Animal Welfare Highlights: March 2024

Kenyans Celebrate World Wildlife Day in Naivasha

In March, ANAW participated in a memorable celebration of World Wildlife Day alongside Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Naivasha station among other stakeholders. This global event observed every year on March 3, honors the incredible diversity of wild animals and plants while recognizing their invaluable contributions to our planet.

The theme for this year’s World Wildlife Day was, "Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation," which resonated with ANAW's mission of promoting innovative approaches to wildlife conservation.

In the lead-up to World Wildlife Day, ANAW and KWS organized a creative competition involving learners from Mvuke Primary School, Kongoni Primary School, and Junior Secondary School. The competition, which included essay writing on wildlife and the environment, creative writing, and drawing, showcased the talents and enthusiasm of young conservationists. Winners were honored and received thoughtful gifts such as books, solar lamps, wall clocks, and wristwatches, encouraging their continued engagement in conservation activities.

Showing Compassion and Fostering Protection in De-snaring and Rescues

March 2024 marked a month of courage and compassion as the ANAW team in collaboration with KWS embarked on two daring de-snaring operations in Nakuru and Machakos Counties. In the heart of these wild landscapes, the team’s efforts resulted in the recovery of 171 snares, including 122 live snares and 49 dead snares, ensuring the safety of our wildlife.

These numbers reflect not just the snares lifted, but the lives protected and the habitats preserved.

However, the mission extended beyond removal of snares. During the Nakuru County operation, ANAW’s partnership with the KWS Veterinary Unit proved pivotal. Life-saving treatments were administered to an ailing Oryx, providing antibiotics and metabolic stimulants to restore its health. Similarly, an adult Zebra, bearing the scars of trauma with limb lameness and swelling, found relief through expert medical care, including pain management and ivermectin treatment to reduce tick infestation.

Turtle Conservation Triumphs Along Kenya's Coastlines

The beaches of Msambweni and Funzi were buzzing with activities as ANAW’s supported and dedicated turtle monitoring groups sprang into action, carrying out beach patrols that uncovered exciting nesting activities and led to crucial conservation efforts.

During recent beach patrols, two nesting of eggs were observed in the Msambweni area at Kaya Imani Cottages and Kazikazi Cottages. Additionally, another nesting was reported in Funzi at the Mzae area.

The Msambweni turtle monitoring group is leading the charge in protecting marine life and preserving coastal ecosystems through their dedicated efforts. Each month, as it was in March 2024, they organize cleanup activities along the Msambweni coastline, tirelessly removing plastic waste to prevent turtles from ingesting harmful debris and to keep the beaches clean from pollution.

In addition to their cleanup activities, the Msambweni Marine Turtle Conservation Group (MTCG) has been actively engaging partners and community groups to raise awareness about turtle conservation. They recently held meetings with ORP at Msambweni Social Hall, where facilitators were trained to educate schools and communities about the importance of turtle conservation. A similar awareness session took place at Munje offices with the Mafanikio Self Help Group, amplifying their outreach efforts and inspiring others to join the cause.

Poultry Welfare: ANAW's New Collaboration with Partner Africa

ANAW's team, in collaboration with Partner Africa conducted two intensive trainings in preparation for field assessments. These trainings were instrumental in equipping the team with the expertise needed to evaluate poultry welfare practices effectively.

Protecting Donkeys: ANAW's Vaccination Clinic in Moyale Sub-County, Marsabit

ANAW, in partnership with the Marsabit County Department of Veterinary Services and with support from WTG, in March organized a vital donkey vaccination clinic in Moyale Sub-County. This initiative targeted the villages of Heilu, Sololo, and Golbo, where a total of 985 donkeys received essential vaccinations against Rabies and Tetanus diseases. Additionally, the donkeys underwent deworming treatments and were provided with multivitamins to enhance their overall well-being.

Beyond the medical interventions, community members were also engaged and sensitized on key issues affecting donkeys, such as theft and illegal movement across borders. Emphasis was placed on the importance of donkey security to safeguard these valuable animals. This collaborative effort reflects ANAW's ongoing commitment to animal welfare and community education, ensuring the health and safety of donkeys in Marsabit County.

31 Critical Animal Welfare Cases Attended to at Colobus Trust

In March, Colobus Conservation in partnership with ANAW demonstrated its unwavering dedication to animal welfare and the conservation of primates through the handling of 31 critical cases at the clinic. These cases encompassed a diverse range of species, including vervets, Sykes monkeys, Baboons, Colobus monkeys, and a Bush baby. Notably, the successful treatment and release of 17 Sykes monkeys back into their natural habitat underscored the organization's commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of these remarkable primates.

Media Investigation Project Uncovers Illegal Bush Slaughter of Donkeys

Following media reports of wanton bush slaughter of donkeys, ANAW supported by WTG partnered with K24 TV, (one of the largest independent media houses in East Africa with an estimated 35 million viewers per month) set out to find out the truth. Visiting regions where incidents had been reported and interviewing relevant key players in the illegal slaughter of donkeys as well as government agencies, the station aired a most ominous story dubbed, “The Donkey’s Cry”.

It is hoped that many Kenyans who watched the story will be sensitized on the dangers of the bush-slaughtered products including meat – believed to be sold to unsuspecting Kenyans. It is also hoped that the cartels behind the illegal trade will halt or slow-down on the trade hence save the dwindling donkey population from the knife.

Media Workshop on Cross-border Movement and Illegal Trade of Donkeys

Abuya Palace Hotel, in Moyale town – Marsabit County on March 25, 2024, hosted this year’s media workshop on donkey welfare, organized by ANAW and supported by WTG. This was the third media workshop held to discuss the cross-border and illegal trade of donkeys in the country especially on the Kenya-Tanzania and Kenya-Ethiopia borders. Isiolo and Marsabit towns hosted the first and second media workshops respectively in 2022 and 2023.

The workshop aimed at sensitizing the media and creating awareness among donkey welfare groups and stakeholders. 15 media representatives from national and international media outlets participated in the workshop and encouraged to do what the media should do – shine light in a dark place, even as they carry on with impactful reporting on the cross-border donkey movement and illegal trade of donkeys in East Africa.

Some of the articles emanating from the workshop included:

1. Donkey Skin Business Still On Despite A Ban By The Government - https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/donkey-skin-business-still-on-despite-a-ban-by-the-government/#:~:text=A%20media%20sensitization%20and%20consultative,the%20same%20by%20the%20government
2. Wizi Wa Punda Waongeza Mahangaiko Ya Maji, Kulemaza Biashara Moyale - https://taifaleo.nation.co.ke/makala/wizi-wa-punda-waongezeka-moyale
3. Have You Ever Seen a Donkey Clinic???!!!! Here Is One - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVr9o3SfbDc
4. Serikali za Kenya na Ethiopia sasa zimehimizwa kuchukua hatua za haraka kudhibiti ongezeko la wizi na uchinjaji wa punda - https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=serikali%20za%20kenya%20na%20ethiopia%20sasa%20zimehimizwa
5. Stakeholders raise concern over theft and slaughter of donkeys - https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/north-eastern/2024-03-27-stakeholders-raise-concern-over-theft-and-slaughter-of-donkeys/

AU-IBAR and ANAW Teams Meet to Discuss the Preparations of the Upcoming 8th Africa Animal Welfare Conference (AAWC) - Action 2024

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