The number of wildlife species killed by speeding vehicles on our roads is increasing due to carelessness and ignorance. This is happening even in remote areas where there is no busy traffic.

The picture below shows a beautiful reticulated giraffe  knocked down recently by a speeding lorry at the Garissa Giraffe Sanctuary.

In a stretch of less than one kilometer over 15 wildlife species were observed to have been killed by speeding vehicles in Rift Valley. Among them were the african civet, tortoise, genet and bird species .

Improper development plans are a disastrous to our wildlife species survival. At a slaughter house in North Eastern Kenya over 5 marabou stocks are electrocuted everyday as they patch on uninsulated electric wires. The stocks visit the center to feed on meat remains.

Our members are saddened by people who keep and mistreat wild animals for commercial reasons. In an Eco-lodge near the Tanzania border the condition of ‘Suzanne’ kept for visitors to watch is pathetic. She is never fed, never free from her huge chain and really looks miserable. See her photo below.

In our country Kenya more than 70% of our animals live outside the protected areas. This means they live with me and you. Its high time that we learn to live with our wildlife. The Wildlife Clubs of Kenya through its members and Born Free Foundation has been undertaking desnaring activities in some bush meat hot spots. Over 2000 snares have been captured.The number of animals killed is alarming. Some animals escape with the snares and end up having a painful slow death.

These are just few examples, and such disappointing occurrences are happening in every corner of this world.

Awareness creation, initiating wildlife conservation activities, lobbying and desnaring are some of the key activities the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya is undertaking to safeguard our wildlife. However there is need for we humans to be more humane to wildlife species and better conservation policies put in every country.

By

Gabriel

Share This

Which are some of the activities?

Visiting our National Parks

Primary school pupils as well as Secondary school and Tertiary level students have an opportuity to visit our National parks. This gives them ample time to learn about Wildlife. By visiting the parks our youth who comprise over 70% of the Kenyans population develop a positive attitude towards Wildlife and conservation in general. Today a majority of people working in the Conservation sector were once Wildlife Club members.

Mobile Education Unit Programs

Our Outreach programs reach schools and communities in every corner of Kenya. This free Program screens Wildlife Conservation films educates Kenyans. By visiting remote places the program helps to address specific conservation issues in these areas.

Tree Planting & Labeling

This is one of the most popular activity in our schools. Indigenous trees are planted around school compounds and nearby degraded forest parches. Guidelines are provided on where to plant exotic trees.

 Creating Wildlife Habitats

By Planting indigenous trees in degraded forest patches and school compounds, wildlife habitats are well restored. Also bird feeding tables, and bird baths are constructed in schools.

The Art & Essay Competitions

Our School children are given an opportunity to explore their drawing and writing talents. This helps our youth to think positively about wildlife and even understand it better. Winners are given presents and taken for a one week trip to various National Parks free of charge.

Komba Magazine: Reading & Articles

Schools Receive three isses of Komba magazine evry uear free of charge. The Komba magazine good information and pictures on Wildlife conservation. School children also send articles to be published in the Komba magazine.

Training Teachers

Teachers act as important argent’s of change to the society. Many teachers serve as volunteer wildlife patrons in their regions. Teachers are trained on various conservation issues including how to initiate and run conservation projects with schools and communities.

Other Activities

Many other conservation  activities are undertaken by schools and communities. They include rallies, debates, discussions, initiating nature trails, fishponds, museums, creating notice boards, paper recycling, desnaring and lobbying. Also innovative activities like SODIs water treatment, making wildlife spotters, among others are encouraged in our schools.

Wildlife activities enable school children and communities to learn and understand nature conservation though action doing.

 By

Gabriel

Share This

We pay special tribute to many organizations and individuals who have donated various conservation films to our conservation programs. We kindly appeal for more of such support. Indeed the films are an effective conservation education tool.

With the support from interested individuals and organizations, Wildlife Clubs of Kenya would like to initiate an idea of making Community/School Conservation Films.

Why Make Community/Schools Conservation films?

