Kenyans march to raise awareness on threats to wildlife

Kenyan conservationists on Saturday participated in the Global March for elephants, rhinos and lions to raise awareness on threats facing the wildlife species.

Senior government officials joined grassroots campaigners in Nairobi to trek 15 kilometers and re-awaken an ongoing national conversation on the need to protect giant mammals and carnivores from threats linked to human activities and climatic stresses.

Principal Secretary in the State Department of Natural Resources, Margaret Mwakima, said the Global March for elephants, rhinos and lions was timely as the government explores innovative ways to protect the wildlife species against a backdrop of myriad threats like illegal hunting, shrinking habitat and conflict with humans.

"The march came at a time when the giant land mammals and some carnivores were losing their battle for survivals due to poaching and invasion of their habitat by man," said Mwakima.

"It served as a wake-up call for our communities to denounce poaching and illegal trafficking of trophies to help protect a priceless heritage," she added.

Participants at the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos in Nairobi, October 7, 2017.

The 2017 edition of the Global March for elephants, rhinos and lions whose theme was "Justice for Wildlife" took place in various capitals around the world on Saturday.

It sought to rally governments, corporations and grassroots communities towards a new and revitalized wildlife conservation agenda.

Mwakima said Kenya is committed to enacting sweeping legislation and policies to strengthen protection of the giant mammals and carnivores roaming in its vast jungles.

"Our national wildlife policy that has just been finalized recognize emerging threats facing elephants, rhinos and lions and viable ways to protect them in their natural habitat," said Mwakima.

Global March 2017 Photo

Kenya is home to an estimated 39,000 elephants, 1,146 rhinos and 2,000 lions whose numbers are reported to be dwindling as of late due to illegal hunting and depletion of their habitats.

The Acting Director-General of Kenya Wildlife Service, Julius Kimani, said recruitment of well-trained rangers, technology adoption and community engagement has minimized threats facing iconic wildlife species.

"We have equipped our rangers with latest tracking and reporting gadgets to boost response to poaching inside protected parks. Community education and awareness programs have also boosted wildlife conservation in the country," said Kimani.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)