Animal Welfare Updates: August - September 2021

COMMUNICATION FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S DESK

Dear Friends and Partners,

Receive greetings from Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) family and it is my hope that you are well, healthy, and keeping safe.

I am writing to inform you about an exciting initiative ANAW is actively involved in, which evolved from the 3rd Africa Animal Welfare Conference (AAWC) that was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2019. During the conference, delegates raised concerns about animal welfare not being recognized by the United Nations as a key issue of focus, despite there being a strong link between animal, human and environmental health, and the contribution by animals to sustainable development goals. Delegates hence resolved to “get a resolution tabled at UNEA through a member state/s, that recognizes and affirms the contribution and significance of welfare of animals to environmental protection, social justice and sustainable development of society.” The AAWC secretariat, was hence mandated by the delegates to work towards realization of the said resolution at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

Last year, ANAW commenced the process by engaging a champion government’s representative who offered guidance on the process of having a resolution tabled at UNEA. Together with several international animal welfare, wildlife and environmental conservation organizations, a Steering Committee was constituted that would oversee the process, and a Technical Committee whose role was to draft the required technical documents; i. Concept Paper; ii. Resolution Text; iii. Negotiation Strategy; and iv. Fundraising Strategy.

It was envisaged that tabling of the resolution would happen at UNEA 5, which had initially been scheduled for February 2021. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the UNEA Bureau, in consultations with Member States, decided that UNEA-5 would take a two-step approach: UNEA-5.1 which would be a virtual meeting held in February 2021 and would focus on urgent and procedural decisions, and UNEA-5.2 which would be a physical meeting held in February 2022 and would focus on substantive matters that require in-depth negotiations by member states. We are therefore, working towards having the animal welfare resolution tabled at UNEA-5.2 in February 2022.

Due to the intensive nature of the process, the ANAW Board allowed me to commit 70% of my time on this process, and 30% of the remaining time in ANAW for one year until March 31, 2022. However, to avoid having a vacuum in ANAW’s leadership, I am honored to officially introduce to us Mr. Josiah Ojwang, whom you know and may have interacted with in his position as the Programme Director and the Conference Organizing Chair, as the Acting Executive Director of ANAW for the period. Kindly direct all relevant communications to Josiah, and I will gladly accord him all the necessary support.

Finally, I sincerely appreciate you as an invaluable partner and recognize your continuous support to our work at ANAW.

Sincerely,
Josphat Ngonyo,
Executive Director, Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW).

REPLENISHED HOPE IN EFFORTS TO PROTECT WILD SPECIES IN NAKURU

Snare Numbers Reduced

Contrasting hopes to find all the snares set up in the areas scouted and to find few or no snares at all has been felt by many in de-snaring teams. Arguably, finding a live snare means that an animal is saved and finding few to none means that the general trend of snaring for bushmeat is going down. The latter was the case in the month of August, where one de-snaring exercise was carried out in Nakuru region through the patrnership of ANAW and KWS supported by Animal Welfare Institute (AWI).

A thorough combing of areas including Maendeleo, Booster area, Kiungururia, Euphorbia Ridge, Mlima Mbuzi, Check Height, Kambi Mbogo, Jolai, Sundowner and Banana Trough saw a total of 23 snares found during the patrols. The team was pleased to observe a reduction in snaring at the conservancy. All snares recovered were old not freshly set meaning they were remnants of previous sweeps.

A Snare Untangled from a Buffalo’s Neck

*Dr. Elynn Njeri (ANAW Vet Intern) Takes off Wire Snare on Sedated Buffalo*

Partnering with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and other stakeholders, the team provides emergency rescue services to injured and distressed animals. The ANAW rescue team in collaboration with the KWS Veterinary Unit responded to wildlife in distress at Soysambu Conservancy in Nakuru County.

On the first day, during patrol with the team, the group was able to identify a buffalo that had a large snare hanging around its neck. The buffalo was successfully darted, and the loose hanging snare was removed. No visible injuries were observed, but the snare did cause a bit of marking on the buffalo’s neck. The drug, Ivermectin, was given subcutaneously for parasite control and the buffalo was then successfully revived upon completion of treatment.

The team noted that a general lack of any injured or animal with snares in their patrols. They concluded that this indicated the safety of the area from snares. Overall, it was seen that there was a tremendous decrease in poaching at Soysambu Conservancy. It is believed that the de-snaring patrols have paid off by dominating the area helping deter poaching activity and removing snaring threats to animals.

MILESTONE FOR COMMUNITIES: OVER 7,000 ANIMALS VACCINATED IN RABIES ELIMINATION CAMPAIGN

A Steady Step Towards Eliminating Rabies

*One of the Dogs Being Vaccinated Against Rabies, in Machakos County*

It was a great week for communities in Kenya as families took their four-legged friends for vaccination ensuring their protection against the incurable rabies disease. ANAW in conjunction with the Julie Kelly Vaccination Campaign group and the county governments successfully carried out a seven-day mass rabies vaccination campaign in the Machakos and Taita Taveta Counties.

