Residents of Mukindu village in Nyandarua County are expected to breathe a sigh of relief after the government on Wednesday launched the relocation of 56 hippos that have posed a serious threat to lives and livelihoods since migrating into the area’s small public dam two years ago.

The exercise, led by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) in partnership with the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) will move the animals from the three-acre Mukindu public dam to a more suitable habitat following the drying up of Lake Ol’ Bolossat in 2023.

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the translocation marks the beginning of a long-term solution to the human-wildlife conflict that has disrupted economic and social cavities of the farming community.

The drying up of Lake Ol’ Bolossat forced the hippos to seek refuge in the unfenced Mukindu dam, bringing them into close contact with farms and homesteads. Residents have since reported repeated cases of crop destruction and feared attacks as the animals strayed into villages in search of food and water.

“This marks the beginning of a lasting solution for the residents of Mukindu. We are committed to ensuring that the community can live and farm without the constant threat posed by the displaced hippos,” Miano said during the launch of the exercise.

She described the operation as one of the most delicate wildlife conservation undertakings, noting that relocating hippos requires specialised equipment, experienced wildlife veterinarians and highly trained capture teams.

According to the cabinet secretary, KWS has deployed technical personnel with the expertise needed to safely capture, transport and release the animals while minimising stress to the wildlife and ensuring the safety of nearby communities.

She assured residents that the government remains committed to protecting lives and property as the exercise continues.

“We want to reassure farmers that the government is fully committed to ensuring their safety while restoring peace and stability in the area,” she said.

Miano also said the ministry of tourism and wildlife is working with the Community Wildlife Compensation Committee to ensure that genuine claims arising from crop damage and other losses caused by the hippos are processed without unnecessary delays.

She said timely compensation would help affected families recover from losses incurred during the period the animals occupied the dam. The relocation is expected to significantly reduce incidents of human-wildlife conflict that have become increasingly common around Mukindu since the hippos were displaced from their natural habitat.

Wildlife experts have warned that prolonged drought and shrinking water sources are increasingly forcing wild animals into human settlements, escalating conflicts in several parts of the country.

The government says the Mukindu operation forms part of broader efforts to balance wildlife conservation with the safety and economic wellbeing of communities living near wildlife habitats.

Authorities have appealed to residents to cooperate with wildlife officers during the exercise, saying public support will be critical to ensuring the successful relocation of the animals and the restoration of normal life in the area.

• A Tell Media report / By Murimi Mwangi