LAKE TURKANA CULTURAL FESTIVAL - JUNE 2014

The Lake Turkana cultural Festival will take place for the 7th consecutive year in Loyangalani town; on the shores of the awe-inspiring Jade Sea in June 2014 (actual festival dates 13-15 June 2014). This year’s event is co-organized by the County Government of Marsabit, Local Community Festival Committee, Kenya Tourism Board, National Museums of Kenya and Kenya Wildlife Service. Read More

KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE STATEMENT ON STATUS OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

" March 18, 2014 - A suspected poacher was this morning (Monday March 18, 2014) at 1.45 am shot dead in Lake Nakuru National Park while two of his accomplices escaped. The body was taken to the mortuary in Nakuru and assorted weapons, including a bow, four poisoned arrows, spear and food, taken by police. 

Kenya Wildlife Service acting Director General Mr William Kiprono flew to the scene of crime in Lake Nakuru National Park where he addressed journalists and KWS staff. He was accompanied by Mr Francis Kirathe, County AP Commander, Mr Mohammed Birik the County Commissioner and Mr Mbogo County CID boss.

Mr Kiprono noted that Lake Nakuru was one of the most hit by poaching of rhinos, having lost four since the beginning of the year.  Vigilant KWS rangers responded swiftly and recovered horns from three of them while poachers took away one horn. 

At national level, 16 rhinos have been lost, with 13 killed by poachers and three due to natural causes. Last year, Kenya lost a total of 59 rhinos. Thirty elephants have been poached since January this year compared 302 elephants in the whole of last year (2013). These statistics point to an emerging appetite of rhinos horns for an estimated population of 1,036 in the country. However, there is a decline of elephant poaching numbers from 384 in 2012 to 302 elephants in 2013. 

KWS has laid out strategies to counter the runaway poaching for these species and general protection of all wildlife landscapes. KWS has created and equipped a Rapid Deployment Unit to provide support to ranger teams in areas thought to be highly vulnerable including conservancies that host endangered species. This team will join the inter-agency anti-poaching crack unit that was deployed in Narok, Tsavo and Isiolo. 

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL

After the floods, Lake Nakuru is fully open, back into operation and accessible by road.

In a statement released by Kenya Wildlife Service, “The roads that were submerged were on the Northern and Western sections.  Currently, new roads have been done and accompanying drainage structures, including bridges and culverts have been constructed hence the circuit is complete and all-weather. Further, the standard airstrip continues to be operational.

KWS self-catering accommodation-Naishi guesthouse-as well as all tourist lodges in the Park (Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Lake Nakuru Lodge and Flamingo Hill Camp) have not been affected by the rising lake water level. Makalia public campsite and special campsites including Nyuki, Nyati, Chui, Rhino, Reedbuck and Naishi as well as Baboon Cliff, Out of Africa and Lion Hill observation/picnic sites are all open and fully operational.”

Lake Nakuru, besides the flamingos that the lake is famous for, has  approximately 400 other bird species visiting the lake as well as a variety of game including the Rothschild's giraffe, black and white rhino, waterbuck, reedbuck, lion, buffalo, leopard, baboon among many species of plains game.

A PREGNANT ELEPHANT LOSES LIFE TO POACHING

Another Elephant was killed by Poachers Saturday evening in Laikipia. The Pregnant elephant's unborn calf also died. Information posted by Space for Giants stated that, "We are very sorry to post this picture of one of Laikipia's precious young cow elephants who was was found yesterday, having succumbed to gunshot injuries sustained during an attempted poaching incident last Saturday evening. Tragically she was heavily pregnant and her unborn calf who was due to be born any day now, also died. The Laikipia community policing initiative rapid response team & sniffer dogs arrived on the scene to track up the suspects at first light on Sunday morning but were unable to pick up any fresh scents. 

Picture by Anne Powys

The poachers and their backers remain at large.....While we are doing our very best to try and keep elephants secure in this part of the world, we need some help from those who could close the illegal markets in Asia, particulalry in China. In the meantime we will continue to work with the Kenya Wildlife Service, the police and our partners, Ol Pejeta, to bolster security for wildlife here. Sorry for sharing such shocking images but we feel Kenyans and the rest of world should know what is happening to our natural heritage to supply nonsensical trinkets to unsuspecting or poorly informed consumers in Asia." 

STOP THE TRADE!President of Kenya: Please Declare Poaching a National Disaster. Sign pettion here

KENGEN TO OPEN SPA

KenGen will soon be diversifying its portfolio with entry into the tourism industry. It is set to open a full-fledged spa at Olkaria adjoining to the Hell’s Gate National Park. The project is expected to cost Sh25 million is set for completion in February next year and has the backing of the Kenya Wildlife Service, which owns the park.

The spa, to be known as the Direct Use Centre, will also host a geological and geothermal museum tracking the development of geothermal resources in Kenya as well as progression of global technology for converting steam into economic activities. 

The new facility will have open air “lagoons” with water temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius, using brine water with unique healing and medicinal properties. The new health center will also offer steam and sauna rooms for added relaxation and a restaurant.

