Animal Welfare Monthly Highlights: August 2024THE BECKONING OF A BRIGHT FUTURE: LIGHTING NDUTA’S PATH TO SUCCESS Students whose homes border areas inhabited by wildlife are selected to receive scholarships from the Africa Conservation Education Fund (ACEF). One of these lucky scholars was Ruth Nduta, a bright spark with a promising future. However, the team noticed a peculiar dip in her performance, sparking great concern. On enquiry, the team learnt from Nduta’s mother that her daughter usually uses a candle when reading at night. Her homework sessions took place in a dimly lit house without electricity. Being a candidate, the team felt that there was a need for urgent special support of a reading lamp that would not limit the time for reading and doing her homework. Her reading environment is now brilliantly illuminated with a lamp donated through the ACEF program. No more squinting in the dark for Nduta! We wish her all the best as she gears up for her final year secondary school examinations. Shine on, Nduta! 
Nduta, Proudly Adorning her School Uniform at Home Just like Nduta’s family, some members of communities living next to wildlife areas experience hardships due to poverty and some are forced to turn to detrimental ways to support their livelihoods. Supporting the students’ education comes a long way in aiding these families and securing their bright futures. Compassion and Care: Veterinary Heroes Safeguard Kenya’s Wildlife in NakuruOn a splendid August day, the desnaring team embarked on a venture into the heart of the Nakuru County wilderness, determined to rid the land of the crude snares that ensnared wildlife, primarily for bushmeat. This four-day operation was a collaborative effort between ANAW, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Naivasha Station, and scouts from various conservancies within the Nakuru Ranches. Their dedication paid off as they successfully dismantled 28 snares - 10 still active and 18 dead - across Sanctuary Farm, Kedong Ranch, Lower Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KARLO) Farm, Manera Ranch, Sopa Lodge, Ol Suswa Ranch, Wileli Conservancy, and Hippo Point Ranch. 
Dr Asumta Wanjiru from ANAW Removes a Snare During the operation, three (3) zebras requiring dire veterinary intervention were rescued with the swift intervention of the KWS and Sheldrick’s Trust Naivasha Veterinary Unit. 
The Team Attends to a Zebra At Sanctuary Farm, two (2) zebras received much-needed veterinary care for lameness. One male, struggling with severe lameness in his left forelimb, was suspected to have a dislocated shoulder. After receiving treatment, he was set free to roam the wild once more. The second male, afflicted with overgrown hooves and swelling in his fetlock joint, underwent hoof filing and was administered antibiotics and anti-inflammatory treatment before being released back into his natural habitat. At Sopa Lodge, a male zebra was found with an arrow wound in its flank. The Mobile Veterinary Unit responded quickly, and after immobilizing the animal, they cleaned and treated the wound, to ensure a swift recovery. 
A Zebra Receives Care at the Sanctuary Scouts Trained on Anti-Poaching Methods at Naretunoi Conservancy
Scouts During a Training Session ANAW, in collaboration with The Wildlife Foundation (TWF), conducted a desnaring patrol training for 26 scouts from the Athi Kapiti Wildlife Conservancies on August 27, 2024. Held at Naretunoi Conservancy, the training focused on equipping the scouts with essential bushcraft skills and knowledge to enhance their effectiveness during patrols. This marks the third training session organized in partnership between ANAW and Naretunoi Conservancy, continuing efforts to strengthen anti-poaching measures and protect wildlife across the region.. Shaping Wildlife Champions: Conservation Education Leverage on Teacher Workshops
Isaac Maina (standing) of ANAW, Conducting Conservation Education Amongst Students A comprehensive conservation education program was organized across six (6) schools in Machakos County, targeting areas around desnaring sites by ANAW. Through engaging in these lessons, students learned about the importance of wildlife conservation, the dangers of bush meat poaching, animal health, and the fascinating variety of animals living within their environment. These sessions aimed to instill a sense of responsibility and inspire students to actively contribute to conservation efforts now and in the future. The participating schools included St. Francis of Assisi, Muthwani, Syanthi, Kea, Uini, and Kalanzoni Primary Schools. 
