Animal Welfare Updates: November - December 2021Message from the Executive Director
Dear Friends and Partners, It is my sincere hope that you, your family, colleagues, and friends are well and keeping safe! In the coming few days, we will all be saying bye to this, yet again, extra-ordinary year, 2021. The pangs of Covid-19 pandemic impact have continued to be felt across a wide spectrum of our societies. Indeed, almost all the countries of the world and organizations have experienced the devastating effects of the pandemic. ANAW, was not spared either; our work, demanding a hands-on approach, was affected too, but we found new ways of working. With your unyielding support, we strove with our every energy, even when our arms were too weary, and continued to safeguard the welfare of animals through our various programs. I do reiterate, friends, that; animals continue to face increasing threats to their survival, and support such as you have given to ANAW, especially this year, when many of you have extended your kind generosity to fund even start-up projects. This gesture has gone a long way in giving our animals a chance for survival even in the face of these monumental challenges; and for that, we are, again, forever grateful. In this year I am glad to report that we have been able to achieve many important animal welfare milestones. Of these milestones, at the top was this year’s hybrid (both virtual and physical) Africa Animal Welfare Conference (AAWC) held on November 1 - 3, 2021 in Accra, Ghana and attended by 564 delegates (213 physical delegates and more than 351 attending online). Another notable milestone has been the ongoing Animal Welfare Project at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) that seeks to bring animals to the center stage of the global environmental agenda. To achieve this, ANAW, has been working with the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), World Federation, Compassion in World Farming and other organizations and Member States in particular, in moving forward to realizing the wishes of the AAW Conference – Action 2019 delegates who resolved to have a resolution that recognizes and affirms the contribution and significance of welfare of animals to environmental protection, social justice and sustainable development of society tabled at UNEA, through a member state/s. These are, among other significant achievements that you may read. In conclusion, please allow me, on behalf of the Chairman, Board and staff (ANAW and ANAW-USA), to sincerely thank you for your support in this near-ending year 2021. You have made a great contribution to Africa’s animals and with your continued support, we are without a doubt looking forward to 2022 with renewed energy for the work we do. May you have a delightful Christmas and Prosperous New Year 2022. Josphat Ngonyo, Determined Efforts to Save Animals in the Naivasha Wilderness
Despite having frequent patrols month to month, the team experiences deeply disheartening moments when they encounter sites where an animal has already been exterminated. Usually, the noose of the dead snare is not too far from the slaughter site, and, one has to be keen when combing the bushes for it. If it is not found, a death knell has been sounded for another wild animal. One would find the likely reason of its absence - the lethal snare has been untangled from the dead animal and has been set ready to be re-used on the next victim. Well, this was the case when de-snaring teams comprised of ANAW and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) through the support of Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) made their way through Naivasha’s wilderness in November. The team encountered four sites where a zebra and other unidentified animals had been caught and slaughtered in an intensive four-day de-snaring exercise. The month of December, the exercise was carried out in Soysambu Conservancy by the same team where they patrolled Soysambu Conservancy for four days extracting a total of 42 snares consisting of 33 live and 9 dead snares. The incoming KWS Senior Officer Warden 1, James Kilel who patrolled and combed the bushes in search of snares with the de-snaring team was overly optimistic that with the continued partnership with ANAW, and their eyes trained on the affected area, they were keen to ensure there was zero-poaching within the conservancy and the larger Nakuru County. Emergency Night Rescue of a Female Hyena 
It was difficult to track the hyena, as it took three tries during rescue patrols, but the night rescue took place successfully at about 11 pm in Soysambu Conservancy on November 26, 2021. Amongst 50 hyenas, the rescue team was able to identify the targeted hyena and dart it. The hyena had a snare around its neck as it hobbled with the group. Upon removal, they observed that there were wounds inflicted on by the longstanding snare, one of which was a penetrating wound on the throat area. They were able to clean the wounds and give it antibiotics as well as anti-inflammatories to aid in the healing of the skin. The tranquilized hyena was then re-awakened and released into its habitat. Similarly, on the same month, the ANAW and the KWS teams were able to attend to two (2) zebras in distress. In Mt. Longonot National Park, the first zebra was found with a snare on its right hind limb that had been there for a while causing severe lameness. After anesthesia was applied, the snare was removed. The damage was seen to be quite extensive having eaten up muscle and exposing bone which