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. 

CHINA DONATES ANTI-POACHING EQUIPMENT TO MAASAI MARA GAME RESERVE

Chongqing Municipal Government donated cameras, binoculars and other equipment to Maasai Mara Game Reserve. The donations are aimed at tracking down poachers as well as monitoring animal movements at the reserve.

Sun Zhengcai, a member of the political bureau of the communist party of China and Secretary of the Chongqing City, presented the equipment to Narok county governor Samuel Ole Tunai at a ceremony held at Keekorok Lodge. Also present during the ceremony were Principal Secretaries Ibrahim Mohammed (Tourism), Richard Lesyambe (Environment), KWS director William Kiprono and Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) managing director Muriithi Ndegwa.

A partnership agreement on tourism and trade between the county and the Chinese Municipality was also signed in a ceremony that was witnessed by Judy Wakhungu the Environment Cabinet Secretary.

While receiving the equipment, Tunai acknowledged that the donations will help fight poaching and added that the county would employ more rangers to help in the anti-poaching fight. He urged the local communities around the reserve to help in the fight and effectively participate in wildlife conservation because it is their heritage and source of income. He also noted that the number of Chinese visitors to the park stands at 50,000 and was optimistic it could hit 100,000 by end year.

Source: Standard Digital

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