An elephant in Kenya has been killed after it was electrocuted by an electric fence that had been constructed by farmers to protect crops, according to a report in allafrica.com
Wildlife officers believe farmers may have targeted the elephant after recent crop damage along with the deaths of several locals.
It's alleged farmers have raised electric fencing around their farms in order to protect their crops, however, the voltage is raised to a level that is lethal enough to kill an elephant, and is much higher than levels used on KWS fences.
The story reports: "According to a resident who requested anonymity, they have been forced to electrocute the beasts after KWS failed to repair the fence that surrounds the forest.
"We decided to go to an extra cost of installing the electric wires and pay electricity bills in order to protect our lives and our farm produce," he said.
Mr Joseph Thuranira, a farmer, said the beasts have destroyed all crops on his farm this season.
"Our lives are at risk because we spent most of our time protecting our farms. We are having sleepless night chasing the elephants," said Mr Thuranira.
Elephants in Kenya need to be protected, as do the livelihoods of farmers. More needs to be done to prevent human - elephant conflicts.
Will you join me in urging the Kenyan Government to provide more funding to the Kenyan Wildlife Service to improve fencing between farms and wildlife reserves, along with patrols to ensure farmers have not raised electric fencing to levels to a voltage that will kill wildlife?
Please sign and share the petition.