explained the intense pain exhibited by the animal. The wound was then cleaned and disinfected with Iodine and topical antibiotic sprayed on it. Systemic antibiotics (Amoxicillin), anti-inflammatory (Dexamethasone) as well as antiparasitic (Ivermectin) were administered. The zebra was then given reversal and released. Its movement would be monitored and observed as the wound heals. The team hoped that it would be able to walk well, again. The second zebra was found at Sanctuary Farm in Naivasha. The snare was located on its front right limb and seemed recent and did not cause extensive damage to the leg except leaving a minor bruise. The snare was quickly removed, antiparasitic medicine given and the bruise sprayed with topical antibiotic before the zebra was released to join its fold. Three (3) more zebras were attended to - the first zebra was found in Ol Suswa Farm. It was visibly lame, recumbent and unwilling to move. After darting, the team noticed a visible inflammation and swelling on the leg. The snare was removed, the leg cleaned and disinfected. . The second zebra was in Aquilla Farm in Naivasha. It had a snare on the left hind limb with a severed blood vessel that led to active bleeding. The snare was quite tight and thick and had to be cut with a saw. After removal, the veterinarians cleaned the wound and stitched the bleeder to prevent any further bleeding and then disinfected the wound. They also gave analgesics for pain, antibiotics as well as ivermectin for parasite control. The zebra was then given reversal and was later observed for lameness. It could walk quite well displaying a bit of lameness due to pain but showed high chance of recovery. The third zebra was also located in Aquila Farm. It had supposedly been attacked by a hyena that left a wound on the proximal part of the right hind limb, affecting part of the perineal area and vulval lining. The wound seemed to have been there for some time. It was cleaned disinfected and sprayed with topical antibiotic. The zebra also got systemic antibiotics as well as anti-inflammatories to aid in healing. There is so much that goes on to eliminate the pain of these animals. The team works resiliently, even at odd hours to ensure the welfare of the wildlife is fully catered for. ANAW continues to be a lead-partner to KWS, in ensuring the well-being and conservation of these beautiful wildlife species. Primate Rescue at Colobus Conservation
In the community living along Diani Beach, primates continue to be cared for and protected. A team of veterinarians undertakes crisis and welfare cases at the Animal Clinic in Colobus Conservation, an organization that was established when the locals observed the high number of colobus monkeys’ deaths along Diani Beach Road. ANAW supports the initiative by stationing a veterinarian to assist in rescuing and treating the animals. In November, 14 animal welfare cases comprising seven (7) Sykes, six (6) Colobus and one (1) Vervet monkeys were attended to. Fortunately, two (2) Sykes monkeys were treated and released back to the wild. One (1) juvenile Colobus monkey is under treatment after undergoing successful surgery where its hind limb was amputated. During this festive season, all celebrants visiting the busy Diani Road, are urged to be more careful when driving along the road, to avoid knocking off the primates as they cross the road. Africa Animal Welfare Conference 2021 Presents Outcomes to Ensure Good Animal Welfare Globally
West Africa provided the platform for discussion in deliberations on animal welfare this year. The 5th Africa Animal Welfare Conference – Action 2021 took place from November 1st to 3rd 2021 in Accra, Ghana. The conference which took place at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), brought together more than 564 delegates, of which 213 participated physically in Accra and 351 joined the proceedings via online Zoom link. Countries represented physically included Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Botswana, The Gambia, Morocco, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Senegal, Zimbabwe and Kenya. On its fifth run, the Africa Animal Welfare Conference (AAWC) continued to widen its target scope to include animal health and welfare practitioners, veterinarians, conservationists, the academia, civil society representatives, government officials, animal handlers, researchers, from across the continent. The conference convened more than 30 speakers from different countries whose presentations encapsulated the conference theme dubbed, “One Health, One Welfare - For a Better and Greener Tomorrow”. This hybrid conference was formally opened by Hon. Dr Kwaku Afriyie, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation of the Republic of Ghana. His Excellency ambassador Damptey Bediako Asare, The High Commissioner of Ghana to Kenya, delivered a special address. Mr Alexander Juras, Chief of the Civil Society Unit, United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), Prof. James Nkansah, Chair of ANAW’s Board and Dr Nick Nwankpa, Acting Director, African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), gave their remarks and welcomed delegates to the Conference. Mr Tennyson Williams, Regional Director for World Animal Protection, Africa, Ms Marianne Stele of Donkey Sanctuary and Mr Wolf Clifton Gordon of Animal people gave goodwill messages. The conference was fruitful and productive; full of lively and informative discussion and topics that covered animal agriculture, livestock in wildlife trade, food security and safety, animal welfare standards, environmental health and climate change, social behave change, education and outreach, animal testing, sustainable development, One Health, One Welfare, animal and environmental law, animal welfare legislation, and the current Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa (AWSA). The conference resolutions were well presented by Dr Mwenda Mbaka, an animal welfare expert attached to African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and Dr Dennis Bahati of Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) at the conclusion of the conference. The draft resolutions of the conference included:
