Rising Kenyan lakes push crocodiles closer to homes
BARINGO (Kenya), Aug 13 — A crocodile basks in the sunshine on the roof of a submerged conference hall a...
In central Kenya, rising lake waters are endangering thousands of families and local businesses, forcing people to relocate to higher ground. Lake Baringo and other lakes in Kenya's Rift Valley have reached levels not seen in at least half a century, attributed to extreme rainfall linked to climate change. Tens of thousands have been displaced, but many victims claim the lakes continue to follow them.
The 2011 surge claimed a life when a hippopotamus attacked a man on his way home from work at a popular tourist resort, now completely submerged.
Mary Milka Tiren, 40, lost her husband to the hippo attack in 2011, and a decade later, her nine-year-old son was hospitalized for three months after a crocodile attack, leaving a scar on his arm. Tiren explains that the crocodile attacks are not due to an increase in crocodile population, but rather the proximity of wildlife to human settlements as the lake expands. The teenaged son of Mary Milka Tiren, 40, bears scars from a crocodile attack a decade ago.
The expansion of Lake Baringo has grown by 70% since 2010, reaching 234 square kilometers, while neighboring Lake Bogoria has increased by 21%, expanding from 34 to 41 square kilometers. Scientists warn that if the two lakes mix, it could lead to an ecological disaster with unknown consequences for the fish, crocodiles, and hippos. Lake Baringo, which provides vital drinking and irrigation waters and supports a thriving fishing industry, may see a complete change in its environment.
The expansion of the lakes has also significantly impacted tourism, with the loss of 80% of wildlife conservancies and several holiday resorts engulfed by Lake Baringo's waters. Tourism earnings have dropped from roughly US$1 million annually to US$200,000. Schools near the lakes have also been affected, with about 12 institutions around Lakes Baringo and Bogoria submerged, leaving students and staff to cross crocodile-infested waters.
Families are facing relocation due to the advancing waters, but financial constraints make it a challenging task.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
