Spatial Distribution of Maize-Raiding by Monkeys, Damage Level and Economic Loss in Farms Bordering Saiwa Swamp, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya
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Date
2025-07
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Maize-raiding by monkeys has often been cited as the leading source of HumanMonkey Conflict (HMC) around conservation parks. Monkey species such as Vervet
and De Brazza’s are considered to be serious pests because of their adaptability,
intelligence, opportunism, agility and reliance on maize crops for nutritional value.
Often, their habitats border those of humans and in most cases extend their foraging
ranges to cultivated farms making HMC a frequent occurrence. Communities bordering
conservation parks often engage in small scale farming. Apart from the menace of
maize-raiding by monkeys, the farmers also face other challenges like high cost of
inputs, unpredictable weather conditions and poor market prices for their produce. Such
was the situation for farmers surrounding Saiwa Swamp National Park (SSNP). This
study was carried out in three areas bordering SSNP i.e. Saiwa, Sitatunga and Sinyereri.
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the status of HMC in SSNP through mapping
of the incidents of maize-raiding by monkeys, establishing the damage and economic
levels as a result of maize-raiding by monkeys and determining the relationship between
the incidents of maize- raiding by monkeys and distance from the park boundary. The
Garmin GPS was used to obtain the coordinates of areas foraged by monkeys. The
coordinates were downloaded into the Esri ArcGis software where spatial maps on the
conflict areas, levels of maize damage and resultant economic losses, maize-raiding
distances as well as the monkey species involved were generated. Chi-square goodness
of fit and Chi-square for contingency tables were the main tools of statistical analysis
and null hypothesis rejected at p<0.05. Linear regression was carried out and an
equation generated to predict the incidents of maize damage with distances of the farm
from the park boundary. The results showed that maize-raiding incidents varied by area,
X
2
(2, N=24) =7, P=0.0302. The levels of maize damage also varied by area, X
2
(2,
N=24) =8.533, P=0.01403. As one moved from the park boundary into the cultivated
maize fields, the number of maize-raiding incidents reduced, X2
(3, N=24) =27.667,
P=0.0001. A linear regression line of y=-0.01x+6.74 that predicted the incidents of
maize damage(y) with the distance of the farm from the park boundary (x) was
generated. The results were also significant for the monkey species raiding maize, X
2
(3,
N=24) =9.75, P=0.00764 with the vervet monkey being the most problematic monkey
species. Colobus monkeys were never recorded raiding maize. The results indicated that
the monkeys of SSNP pose a great danger to maize farming and therefore their
population ought to be managed.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science (Animal Ecology) in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences of Kenyatta University, July, 2025
1.James Jumbe
2.Eunice Kairu