The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) announced plans to kill one million house crows by 31st December 2024. On June 7, KWS led a consortium of stakeholders in developing an action plan to eliminate one million house crows from Kenya’s coast by within six months.
Prof. Charles Musyoki, Director of Wildlife and Community Service representing the KWS Director General, outlined that the house crow eradication program is of high public interest and affirmed the Government’s commitment to addressing the problem.
“House crows are invasive alien birds that have been a nuisance to the public for decades, significantly affecting local bird populations by driving them from their natural habitats,” KWS said.
The Service explained that the birds also pose a major inconvenience to the hotel industry along the coast, disrupting tourists as they enjoy their meals.
The meeting was attended by a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the hotel industry, veterinarians specializing in house crow control, A Rocha, Vipingo Ridge, and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI).
The eradication plan aims to employ a multifaceted approach to tackle the invasive species.
KWS to Work with Pest Control and Products Board
The Kenya Pest Control and Products Board (PCPB) has authorized hoteliers to import licensed poisons, deeming poisoning as the most efficient method to manage the estimated one million birds in the region.
This initiative marks the latest effort by the government to address the invasive species problem. A similar campaign launched over 20 years ago successfully reduced the bird population.
However, the Indian house crow’s adaptability and tendency to thrive in human settlements led to their resurgence.
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About House Crows
The Indian house crow, a non-native species believed to have arrived in East Africa around the 1940s, has rapidly multiplied, displacing indigenous bird populations and creating challenges for the tourism industry along Kenya’s coast.
Initially introduced to the region, these birds have steadily increased in number, outcompeting native species such as the Pied Crow.
Their preference for areas with abundant waste has made rapidly developing urban centers like Mombasa, Malindi, Watamu, and Kilifi ideal habitats.
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This adaptability, coupled with their invasive potential, has made them a significant concern not only in Kenya but across the tropics.
The presence of house crows poses numerous threats, including the transmission of diseases, predation on native bird species and their eggs, and disturbances to residents and tourists due to their incessant cawing.
The PCPB’s and KWS new campaign aims to mitigate these impacts and restore balance to the region’s ecosystem.
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