The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is a flagship infrastructure project in Kenya, connecting Mombasa to Nairobi as part of the Vision 2030 initiative. This railway represents a significant milestone in Kenya’s economic growth, designed to modernise transportation and boost trade. However, the SGR also cuts through the Tsavo Conservation Area (TCA), home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa. Elephants, renowned for their wide-ranging movements and resource-driven migrations, face new challenges due to this linear infrastructure. This article explores the impacts of the SGR on elephant movement, human-elephant conflict, and connectivity in Tsavo, offering insights into potential solutions.
The study: Understanding elephant behaviour along the SGR
In March 2016, a study began to monitor the impacts of the SGR and adjacent multi-lane highways on elephants. Ten elephants—five male and five female—were fitted with satellite radio collars to track their movements. These individuals were selected from areas within 20 kilometres of the railway or the Voi-Taveta highway.
This research, conducted in partnership with Save the Elephants, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Tsavo Trust, and Wildlife Works, provided critical insights into how elephants navigate linear infrastructures and the challenges they face. By understanding their behaviour, conservationists aim to find solutions that support coexistence between development and wildlife.
Impacts of the railway on elephant movement
Elephants are highly sensitive to habitat disturbances, and the SGR poses significant challenges to their movement. During the early construction phase of the railway in 2016, elephants crossed the railway more frequently, as the barriers were incomplete. However, as the railway neared completion in May 2017, crossings declined sharply due to fences and human activity near the underpasses.
After the railway was completed, elephants began learning the locations of the designated crossing structures, such as underpasses, bridges, and culverts. By September 2017, crossing frequencies began to stabilise, highlighting the intelligence and adaptability of elephants. Despite this, the total connectivity points were reduced to just 10% of the original pathways, and some elephants completely avoided crossing the railway.
Research also found that structural attributes of the crossing points played a critical role in determining their usage. Higher structures, such as bridges, accounted for 56% of crossing events, despite making up only 19.5% of available crossings. In comparison, culverts and wildlife underpasses were used less frequently, underscoring the importance of designing taller, more accessible crossings for elephants.
Conflict and connectivity
The barriers created by the SGR have also intensified human-elephant conflict. For example, in the Sagalla community, located just 1.5 kilometres from the railway, low crossing frequencies during December 2018 to January coincided with a surge in crop-raiding incidents. Over 500 elephants, including a notorious crop-raider known as Sagalla (M), were blocked from accessing Tsavo East National Park due to the railway fence.
Deprived of their traditional migration routes, these elephants ventured into community ranches in search of food, leading to significant losses for local farmers. This situation highlights the unintended consequences of infrastructure projects that fail to account for wildlife connectivity. When elephants are forced into human settlements, the risk of retaliatory actions increases, posing a threat to both human safety and elephant survival.
Behavioural changes in elephants
The SGR has also influenced elephant behaviour. Elephants have been observed increasing their speed when crossing underpasses, a risk-avoidance strategy indicative of their perception of these structures as dangerous. Female elephants, who are more protective of their herds, tend to cross more quickly than males, emphasising their heightened sensitivity to potential threats.
Additionally, elephants primarily use the underpasses and bridges at night, a behaviour consistent with their natural inclination to avoid human activity. This nocturnal movement pattern further reflects their ability to adapt to changing environments while minimising risks.
Implications for conservation and policy
The SGR’s impact on elephants underscores the importance of wildlife-sensitive infrastructure design. Future projects must prioritise features such as taller and more accessible crossing structures, which have proven to facilitate movement. Maintaining connectivity is not just essential for elephant survival but also for preserving the ecological balance within the Tsavo Conservation Area.
Moreover, addressing human-elephant conflict requires proactive measures. These include supporting local communities through crop protection initiatives, enhancing livelihoods to reduce dependence on agriculture, and fostering coexistence through education and compensation programmes.
A path forward
The SGR represents a delicate balancing act between Kenya’s development goals and the need to conserve its iconic wildlife. While the railway has undoubtedly improved transportation and trade, its unintended consequences for elephants and other wildlife must not be overlooked.
Conservation organisations, including Tsavo Trust, are working tirelessly to mitigate these impacts. By monitoring elephant movements, advocating for better infrastructure designs, and engaging local communities, these efforts aim to ensure that development and conservation can coexist.
The SGR’s impact on elephants highlights the complex interplay between development and conservation. While elephants face significant challenges due to restricted movement and increased conflict, their resilience offers hope. With thoughtful planning, policy changes, and community engagement, we can ensure that Kenya’s progress does not come at the expense of its wildlife.
By supporting Tsavo Trust’s efforts, you can play a role in safeguarding the future of elephants in the Tsavo Conservation Area. Together, we can create a world where economic development and wildlife conservation walk hand in hand.