rational extension of exploiting wild ruminants as a source
of protein for human consumption is an intriguing possibility. During
the course of evolution the radiation of bovids within East Africa has
yielded a variety of ruminant species, many of which apparently
thrive, reproduce and are otherwise well adapted to their particular
“ecological niche”. Unfortunately, the concepts of being environmentally
“well adapted” and food resource “productive” are not necessarily
synonymous in human terms. However, for the East African
savanna the combined qualities of an extensive, available biomass
(Talbot et al., 1965) and the high percentage of protein within the
carcass of wild bovid (Ledger, 1963) are suggestive of an untapped
protein potential for humans.
Marginal and semi-arid regions (those receiving less than 500 mm
annual rainfall) comprise 80% of the Kenya's land area (Payne and
Hutchison,1963). Prolonged heat and periodic droughts are two primary
factors,which contribute to classifying these areas of Kenya asmarginal.
It is within these regions of East Africa, where dairy ranching and crop
cultivation are not profitable, that the relative merits of ranching wild
and domestic ruminants, as a source of food can best be considered.