Don’t give alcohol to baboons, warns KWS

A baboon escapes after stealing juice from a tourist. KWS director William Kibet Kiprono has warned travellers along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway against giving alcohol to baboons. He said doing so was irresponsible and careless. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

  • They might become violent, or distract road users, causing accidents.
  • The law stipulates that people should not feed wild animals.
  • Maai Mahiu residents have been complaining of a baboon menace.

The Kenya Wildlife Service has warned travellers on the Nakuru-Nairobi highway not to give baboons alcohol.

“Doing so is irresponsible and careless, as it poses a huge risk to motorists driving near Gilgil Town,” KWS director William Kibet Kiprono.

“Liquor has the same effect in animals as on human beings.

They might become violent, or distract road users, causing accidents.

They might also start fighting people and cause death if unchecked.”

Mr Kiprono, who was speaking in Naivasha, said the law stipulates that people should not feed wild animals, explaining that this was meant to protect the wildlife as they might be adversely affected by eating human food.

Maai Mahiu residents have been complaining of a baboon menace.

“They eat our goats, and we have been unable to plant food for the last three years,” said a local farmer, Mr Kabiu Kabiru.

Another villager, Mr John Mwangi added: “We chase 20 monkeys every night. They enter our kitchens and steal food.”

Mr Kiprono admitted that the animals living outside the reserve were many, citing that close to 7000 animals were living outside protected areas.

“We are trying to stem out human – wildlife conflict and this can only be done through ensuring that both the rights of the animals and the people are well respected,” he added.