There has been little focus on sport hunting of game birds (birdshooting) as a commercial enterprise in Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem (SME) in Kenyaand Tanzania. However, sustainable utilization (in terms of financialprofitability of hunting operations) of wild birds through game bird shootinghas a huge potential in SME, and can substantially contribute to improvement ofrural livelihoods and to the conservation of natural semi-arid habitats as wellas the biodiversity they contain. Licensed game bird hunting i.e. hunting ofabundant bird species such as guinea fowl, francolin, partridge, doves andpigeons, quail, sand grouse, ducks, geese and snipe is very viable in SME. Gamebirds such as quails, pigeons, ostriches, guinea fowls and spur fowls can bereared for meat and egg production, exhibition, and for release and subsequenthunting. Hunting blocks can be booked by hunters who pay a set booking fee (US$10, for residents and US $ 50, for non-residents). Generally, a 10% (using thelower population estimate) off take limit would yield off take levels of around5,000 birds. This would accrue a minimum income of over US $250,000 from birdshooting per year. If this money is remitted to landowners at the end of eachyear, this would translate into tremendous improvement in household incomes,livelihoods and well-being of the local communities. Predictive site-specificmodels of projected income can be developed for each locality. To besuccessfully managed, game bird utilization requires accurate information aboutpopulation size, distribution and seasonality which can be interpreted forsetting appropriate bag limits and shooting seasons and monitoring numbers. Asystem of controlling the hunting and passing on the accruing benefits to thecommunity is also necessary.

The validation process used participatory tools and techniquesdeveloped through stakeholder consultations. The beneficiaries are mainly theyouth, farmers, local rural communities, local hoteliers, restaurants,scientists, tour operators and game bird hunters.

All gender categories can participate in various aspects of theventure providing alternative sources of income that serve as safety netsagainst undesirable effects of climate change and food insecurty. Given theopportunity to boost rural tourism and support livelihoods in rural areas whileenhancing biodiversity conservation, the method ought to be considered forpromotion with the SME region. 

This practice involves licensed game bird hunting and bird rearingwhich can create employment and enhance income of rural communities. This practiceis likely to be embraced by local people and requires relatively low investmentcosts, some aspects of the venture may require more costs than locals alone canafford. Its strength lies in the ability to make the most of locally existingwildlife resources, to generate flows of benefits through local employment asguides, growth of small scale businesses, game birds rearing.

The prcatice is gender sensitive sincegame bird rearing and licensed hunting can carried out and managed by both maleand female locals.

Dr. Muchai Muchane;

National Museums of Kenya;      

P. O. Box 40658-00100;

 Nairobi, Kenya.

Email:mmuchaim@yahoo.com, mmuchai@museums.or.ke

Mr. Bernard Ngoru;

Kenya Wildlife Service;

P. O. Box 494 – 0161;

Nyeri, Kenya.         

Email:bngoru@yahoo.com

Dr. Emanuel Manyasa;

Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT);

P. O. Box 57290;

Nairobi, Kenya.

Email:emanyasa@yahoo.com

Dr. Ayub Macharia;

National Environment Management Authority (NEMA);

P. O. Box 67839;

Nairobi, Kenya.

Email:amacharia@nema.go.ke

Dr. James Wakibara;

Tanzania National Parks;

P. O. Box 3134;

Arusha, Tanzania

Email:jwakibara@yahoo.com

Prof. Agnes Mwakaje;

University of Dar es Salaam;

P. O. Box 35064;

Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania

Email:amwakaje@udsm.ac.tz