Our sincere thanks to the following organizations that financially supported the conference, making it a great success: Animal People, Animal Welfare Institute, A Well-Fed World, ANAW-USA, Center for Animal Law Studies - Lewis & Clark Law School, Compassion in World Farming, Regis University, The Donkey Sanctuary, Welttierschutzstiftung (WTS) and World Animal Protection. Over 90 Community Leaders Sensitized on Donkey Movement Surveillance
Community leaders numbering more than 90 including religious leaders, local administrators, sub-county veterinarians and extension officers were engaged on matters concerning donkey welfare and security. Leaders were encouraged to enhance surveillance of donkey movement along the border and ensure incidences of theft are curtailed. With support from Brooke East Africa, review meetings were conducted in Olposimoru, Oloolaimutia, Magadi and Rombo in Narok and Kajiado counties respectively, with the chiefs and their respective assistants regarding set measures to mitigate donkey theft and smuggling along the border. An effective and coordinated information system has been adopted by most of the chiefs that involves collation and relaying of information relating to security on a daily basis. This has proven to be effective in enhancing donkey security in the area. Through the engagement of several media channels, a post analysis of the closure of the four donkey abattoirs in the four-project areas was conducted. Community members highlighted an increase in donkey numbers and reduction in theft as well as illegal movement along the borders. Below are the some of the media links: Coordinated Efforts to Provide a Solution to Elephants Seeking Water and Food During Heightened Drought
Tensions are on the rise in Taita Taveta as incidences of human-elephant conflicts are on the rise as the drought reached its peak in November. The far-flung rural villages encompassing farms, ranches, households, and conservancies experienced invasion from 12 elephants on the maiden cattle bomas, where they destroyed iron sheets and food stuff on November 15, 2021. Human-wildlife conflict incidences were also reported on November 27, 2021, where two elephants related conflict occurred. One incident involved a herd of 23 elephants invading a borehole water trough. The elephants drained the water inside, drinking it all. A second incident involved a herd of 12 elephants invading the Kiwanjani bomas. They destroyed five (5) iron sheets, where they ate all the food and destroyed six (6) water drums. There is, however, a glimmer of hope; ANAW through her supported Kasighau Wildlife Guardians, remains hopeful that good-will coordination with other key players within the county will see a solution geared towards managing and minimizing the human-wildlife conflict achieved, before the short rains start some time in December. Monitoring the iLearnabout Program after its Launch
Patrons of animal welfare clubs got the exciting opportunity to break ground in tapping into technology where they would freely access available digital resources that develops understanding of local and global environmental conservation through the iLearnabout program in September. The program which depends on them to a large degree, required that they possess the appropriate skills to adapt to the online learning according to the current need of the learners. The selective process led by ANAW, as part of the Promoting Animal Welfare in Schools programs, and iAfrica Foundation focused on launching a pilot project which involved four schools with animal welfare clubs. The schools included Kabiria Primary School, Naromoru Primary School, Thogoto Model Primary School and Emanson Academy. The content is delivered in three modules under the specific topic: Biodiversity. A visit to the schools to monitor the progress of the pilot in November revealed great success in all schools as the learners responded well to the use of digital content. The schools appreciated the choice of delivery of the project, as it complemented the recently introduced national competency-based curriculum program that calls for more engagement and interaction of the learners. The use of the digital equipment reduced the amount of time and energy used by the patrons. The learners are currently running a project of their choice as part of the pilot program. A great example is Kabiria Primary School, where the club established a tree planting campaign. iLearnabout digital education initiative was developed by the IAfrica Foundation to deliver technology, e-learning and connectivity in Africa. The organization is partnering with ANAW to fill a critical gap in children’s education. Support Our Work Here's a great way to support Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) to protect present and future generations of animals. You can do so through the following ways: A Donation A Legacy in Your Will
 |