence Assessment 2011 (Exec. Summary)
Reports · 2011
- Aberdare Aerial Survey (English)
Reports