June 2021 Animal Welfare Updates

ANAW URGED TO USE SMART ANIMAL WELFARE STRATEGIES THAT ENGAGE WOMEN AND YOUTH

It was pomp and color as ANAW launched her new 5-year Strategic Plan (2021 – 2025) at Michuki Memorial Park, in Nairobi, on June 23, 2021. Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Environment and Forestry, Hon. Keriako Tobiko who graced the historic event urged ANAW to give recognition and prominence to women and the youth when implementing the new Strategic Plan.

“Women are the best protectors of natural resources; engage them. You must also locate the youth centrally within the implementation strategy for they have the energy and innovative minds to drive the positive change you seek in animal welfare and environmental conservation.” he said. “Again, I must applaud you for including environmental conservation in your strategy – this, is in a way, ‘trying to make peace with nature’ as recommended in United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP's) report ‘Making Peace with Nature’.” CS Tobiko added.

“As human beings we are the stewards and custodians of these animals – to tenderly care for them. To respect them. To protect them. And more importantly, to preserve them not just for ourselves but for our children and children’s children.” He further appealed.

On his part, ANAW’s Executive Director, Mr. Josphat Ngonyo said that the key lesson learnt from the just ended Strategic Plan (2016-2020) was the interdependency and connectivity of animals, environment, and human health. “The new Strategic Plan has adopted One Health - One Welfare approach interconnecting animal welfare, human well-being, and the environment.” he said. “Moreover, the new strategy fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to improve environmental protection, human and animal welfare internationally for a better, greener, and sustainable world.” He emphasized.

Prof. Janet Rumfelt - President of the Board, ANAW-USA in her congratulatory message said, “I gladly acknowledge that ANAW achieved major strides during the just ended strategic period and I am happy to note that the new strategic plan promises to propel ANAW to a higher level in its work.”

The Judiciary Training Institute (JTI) Director and Judge of Court of Appeal - Hon. Justice Kathurima M' Inoti, during his good-will message to ANAW said, “The centrality of the environment in our lives cannot be over-emphasized. I thank ANAW for including it in their strategy.” “Importantly, I thank ANAW for the continuous support in building capacity for Environment and Land Court (ELC) judges and magistrates through annual conferences.

More than 50 guests attended the launch including; The UNEP, the Kenya Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), animal welfare and environmental conservation organizations among other ANAW partners and friends.

To watch the summary video clip of the Strategic Plan Launch, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlqkB69oLNw

To read/download ANAW's 5 year Strategic Plan: click link: https://bit.ly/3zqv55a

COMMUNITY-LED CONSERVANCIES EMBARK ON WILDLIFE DE-SNARING

Naretunoi Conservancy in Kitengela, Kajiado County on June 18, 2021, played host to a de-snaring training exercise that saw 25 community scouts from different conservancies in Kitengela and Machakos trained on effective removal of snares, normally set up in wildlife areas by poachers.

These, mainly wire snares are used for illegal game meat hunting, mostly in wildlife hotspots, south and west of Kenya. The vice is on the verge of becoming a national disaster and high risk for public health given the large volumes of wildlife carcasses intercepted by law enforcement agents while on transit for commercial sale to unsuspecting consumers.

The ANAW team underscored the importance the organization places on preserving the wildlife for future generations as well as her prime mandate to eliminate suffering and cruelty meted on all animals.

Further, the trainees were also taken through wildlife management skills by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), ANAW, The Wildlife Foundation (TWF), Naretunoi Conservancy and Kenya Wildlife Conservancy Association (KWCA).

SOUTH COAST TURTLE STAKEHOLDERS’ WORKSHOP HELD

ANAW in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) conducted a one-day turtle stakeholder’s workshop on June 3, 2021, at Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park headquarters.

ANAW which has been partnering with coastal turtles monitoring groups in the past, had seen the need to engage more partners to expand the scope of monitoring and conserving turtles. Hence the workshop was aimed at assessing the possibility of working with new partners in turtles’ conservation along the Kenya’s south coast. Msambweni, Funzi and Mashimoni turtle monitoring groups, who also attended the workshop, expressed their interest in partnering with ANAW to safeguard the welfare of turtles within the region.

KASIGHAU GUARDIANS RECORDS RISING HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT CASES

The ANAW-supported wildlife guardians conducted 21 patrols within the expansive community ranch in the month of June, to protect Kasighau’s wildlife.

During these patrols, the guardians noted increased incidences of human-wildlife conflict as one of the Kasigau’s ranch herds-man was attacked by a charging male buffalo sustaining serious body injuries and was rushed to the hospital for specialized treatment. Equally devastating, a rangers’ campsite at Kiwanjani was attacked by a lone marauding elephant destroying their kitchen, food and four water tanks.

Arising from the reported escalating human-wildlife conflict cases, ANAW will be seeking to help equip the guardians with strong spotlights, solar charger and sounding horns or thunder flash to scare animals away from their camp.

FOUR PRIMATES FREED FROM PAIN AND RELEASED TO JOIN THEIR FOLD

During the month of June, Colobus Conservation – Primates Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre saw a total of 17 welfare (5 Sykes, 8 Colobus and 4 Vervets) cases attended to. Four cases were treated and released to join their fold, and 1 was transferred to another clinic facility.

Good news; two Colobus, one Vervet and 1 Sykes were treated and released back to the wild.

ANAW continues to support the important work of conserving the primates by providing a resident veterinary officer.

BUILDING BACK TOGETHER TO PROMOTE ANIMAL WELFARE IN SCHOOLS

Covid-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns disrupted the normal learning in all institutions of learning world-wide. Kenya’s institutions were not spared - hence running of ANAW’s Promoting Animal Welfare (PAWS) program was majorly affected.

PAWS program has been providing a unique opportunity for learners in 41 schools across five counties (Kiambu, Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos and Nairobi) to engage in animal knowledge through club lessons, environmental outreach such as tree planting and other creative activities within the school precincts.

To chart the way forward and build back better together in this pandemic period, a patrons’ meeting was held online on June 12, 2021, with 17 schools’ club’s patrons attending. The agenda was three-fold; one, the next step after Covid; two, what support do the patrons need to continue with the program and; three, what can the patrons do under the circumstances.

The patrons agreed to carry on with the program by adapting to the new normal using materials shared to them online, as well as using the materials they have at their disposal and the new materials that ANAW was developing.

Amidst all the challenges, there were some heart-warming stories from the schools. In Matungulu Primary School, one of the club members rescued seven puppies at the school’s fence. Yet again, one member of Emanson Academy Club adopted a dog that he feeds every day.

Prof. Sarah Bexel, a humane education expert from the University of Denver, addressed the school patrons during the online meeting and shared on the importance of humane education and the positive impact on the learners. “Humane education provides students with knowledge, awareness, and information-gathering skills so that they can make humane and sustainable decisions and be active in creating a more humane world.” She counselled.

Change of Dates: 5th Africa Animal Welfare Conference (AAWC), Action 2021.

We would like to kindly inform you that the conference dates have been changed from September as earlier planned, and the conference will now take place from the 1st to 3rd November 2021 (arrival Sunday 31st October and departure Thursday 4th November).

You can choose to register to attend either physically in Accra, Ghana or virtually from the comfort of your home or workspace.

Physical attendance registration link: https://www.aawconference.org/registration/2021/

Virtual attendance registration link: https://www.aawconference.org/registration/2021/virtual/

To find out more about the conference click here: http://www.aawconference.org

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