The government has issued a stern warming against
private wildlife sanctuary operators over rising security breeches. The warning issued today by the Principal Secretary in
the Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural resources Dr. Richard Lesiyampe
follows the gunning down of a male Black rhino at the Ol Pejeta conservancy in
Laikipia county over the weekend. The killing of the Black rhino by suspected poachers at
the heavily guarded wildlife sanctuary has come under sharp focus from Wildlife
conservationists with calls to declare wildlife poaching as an economic crime.
Speaking at Nakumatt Mega during the launch of a joint
consumer awareness and sales drive between the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Nakumatt
Holdings, Coca-Cola, P&G and Nestle, dubbed Go Wild, Dr. Lesiyampe assured that the
government is handling the matter with the seriousness it deserves.
In a speech read on his behalf by the, Kenya Wildlife
Services (KWS), Deputy Director In charge of Wildlife Conservation, Mr. Patrick
Omondi, the, Principal Secretary confirmed that the government has directed KWS
to step in and provide enhanced security at any game sanctuary deemed to
require such support.
The killing of a Black rhino bull at Ol Pejeta
Conservancy last weekend is a matter of great concern. We are taking the matter
very seriously and I am glad that three suspects have already, been charged in
court, Dr. Lesiyampe said. And added: Beyond this incident, the Ministry of
Environment, Water and Natural Resources has embarked on an urgent review of
security and related matters at all Private Game reserves. We are fully aware
that poaching is not a preserve of private conservancies, but we are also
distressed at the rising cases in these facilities.
To confirm the government commitment to facilitate
maximum security, Dr. Lesiyampe explained that security and related resources
will be mobilized from all national security agencies. We are moving with speed to provide such support to
ensure round the clock surveillance and related resources are, provided through
the ground security forces including the regular and administration police, he said. We have also stepped
up intelligence gathering and security enforcement. Any unscrupulous persons
found within the precincts of any protected reserve handling endangered
wildlife species will be, dealt with firmly, he added.
In the ongoing campaign, Nakumatt Holdings, Regional
Director, Thiagarajan Ramamurthy disclosed that 10% of sales from selected
Coca-Cola, Nestle and P&G products will be donated to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
to boost wildlife conservation efforts at the private sanctuary. This March, you can be part of safeguarding the future
of Kenya's spectacular wildlife, just by shopping at Nakumatt with 10% from
every pack of Coca-Cola, Ariel, Pampers and Milo sold going towards Ol-Pejeta's
efforts to inspire the next generation of wildlife guardians, Ramamurthy said.
Last year, 25,000 schoolchildren passed through the gates
of Ol Pejeta. Plans are underway to create a Noah's Ark out of the existing
building. This will be an engaging and totally unique new way for children and
adults to discover more about the fascinating wildlife that lives on the
Conservancy, and ultimately contribute to the empowerment of a generation to
effect change.
The new centre will be built to look like a real life
Noah's Ark; complete with a bow, a stern and even portholes. Inside the Ark
area there will be interactive wildlife games, a petting area, a play area and
plenty of fun facts to boggle your mind.
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