So, how was this accomplished? The daily log was updated to show that from August 2 - 5, 2021 the group vaccinated a total of 4,320 animals, 3,012 dogs, 429 cats and 879 donkeys in Mwala sub county, Machakos County. The team vaccinated a total of 2,703 animals, 2,501 dogs, 178 cats and 24 donkeys in Mwatate and Voi sub-counties of Taita Taveta County from August 7 - 9, 2021.

The overall tally of 5,513 dogs, 607 cats and 903 donkeys add up to 7,023 animals for the seven days.

It is with profound gratitude that the team acknowledges a strong partnership and the core role that the county governments of Machakos and Taita Taveta have played, without which the exercise would not have been successful.

Celebrating Culture with Communities in Taita Taveta

*Some of the Items Displayed at Bondeni Watha Cultural Site*

Honoring Kenyan culture, the group got to interact and explore the long-standing traditional craft of basket weaving. After the mass anti-rabies vaccination in Kasigau, on August 7, 2021, the team visited two women groups, Rukanga and Amani Basket Weavers, where the visitors learnt about the weavers and their work. The chairlady, Mrs. Hannah Manga appreciated ANAW for all their continued support and partnership with the community groups. After having a joint traditional meal, the visitors were invited to an open market where they bought baskets as a way of supporting the women.

Though failing to visit the indigenous Waatha community’s cultural site in Maungu due to the Ministry of Health’s restrictions regarding Covid-19, the group gave donations to the Voi and Maungu Waatha groups to show their support in the efforts made to uphold their culture. Archery and traditional dances welcomed the visitors demonstrating the olden ways of the Waatha. The team was able to shop at the curio shop that supported the indigenous community.

GUARDIANS CITE DROUGHT AS CAUSE FOR DECREASING WILDLIFE NUMBERS

*Guardians Pose for a Photo with ANAW’s Executive Director, Mr. Josphat Ngonyo, at Kasighau Ranch*

The Kasighau Guardians Wildlife Project noted that the number of animal sightings had decreased because of the increased level of drought at the ranch.

In month of August, guardians covered 34 patrol areas. The team spotted a total of 36 giraffes, 39 zebras, 16 elephants, 31 lesser kudus, 26 gerenuks, 120 impalas, 22 elands, 36 warthogs, 35 buffaloes and 6 ostriches. A good number of baboons, dikdiks, ground squirrels, guinea fowls and banded mongoose were spotted and a few sightings of greater kudu, oryx, hartebeest and francolin.

The anti-rabies vaccination group consisting of ANAW, and the Julie Kelly Vaccination Campaign team joined the guardians in their patrols on August 10 in conducting a de-snaring exercise and found 6 snares.

In the month of September 2021, the guardians covered 40 patrol areas. The team spotted a total of 118 giraffes, 12 zebras, 38 elephants, 141 lesser kudus, 46 gerenuks, 156 impalas, 54 elands, 121 warthogs, 1 cheetah, 3 ostriches, and 23 buffaloes. A good number of baboons, dikdiks and ground squirrels, vervet monkeys, kori bustards, guinea fowls and jackals were spotted as there were also few sightings of Thompsons gazelles, cape hares and banded mongoose. Lions and hyenas were not spotted but their paw prints were sighted in several patrols. The team also observed signs of logging in two areas, two incidences of poaching and one incidence of human wildlife conflict.

PRIMATE WELFARE CASES IN DIANI: ILLNESS, FIGHTS AND ACCIDENTS

Activities Performed During the Period

*Dr Erick Onsongo, ANAW Veterinary Officer Based in Colobus Conservation Attends to a Patient in the Clinic*

Veterinarians, including ANAW's field veterinarian, at the Colobus Conservation - Primate Rescue & Rehabilitation attended to a total of 10 welfare cases in the month of August. The patients consisted of 5 Sykes, 3 Colobus, and 2 Vervet Monkeys. Unfortunately, 5 were euthanized, 3 came in dead, and 2 were spotted but the rescue team was unable to capture them. Among the animals affected, 4 were resulted from natural fighting, 3 were due to natural illness, 2 were caused by road traffic accidents, and 1 had injuries.

In the month of September, we had a total of 20 animal welfare cases. Out of the 20, 9 were Sykes Monkeys, 1 Baboon, 8 Colobus Monkeys, and 2 Vervet Monkeys. 4 was euthanized, 8 came in dead, 2 were treated and released, one was entered into long term rehabilitation, one died under treatment, and 4 were spotted but the rescue team was unable to capture them. There were carious causes for the incidents. Out of these, one was natural fighting, 3 were natural illness, 4 were road traffic accidents, and 4 had injuries, one was unknown, one was caused by human - wildlife conflict, one was a sudden fall from a tree, 2 were poaching cases, 2 were orphaned and one was a dog attack.

Notable Results
We celebrate the good news that the Sykes monkey (Ndege) who had been released in August and later attacked by a baboon has fully recovered.

One infant Sykes monkey was entered into long term rehabilitation and 2 Colobus were treated and released in September.