• The documentaries/films will be locally made, hence they will create a sense of belonging and voice to the local people. Therefore they will be more interested to watch.
• The films will be made in local language hence easy for communities to understand.
• The films will focus on relevant community conservation challenges. They will be specific to the local conservation  problem.
• They will offer solutions/alternatives to the local conservation challenges.
• Accessibility:The films will be shown and distributed to schools and communities.
• To cope with our quickly rising audience and demand    (Schools and community groups)
• They will form a great package to our Mobile education Unit Programs that educates over 500 schools and reaches over 300,000 school children and local communities countrywide every year.

Do we have the ability?

Yes, our well structured grassroot networking will make it easy to make and distribute the films to local communtities/schools country wide. This will be throgh schools, students, teachers, community groupes and partnering organizations.

Thanks to Dr. David Harper of Leicester University, some of our staff members have received training on how to make films through the ‘Community Conservation Film Making Training Program.’ We shall use our trained staff and even consult with the Training team while making the Films.

For us to initiate this program we are kindly appealing to interested individuals and organizations to help us with some filming equipments whether new or used). For example:

• Mackintosh laptop
• Final Cut Pro editing program & iDVD
• A Video camera with required specifications ( input & output connectors, card slot/tape loading, LCD monitor, DVD recording, >5 mega pixels & camera conveniences).
• Other filming gears ( external mike, tripod)

Thank you so much

Gabriel

Share This

The Program Plan’s to Link Kenya’s Athletes and Schools in Wildlife Conservation Activities.
During the Central Rift valley visit in May 08, the Mobile Education Officer, Gabriel, had an opportunity to interact with one of the Kenya’s 1998-2002 professional athlete, Mr. Simion Biwot. He has participated in various World Athletics Championships and notably was the Course Record Holder of 1999 Monterey Half Marathon Championship and 2001 World Championship Silver Medalist in Edmond Canada.
According to him, pristine forests have played a vital role in the Kenyan’s athlete’s success. The forests offer good and moist training grounds as well as fresh air. Continued destruction of these areas is therefore a big set back for them today.
They appreciate the role played by the Wildlife Clubs of kenya’s Mobile Education Unit in Educative Kenyan School Children and involving them in wildlife conservation activities.
“I’m sure conservation will succeed if all Kenyans will understand how important natural resources are to their well being. As athletes and school children will play a major role if they are brought on board” Concluded Mr Biwot.

Linking our athletes to wildlife conservation activities would be the best way forward that will inspire many Kenyas to act on the conservation challenges faced today.

The Wildlife Clubs of Kenya’s Mobile Education Unit is a popular program in Kenyan schools. Its offered at a no cost to any school. Much gratitudes is to all wellwishers and orgnizations who have tirelessly supported this program. We kindly appeal for more material and financial help from interested individuals and organizations.

Share This

” width=”425″ height=”350″/]

Share This

Lectures, talks, exhibitions and demonstrations are held. Visitors are introduced to the Center’s living resources - Nairobi National Park and the Nairobi Safari Walk, which provide a base for out door education.

After the talks, visitors are encouraged to explore the natural world around by walking through the Mokoyeti Nature Trail.

Share This

This is a huge project for us and any help is welcome. To finish the Centre we need millions of shillings. The following are photos of the progress reached so far.

Share This

It gets interesting everyday and we discover new activities with the children. The fun and educational films, talks on conservation and Wildlife club activities as well as educational materials issued makes the program a preference to both teachers and students. Possible solutions on rampant cases of human wildlife conflicts were discussed during the visits as well as ways of creating wildlife habitats.

Public awareness is an important component in conservation and therefore this program is a vital tool, but even much more, the films and activities are practical teaching aides to subjects theoretically taught in the schools. It’s vivid, this free program has to keep going for the benefit of Kenyan youth and public at large. We thank all individuals and organizations who have tirelessly supported this program. And we kindly appeal for more financial and material support. Lets educate our youth, they are the future conservationists.

Share This

Share This

Share This