The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has stepped up efforts to eradicate Indian crows at the beaches of Watamu in Kilifi County by sensitizing fishermen and fish mongers on cleanliness.

Ramadhan Mwatsefu, the Senior Warden at Watamu Marine park said that the crows were currently the biggest threat to other bird species and that their elimination will save the birds from extinction. 

“We are sensitizing the fishermen and fish mongers on cleanliness at the beach as one way of eradicating the crows,” he said. 

He added that the community was helpful in supporting the fight against Indian crows and they were in the forefront in dealing with the crows. 

“What we are telling them is that, the food waste from fish that they prepare should be put in one place where we have cages to trap the crows then we poison them,” he added. 

According to history, the Indian crows were introduced to East Africa in 1891, in Zanzibar, to deal with domestic food waste but they have turned out to be dangerous to other native small birds, likely spreading disease, damaging food crops, and generally being a nuisance at tourist spots, open-space parties and businesses. 

Among the bird species that face extinction due to the influx of Indian crows include the weavers and waxbills which the crows rip their nests apart while targeting eggs and even chicks. 

The influx forced the Kenyan government and conservationists as well as tourism players to introduce the culling process which involves months of pre-baiting.

Pieces of meat are usually dropped at strategic locations to attract the crows, before poisoning them.