Millions Of Indian Crows To Be Killed In Kenya In Next 6 Months, Why Government Is Taking This Extreme Step!

Add as a preferred source on Google

The Kenyan government has announced plans to eliminate million Indian House Crows (Corvus splendens) by the end of 2024. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) considers these birds invasive and a nuisance to the public, as they have significantly impacted local bird populations.

Charles Musyoki, director of wildlife and community service representing the KWS director-general, said the government is committed to addressing the house crow problem due to public outcry from hoteliers and farmers in the Kenyan coast region.

The Indian house crows are aggressive scavengers that prey on endangered local bird species, according to KWS. Colin Jackson, a conservationist and bird expert at Rocha Kenya, explained that the crows have significantly decreased the population of small indigenous birds on the Kenyan coast by destroying their nests and preying on their eggs and chicks.

He said, "When other indigenous bird populations decline, the environment starts to deteriorate. Pests and insects begin to proliferate, creating a ripple effect. The impact of the crows extends beyond just the species they directly target, affecting the entire ecosystem."

How Will It Impact Kenya's Tourism And Agriculture

Kenya's tourism industry is its third-biggest driver of foreign exchange earnings after diaspora remittances and agricultural exports. The Indian crows pose a significant inconvenience to the tourism and hotel industries, as they disrupt tourists while they enjoy their meals.

Farmers have also expressed concerns about these crows' proliferation. Local poultry farmer Mwanjani Runya complained about their aggressive appetite for germinating crops and attacks on chicks.

Previous Attempts And New Plans

This is not the first time the government has initiated plans to control invasive bird species. A previous attempt over 20 years ago reduced their population, but their exponential rise due to remarkable adaptability and association with human settlements has necessitated new plans, according to KWS.

The organization is keen on using mechanical and targeted methods to kill the birds, even as the Kenya Pest Control and Products Board (PCPB) permitted hoteliers to import licensed poison. PCPB cited poisoning as the most efficient way of controlling these invasive birds' population, which is estimated at a million in the Kenyan coast region alone.