The Role of Training in Harmonizing Views Regarding Traditional Consumptive Uses of Wildlife among Students at the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute

Abstract

A two step study was conducted in October 2021 to determine views of pre-service and in-service students regarding consumptive wildlife utilization in Kenya. Pre-service respondents were fresh school leavers while in-service respondents were rangers employed by the Kenya Wildlife Service. A self-administered, closed ended, drop-and-collect questionnaire was used to obtain data on students’ views regarding traditional consumptive uses of wildlife just before and after their 18 month diploma in wildlife management program at the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute. Respondents were required to indicate whether they supported or opposed t use of wildlife as (i) source of meat for human consumption, (ii) source of ceremonial wear, (iii) source of traditional medicine, (iv) source of ornaments, and (v) a sacrifice in religious ceremonies. A “not sure” option was provided for respondents who were undecided about an item. Questionnaire return rate was 100% for both studies with a respondent number of 30 for the first and 28 for the second study respectively. Before their training, pre-service students strongly supported consumptive wildlife use while in-service students strongly supported non-consumptive use. After their training however, both pre-service and in-service students were strongly supportive of non-consumptive wildlife use. The shift in views of pre-service students was associated with the knowledge, attitudes and values imparted in them during their training. More related studies are recommended.

Keywords: attitude, consumptive use, Kenya, non-consumptive use, training, wildlife.

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-6-01

Publication date: February 28^th 2023