Restored Grasslands Slash Wildlife Conflicts in Kenyan Communities

In a finding that could reshape approaches to wildlife conservation and community security in Africa, new research shows that restoring degraded grasslands can significantly reduce conflicts between humans and wildlife, while also easing tensions within local communities.

The 16-month study, published today in Frontiers in Environmental Science, tracked over 1,500 households in Kenya’s Chyulu Hills region, where Maasai communities share their ancestral lands with African elephants, black rhinos, and other iconic wildlife. The research team found that as more grassland areas were restored, reported conflicts decreased measurably.

“We know now that the number of reported human–wildlife conflicts decreased as the restored areas increased, showing that grassland restoration is likely to play some role in reducing human-wildlife conflicts,” said Camila Donatti, lead researcher and senior director for climate change adaptation at Conservation International’s Moore Center for Science.

The study revealed that nearly 89% of surveyed households had experienced some form of wildlife conflict, with elephants being the most frequent source of encounters. These conflicts ranged from crop damage to livestock predation, highlighting the daily challenges faced by communities in wildlife-rich areas.

However, the research showed that areas with restored grasslands saw a notable decline in such incidents. This suggests that improving habitat quality can help reduce competition for resources between humans and wildlife, a growing concern as climate change intensifies pressure on natural resources.

“Grassland restoration is helping to restore balance to our land and our people,” said Samson Parashina, Chairman of Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. “With healthier pastures, we see fewer conflicts—both with wildlife and within our own community. While challenges remain, having more grazing land means less competition, making it easier for people and wildlife to share the land without constant struggle.”

The research also uncovered important gender disparities in how communities experience these conflicts. Households led by women reported significantly higher rates of social conflicts and feelings of insecurity compared to those led by men, pointing to the need for more targeted support in conflict mitigation strategies.

The study is part of a larger initiative in the Chyulu Hills region that has already restored 11,000 hectares of degraded rangeland. The project, supported by Apple, aims to restore 20,000 hectares by 2027.

Environmental challenges in the region are substantial. The Chyulu Hills area is considered one of Kenya’s most climate-vulnerable regions, with increasing drought frequency threatening both wildlife and human livelihoods. About 70% of Kenya’s wildlife lives outside protected areas, creating inevitable overlap with human settlements.

The research suggests that strategic grassland restoration could offer a practical solution to these challenges. As Donatti noted, “Our findings are very promising, and we want to continue exploring the potential of grassland restoration for climate mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity.”

The study recommends continued monitoring of human-wildlife conflicts in restored areas and calls for scaling up restoration efforts in regions experiencing similar challenges. The findings indicate that investment in ecosystem restoration could yield significant returns not only for biodiversity conservation but also for community security and social stability.

Conservation International’s work in the region extends beyond restoration to include a carbon credit project that supports forest protection and livelihood improvement initiatives, demonstrating the potential for integrated approaches to conservation and community development.