KENYAN FARMERS WILLING TO PRACTISE WELFARE FRIENDLY POULTRY FARMING

*One of the Battery Cage Farming Systems in Kenya.*

Geared up for a fact-finding mission, the ANAW team, supported by the Open Wing Alliance, embarked on the third field visit in Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Kisumu and Nakuru counties of Kenya in the month of August. The trip proved fruitful as they spoke to the different county veterinary officers in the respective counties and collected their views on battery cage farming.

Taking precautions in the midst of the pandemic and biosecurity issues, the group visited a few poultry farms. They had a chance to talk to farmers - 3 in Uasin Gishu, 3 in Trans Nzoia, 3 in Kakamega, 4 in Nakuru and 3 in Kisumu County - who practiced different types of farming. The two main farming methods encountered were battery cages and deep litter system. The main aim of the visit was to gather opinions of farmers and the veterinary officers alike on the battery cage farming system. The team also wanted to find out whether they would be willing to switch to a more animal welfare friendly enclosure. They found out that 90% of the farmers of those interviewed were willing to switch but only if it did not affect production. A detailed report with our findings is available.

In the month of September, the team undertook its fourth field visit in Embu, Murang’a and Kirinyaga counties. The team managed to speak to the different county veterinary officers in the respective counties and got their views on battery cage farming. The team was also fortunate enough, despite the pandemic and biosecurity issues, to visit a few poultry farms; 2 in Kirinyaga County, 2 in Murang’a County, and 4 in Embu County.

The two main farming systems encountered in these counties were battery cages and deep litter system. The main aim for the visit was to get the opinions of farmers and the veterinary officers alike on the battery cage farming system and to find out whether they would be willing to switch to a more animal welfare friendly enclosure. 90% of the farmers spoken to were willing to switch but only if it did not affect production.

SCHOOL FEES RELIEF FOR FIVE STUDENTS LIVING IN COMMUNITIES ADJACENT TO WILDLIFE AREAS

*Nduta Mwangi (left) During the Interview and Hamida Mkawasi (Right) Outside her Primary School, Bungule*

August was a month of great tidings for students and their families living adjacent to wilderness areas. Established by ANAW, the Africa Conservation Education Fund (ACEF) was set up to ensure access to quality education for marginalized communities living in wildlife areas. A trip was undertaken to identify candidates for scholarship, five (5) children from selected wildlife areas where ANAW implements animal rescues and de-snaring activities and secondly, to establish animal welfare clubs in the selected schools. The scholarship, supported by Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), offers for a one-year secondary school education scholarship to each of the five (5) students selected at USD 350 per academic year with USD 100 for shopping.

The ACEF team carried out visits to five (5) schools and meetings with the selection committee and the beneficiaries selected for the scholarship program were undertaken. Five students were identified and announced as recipients to the ACEF Scholarship.

PARTNERSHIP TALKS IN SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO CONSERVE KENYA’S TURTLES

*ANAW Staff Pose for a Photo with Msambweni Turtle Group Officials at their Offices*

The ANAW team joined by Neville Agesa from the Diani Turtle Watch and Leah Mainye from The Olive Ridley Project to visit some of the turtle conservation groups within Diani area. From September 15 to 16, 2021, the group visited Msambweni, Shimoni and Funzi turtle conservation groups and held discussions on the areas ANAW will be working and supporting the groups. The team also met with the warden Kisite Mpunguti to introduce one of ANAW’s veterinarians to establish a working partnership.

Msambweni Turtle Conservation Group
On September 15, the team met three members from the group. The group is working towards renovating their education center for education purposes and hiring it for meetings and political campaigns to raise funds for the group. ANAW gave them support of Ksh 40,000 ($400) which will be used to renovate the center. Other priorities discussed were the need to have a title deed for the land they are currently using, reactivating their bank account for accountability and transparency, supporting the group with working gear, and renovating their washroom.

*Shimoni Group and ANAW Representatives Discuss Areas of Partnership*

STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN SCHOOLS WITH ANIMAL WELFARE CLUBS

*ANAW Celebrates World Animal Day with Animal Welfare Clubs Members*

In all the schools visited, the patrons and the learners demonstrated eagerness to resume the club sessions. Most of the patrons had already recruited learners who will be members of the club at the beginning of the new term. The headteachers noted the positive impact that the club sessions have had on the learners citing the similarities between the delivery of the Promoting Animal Welfare in Schools (PAWS) program saw ANAW staff visit 23 schools within the project areas of Machakos, Makueni, Kajiado, Nairobi, Kiambu Counties in the month of September 2021. The visit was part of the routine monitoring of the animal welfare clubs in promoting animal welfare in schools that had been on hold due to Covid -19 containment measures.

Animal Welfare Club sessions and the current Competency Based Curriculum (CBC). Some of the schools have projects that are being spearheaded by the learners who went through the program.

TRAINING EDUCATORS ON A DIGITAL EDUCATION PLATFORM TO INSPIRE ACTION

*Teachers Taken Through Training on the Digital Platform ILearnAbout Facilitated by Kay Smith*

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