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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 39605, member: 636"] Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma asked President William Ruto to let county residents milk elephants and giraffes during Monday's wildlife compensation fund launch. The governor believes people should benefit from animals that damage local communities near Meru National Park. Mutuma compared wildlife to domestic animals, such as cows and goats, which provide milk for families. He pointed out that milk prices jumped from 30 shillings to over 50 shillings per liter recently. Residents have suffered from repeated conflicts with wild animals from nearby protected areas. The governor explained that people love keeping livestock because they can drink and sell the milk these animals produce. He wondered why communities cannot engage with elephants and giraffes the same way they interact with cattle. Mutuma noted that Kenyan law prohibits the consumption of meat or milk from wild animals. He made a direct appeal to the president for special permission to start milking large wildlife. The governor said this milk could serve as compensation for damage caused to crops and property. Current wildlife protection laws make it illegal to consume products from wild animals without specific licenses. The government banned the consumption of game meat in 2004 due to conservation concerns and problems with illegal hunting. Some exceptions exist for farmed animals, such as crocodiles and ostriches, under the Kenya Wildlife Service regulations. Communities living near protected areas continue facing serious challenges from human-wildlife conflicts. The governor's unusual proposal highlights deep frustration among residents seeking better ways to coexist with dangerous animals. [/QUOTE]

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