Animal Welfare Updates - June 2022

Primates in Diani Treated and Released

Fascinating monkey and baboon families tumbling and swinging from tree to tree is characteristic of the beautiful ocean side town of Diani. If one explores the natural habitat closely, they might find bushbabies, owls, and bats. Colobus Conservation perches in place to continue caring for these creatures.

Just this month, the Animal Welfare Clinic logged 10 cases including four (4) Colobus monkeys, four (4) Sykes monkeys, and one (1) Vervet monkey, and one (1) baboon. Two (2) Colobus, one (1) Sykes and one (1) Vervet monkeys were treated and released back to the wild. One abandoned infant Vervet monkey has entered the long-term rehabilitation program.

The partnership between ANAW and Colobus Conservation Centre in Diani, Kwale County continues to promote compassion, care and protection of the primates in the ecosystem.

Snared Dog Encountered as Veterinarians Undertake a De-snaring Exercise

The intricate types of snares are designed to target specific wildlife across Kenya’s wilderness. The snare targeted for buffalos is large thick and layered wires, mostly from telephone and electricity poles while the snare meant for smaller wildlife is one single loop of wire that is easily accessible. There were also unfortunate instances where snares trapped animals not targeted.

In June, a dog was found entrapped and struggling to free itself from a snare tethered on its neck during a de-snaring operation. A team of veterinarians representing Vet Treks (select Veterinarians from United States of America) joined in the group effort of the de-snaring team consisting of Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Maanzoni scouts in a one-day de-snaring operation at Kwa Kyelu Ranch, in Machakos County, east of Nairobi Capital. The team managed to rescue the dog by removing the snare that would have certainly caused its death by strangulation. The dog was rescued and released to resume its life.

In this month, one de-snaring activity was carried out and two emergency wildlife rescue missions were conducted. The team managed to lift 45 wire snares.

Buffalo and Wildebeest Rescued in Nakuru and Machakos Counties

A wire snare that had been set achieved its objective when a buffalo was snared in Hells Gate National Park. The ANAW rescue team in partnership with KWS veterinary unit and Hells Gate team rescued a male buffalo with a winch wire snare on the left front foot at Hells Gate National Park in Naivasha. After revival, the team helped the animal to its feet as the animal had difficulty waking up. The Hells Gate team was left to care and monitor the progress of the animal.

Following an alert, ANAW rescue team in partnership with KWS veterinary unit set out to rescue a female wildebeest that was sighted near Manzoni Lodge. With the help of the ranch scouts, the team had been able to successfully locate and dart the animal.

In a different operation, the ANAW team in partnership with KWS attended to a male wildebeest with a long neck wire snare at Manzoni ranch in Machakos County. The animal that was sighted and reported to KWS by Manzoni scouts was dragging a long shiny wire snare going around neck crossing along one horn. The snare, which was still very lose, was safely removed after the animal was immobilized. The animal was treated for minor injuries unrelated to snare and safely released back to the wild.

A third attempt to locate a specific zebra reported to have a snare on its hind foot removed was successful. The animal was then darted, treated and safely released.

Indeed, it was a busy month for ANAW’s de-snaring and rescue team as they answered to many calls, requesting for help to give life to different injured and suffering animal species. The partnership with different stakeholders including Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and various ranches has been commendable.

Successful Spay-Neuter and Anti-Rabies Vaccination Take Place in Machakos County

Veterinary practitioners from across the country continue to vaccinate cats, dogs, donkeys and other animals against rabies in an effort to implement the National Rabies Elimination Strategy. With this vision, ANAW and Vet Treks Foundation in partnership with the County Government of Machakos (Department of Veterinary Services), Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA) and TNR Trust carried out an anti-rabies vaccination and spay-neuter campaign in Masii area, Mwala Sub County in Machakos County.

The anti-rabies campaign aimed at controlling rabies outbreak in Machakos County which is recognized as one of the most rabies endemic counties in Kenya. The campaign further helped to address concerns of unvaccinated animals and overpopulation of dogs and cats in Machakos County, promote better treatment of animals as well impact knowledge to area vet professionals.

The exercise helped to sterilize 183 animals and vaccinate 1,115 animals, including 109 dogs, 45 cats and 29 stray dogs. The animals were vaccinated against rabies and dewormed. In addition, the community was educated on animal welfare and proper animal care.

Bushmeat Confiscated in Kasigau Ranch as Cases of Human-Wildlife Conflict Decline

Fomented conservation initiatives continue their work as small game are covertly killed for bushmeat at the 52, 305-acre Kasigau Ranch. Wildlife passing through the ranch, which is located in the migratory corridor between Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks, become vulnerable to poaching causing greater need for strong conservation measures.