Eunice Robai of ANAW, Facilitates Conservation Education with Students Prioritizing proper training by teachers, ANAW hosted a one-day training workshop for ten (10) newly appointed teachers. The workshop oriented the group with the inner workings on the animal welfare club program, focusing on animal welfare education, the role of patrons, and how to effectively use educational materials. This training ensures that teachers are well-equipped to guide students in becoming compassionate and knowledgeable advocates for wildlife protection. Emergency Donkey Care Project Takes Shape in Kajiado County
A Donkey Receiving Care Massive destruction of infrastructure across the country was experienced when rains pounded heavily occasioning floods from February to April 2024. The heavy rains had dire effects on the welfare of animals in Kenya as many animals were reportedly swept away by the torrents. In the flooded areas, the health of the surviving animals deteriorated significantly. ANAW supported by SPANA, joined forces with Kajiado County Department of Veterinary Services (CDVS) to mitigate the impact of the heavy rains on the working animals (donkeys) in Kajiado County. Over 2,000 donkeys were vaccinated against rabies, dewormed, wound-treated during a vaccination clinic held in Magadi, Kajiado County on August 7. Awareness was also facilitated on animal husbandry and good donkey care and welfare practices. 
A Donkey Receiving Care Nurturing Hope and Uplifting Students through the ACEF Program
ANAW Team Visits One of the Beneficiaries of the ACEF Program The ANAW team carried out a visit of the eight (8) students who were beneficiaries of the sponsorship program funded by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) under the Africa Conservation Education Fund (ACEF) programme in Taita Taveta and Kilifi counties. Through this partnership, AWI provides support and empowerment to students from underprivileged families living near wildlife areas. Many of the beneficiaries are graduates of animal welfare clubs in primary schools, further fostering their passion for wildlife conservation and animal welfare. Guarding Kenya’s Shores: Funzi Island and Msambweni Communities Take the Lead in Turtle Conservation
Community Get Together in a Meeting to Discuss the Progress As the calm waves of the ocean advancing from the distant horizon, two dedicated groups stand vigilant as sentinels of the Kenyan coast. The Msambweni and Funzi Marine Turtle Conservation Groups work tirelessly to ensure the safety of sea turtles along Kenya’s shores. The groups undertook their daily coastline patrols to monitor turtle nests and provide security from human and animal threats in August. Patrols by the Msambweni group confirmed that no new nests or hatchlings and no mortality cases were reported. The Funzi group safeguarded 15 existing nests and recorded two (2) new Green Turtle nests in August, bringing the total to 17. The increase in nests is attributed to heightened patrols and collaboration with local fishermen. However, there is an urgent call for support to increase to secure more manpower, as this good effort is constrained by the inability to cover all areas. 
Trash Collected After a Beach Clean Up. Active beach cleanups play a critical role in reducing pollution and ensuring the safety of nesting turtles. The Msambweni group ensures that monthly cleanups are held to prevent turtles from being entangled in plastics and plastic materials. In August, the group participated in joint cleanups with local groups, including a three-day event at Munje Village and another with the Msambweni community on August 21. The group also organized a training session for 15 local conservation groups on recycling trash collected during cleanups. The Msambweni group also had an opportunity to hold a meeting with Coastal and Marine Resources Development (COMRED) to discuss marine conservation and sustainable livelihoods. Colobus Conservation Continue to Champion in Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation
Moshi (above), a Young Vervet Monkey, is Receiving Care at Colobus Conservation In the scenic Diani coastal ecosystem, where the ocean meets the coastal forests, Colobus Conservation has been a ray of hope for wildlife in Kenya. Colobus Conservation continues to show unwavering commitment for wildlife care. In August, a total of 30 animal welfare cases were carried out, including 14 Sykes monkeys, 3 baboons, 9 colobus monkeys, 1 bird, and 3 vervet monkeys. Notably, an infant colobus monkey was treated and successfully released back into the wild. Additionally, a Sykes monkey was reintroduced into long-term rehabilitation. These achievements underscore relentless dedication to wildlife care and the ongoing efforts to support and rehabilitate the animals in our care. ANAW seconds its in-house veterinarian stationed at the Animal Welfare Clinic to support in these efforts. THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH EMMANUEL - AN ANIMAL WELFARE CHAMPION, IN HIS HOUR OF NEED!Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) wishes to express her most heartfelt gratitude to all of you - who hearkened to our urgent distress call and gave exceedingly generously towards supporting Emmanuel to get the most needed medication in effort to restoring his deteriorating health. Arising from your kind support, the appeal has raised 4,082USD since its inception on GoFundMe, and, in our most recent appeal to you, we received an additional 5,800USD on the ANAW’s PayPal account. We have therefore, jointly raised a total of USD $9,882 to date, all of which, save for transaction costs, has been wired to Emmanuel. As we bring this noble initiative to a close, we wish to take a moment to just say, ‘Thank you’ on behalf of Emmanuel, and let you know that he is recuperating well, and on his way to full recovery. We look forward to sharing more updates with you about his health and will not hesitate to get back to you for more help, if need arises in future. But for now – we say a huge thank you!
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