Quarrying can end the migration of wildlife in Kenya

A quarry, which is using explosives in Kenya's Amboseli National Park, could threaten the migration corridors of elephants and other wildlife, according to conservationists. Exploitation work is still ongoing, despite a suspension order issued by the Supreme Court of Kenya in May.

The quarry is planned to be used to supply materials for the construction of the Emali-Oloitoktok road, which is part of Osupuku's protected area with an area of ​​1,214 hectares.

It was formed in 2008 under an agreement between landowners of the Kimana community and the African Wildlife Protection Fund (AWF). This is the land created to protect the migrant corridor of animals from Amboseli to the Chyullu hills and Tsavo National Park.

'We do not object to the construction of the road, but object to taking stone materials from the existing mining area,' said Fiesta Warinwa, AWF member.

Sinohydro, a construction group from China currently in charge of the project, spoke earlier this year that the project's location might be reconsidered.

'Because there are so many concerns from animal conservation organizations as well as the media, we are currently calculating a different location,' said Michael Zhang, deputy project director.

But conservationists say it is just a promise.

'We have to resort to court intervention because we know the company does not really intend to move the project to another location. Any of their assertions are merely a statement following the postponement of the army , ' Warinwa said.

'We are using all available capabilities to prevent them from digging this area .' she said.

Permanent change

If the project position remains the same as the present, the company will use explosives and heavy machinery to dig big holes, which according to conservationists will cause disasters not only for animals but even people living in the area.

'With dug holes everywhere, of course the animals that often come and leave this sanctuary will disappear,' said Warrinwa. For example, animals may fall into a pit, or the commotion of construction work will make them afraid to stay away from the reserve.

A quarry, which is using explosives in Kenya's Amboseli National Park, could threaten the migration corridors of elephants and other wildlife, according to conservationists.(Photo: National Geographic)

'In terms of ecology, the linkage between national parks will no longer exist.'

'After the construction is completed, the mines that remain inert and the staggering campsites of untrained workers will cause a permanent change to elephant migration,' Soila Sayialel, member of a nonprofit organization specializing in elephant protection said.

'The daily and seasonal movements of elephants on this road can pass through human settlements,' Sayialel said.

'More and more people won't give in, and conflict will happen, then both humans and elephants suffer.'

Moreover, this mining site could lose the tourism potential of the natural animal sanctuary, Warinwa added.

'The reserve is at risk of being closed due to the absence of tourism potential, which means that staff will be fired entirely or partially'.

No interference?

Mr. Sinohydro, Mr. Zhang, said that Amboseli is the ideal supplier of stone materials to build a good road, and it will certainly not need repairs for many years.

He said the company is planning to use legal explosives and detonators approved by the Kenya Ministry of Environment and Mining. The government has also sent an explosive management official to the scene, Zhang said.

'Of course we also know that explosives will affect animals, so we calculated only during the daytime, and animals use this corridor at night and in the morning. '.

He added that he himself did not think the workers' mines and camps would greatly affect the movement of animals.