In the month of June, Kasigau Guardians received and responded to four (4) incidences where they were able to confiscate bush pig and dik dik meat in two different patrols at Rubi area. The team was able to remove three (3) snares and observed human movements and flashlights during the night patrols.

Kasigau Guardians also confiscated logs and transported them to the ranch headquarters after reports of logging were issued. No cases of human-wildlife conflict reported this month. In the month of June, the ANAW-sponsored Guardians covered 24 patrol areas.

Humpback Whale Sighted and Buried by Turtle Monitors in Msambweni

Revellers of the Kenyan coast travel to the shores of the Indian Ocean to experience with glee, awe and wonder at the migration of the majestic humpback whales every year. It was, however, sombre for a group of four (4) turtle monitors when they received information from a fisherman that a dead humpback whale was sighted along the Msambweni coastline on June 20, 2022. KWS officials were promptly informed and together with the group, buried the great animal. The cause of death was not immediately determined.

The group also conducted daily beach patrols providing security, searching for nesting information and turtle cases although none has been recorded yet.

June was a month of celebration for the turtles of Diani as residents and representatives from various organizations gathered during the Diani Sea Turtle Festival at Safari Beach Hotel to honour the World Sea Turtle Day on June 19, 2022. ANAW participated in the event, which was organized by Conservation Education Society. Twelve (12) organizations had an opportunity to showcase their work.

Cage Free Chicken Farming Discussed at Workshop in Nakuru

ANAW in partnership with Open Wing Alliance (OWA) embraced the opportunity to present its work on cage free poultry project and the strides made in pushing for better poultry welfare in the country at a workshop held on June 30, 2022, in Nakuru County.

The meeting which was organised by Healthier Hens was held at ACK Cathedral Church of Good Shepherd. The meeting engaged with poultry farmers to raise awareness on chicken welfare as well promote cage free farming systems for chicken.

African Major Groups and Stakeholders Deliberate on UNEA 5 Achievements in Rabat, Morocco

Civil society groups and organizations from across the continent assembled in an African Major Groups and Stakeholders meeting that was organised jointly by United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), ANAW and Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection in Rabat, Morocco on June 20 - 21, 2022.

The meeting reviewed the achievements of UNEA 5 and considered the preparations that needed to be made in readiness for UNEA 6 in 2024. The group had opportunity during the meeting to interact with the UNEA 6 president, Hon. Mrs Leila Benali, who is also the minister responsible for environment in the Kingdom of Morocco.

Agreement Signed as United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Renews Cooperation with Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW)

The UN Environment Programme and the Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) have renewed their partnership by the signing of the Cooperation Agreement for three (3) years on June 2, 2022. This agreement will take the successful cooperation of ANAW with UNEP and its governing bodies, in particular the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), to a new level, thus contributing to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It builds on a previous agreement signed on August 19, 2019, and aims at building the capacity of Major Groups and Stakeholders, including civil society in Africa.

Since 2017, the parties have collaborated in planning and implementing the Africa Animal Welfare Conference – Action 2017 and 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya, 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020 virtually, 2021 in Accra, Ghana and look forward to hosting the Africa Animal Welfare Conference – Action 2022 in Gaborone, Botswana providing also an opportunity for participating organizations to discuss their engagement with the United Nations Environment Assembly.

“We are happy to continue our successful collaboration with ANAW and we look forward to working together in implementing activities that benefit the environment in Africa and beyond. In this context it is the right approach that our cooperation goes beyond animal welfare, looking at crosscutting issues, and aiming to encourage meaningful engagement from NGOs across Africa in UNEP and UNEA related activities,” said Alexander Juras, Chief of the Civil Society Unit, UN Environment Programme.

The renewed agreement will provide a framework for cooperation to guide the collaboration between UNEP and ANAW and it will further their shared goals on animal welfare, including wildlife, environment, and sustainable development.

ANAW appreciated the cooperation between the two parties and underlined that it helps to reach out to civil society partners in Africa that did not engage with UNEP or ANAW so far.

“The cooperation allows ANAW as one of the Major Groups and Stakeholders, with network partners and other civil society organizations, to partner with the UN Environment Programme. ANAW is committed to ensuring that the tenets agreed in the Cooperation Agreement are implemented for the betterment of animals, people, and the environment.” Josphat Ngonyo, ANAW’s Executive Director stated.

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