Visitors will pay normal park entrance fees and pay KenGen an additional fee to use the recreation facility. KWS charges Sh300 for citizens and residents while children pay Sh200 to get into Hell’s Gate National Park, which is a member of the Scenic and Special Interest Parks. Foreign tourists pay $15, the equivalent of Sh1, 275 at current exchange rates.

Other renowned natural spas in the world include Whakarewarewa in New Zealand, Karlovy Vary thermal mineral springs in the Czech Republic, Hamam in Turkey,  Arenal Volcano and Thermal Baths in Costa Rica where tourists pay $65 (Sh5525) per session), Lake Hévíz thermal bath in Hungary, El Tatio in Andes, Chile where the charges are $100 (Sh8,500), Valley of Geysers in Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia; Therme Vals in Switzerland and Bad Gleichenberg in Austria.

Source:  Subinteractive research || ETN

WILLIAM KIPRONO APPOINTED NEW KWS DIRECTOR

William Kibet Kiprono was on Friday appointed the new Director of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) by President Mwai Kibaki. The appointment came two days after the KWS board appointed Peter Leitoro as an acting director to replace Julius Kipng’etich who quit last week. Kipng’etich, retired after eight years of service to the Organisation, and was on Thursday appointed as the Equity Bank Group’s Chief Operating Officer...The big Q now is...What is the background of William Kibet Kiprono that makes him qualified for this job?

William Kiprono

LEITORO APPOINTED ACTING KWS DIRECTOR

Julius Kipng’etich resigned after 8 years of good service at KWS. Among the things Kipng’etich is credited for at the organization is boosting staff, making KWS parks world class parks and fighting for conservation locally and internationally.. In a statement last month, KWS promised stakeholders that his successor would be announced at a later date and Chairman David Mwiraria said that the Board of Trustees and Senior Management Team are committed to ensuring a smooth transition. True to their words, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Board of Trustees appointed Mr Peter Leitoro acting director of KWS with effect from Monday, October 1, 2012 as it awaits communication from the Government.

Mr. Peter Leitoro

Dr. Julius Kipng'etich

Until his appointment, Mr Leitoro has been the KWS Deputy Director in charge of Security for the last seven years.

CYCLE WITH THE RHINO 2012 ON 15TH SEPTEMBER

Cycle with the Rhino is back at Lake Nakuru National Park this Saturday 15^th of September year of our Lord. The event this year will feature the Cycling Race, Game viewing and lots of Kids activities. The annual event aims to raise funds “ to rehabilitate the 74km electric fence, key in providing, a successful Rhino breeding sanctuary, protecting internationally renowned bird’s watcher’s paradise famous for its 1.5 million flamingos, and to undertake community conservation education around Lake Nakuru National Park,” KWS.

 

According to the KWS website Participation fees are as follows;

Individual’s || Ksh. 5,000

Corporate Organizations || Ksh. 50,000

Kids ||1,000

Post to Post sponsors || Ksh. 10,000 (Corporate, a Minimum 10 posts)

Download application form.

Source: KWS || Kenya Wildlife Service 

KWS TRANSLOCATING 150 ELEPHANTS TO MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

First allow me to pass you some gossip I just recieved from Maasai Mara...It rained yesterday night therefore today Wildebeests did not necessarily have to risk it all catching a sip along the banks of Mara River after pools of water emerged as a result of the rain...then there was this click here by Shiyazer Rafique near Mara Serena, AMAAAZING!!!

Friday 24th Aug, The Kenya Wildlife Service posted on their Facebook page...quote:

Previous Translocation Exercise; KWS

" The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is set to begin a month-long exercise from Tuesday, August 28, 2012 to translocate 150 elephants from Narok North District to the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The exercise aims to mitigate rising cases of human-elephant conflict in the area. The translocation is set to greatly minimize the human-elephant conflict particularly regarding to crop raids, property destruction, human injuries and death.
It is also expected to reduce incidences of elephant mortalities and reduce KWS expenditures on Problem Animal Control (PAC).
This is the second phase of the translocation exercise. In the first phase carried out late last year, a total of 62 elephants were successfully moved from Narok North District to the Maasai Mara.
These elephants have since been monitored intensively by GSM/GPS satellite collars, aerial and ground patrols.
A number of the translocated elephants will also be fitted with GSM/GPS collar chips to monitor and track their movements. Rapid change in lifestyle of local communities from pastoralists to crop farming and other incompatible land-use practices have tremendously led to increased human wildlife conflict in the Narok County.

Such conflict in many areas is mainly attributed to increased human population and loss of elephant habitat due to uncontrolled human activities, especially crop farming, charcoal burning and human settlements.

Narok County is currently designated as one of the human-wildlife conflict (HWC) hotspots in the country with elephants identified as the most problematic wildlife species.
Earlier this year, KWS launched a national elephant conservation and management strategy. The document provides a clear roadmap for conservation and management of elephants in Kenya for the next 10 years.

The elephant strategy seeks to reduce cases of human-elephant conflict and increase the value of elephants to people and habitats. It outlines strategies KWS and other conservation partners will use to protect the species, particularly in key strategic locations, such as dispersal areas, migration corridors and in the human-elephant conflict hotspots such as the Narok ecosystem."

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