MA Y 2015 The HandsfOf Our Elephants Campaign Newsletter T N W A R R G The month of May marked the first anniversary since Satao's death. Satao was probably the biggest Tusker in Kenya, if not in the world. He was speared by a poacher's poisoned arrow and died on 30th May. ! Community program officer Robert Kaii with a copy of the just published Guide Book WildlifeDirect's Guide book to Kenya's Wildlife Act is out! The guide, which will be distributed in all the 47 counties across the country, is designed to involve the Kenyan public in understanding the new law that will govern Wildlife management and conservation. "I am really excited that this book is finally published and ready for distribution," says Robert Kaii, the program officer who spearheaded the writing and publishing of the book."I travelled throughout the country meeting communities and wildlife stakeholders, had lengthy discussions and got recommendations on the content of the book before finally going to press. Their contribution and input has been invaluable towards finally having a guide book that speaks to the people it is intended for," says Robert. ''For a long time, there has been debates on different options to engage the community in wildlife conservation, and what a better way to do that than by making them understand Wildlife law in a simplified way that explains their rights and their responsibilities in regard to the law!'' he added The guide book is available at our offices in Karen Connection, offices 8&9. E S To remember his life, and to create awareness about the few remaining big tuskers in Kenya, we invited our followers on Facebook and Twitter to participate in the #SataoChallenge. The challenge included different activities that our followers could participate in including changing their social media profile pictures to pictures of tuskers; to sign a petition urging the President to offer armed protection to the remaining tuskers; to visit national parks to see elephants and finally a call contribute to an open letter to the newly appointed chairman of KWS, Dr Richard Leakey, with suggestions for him on how to deal with wildlife crime. Some of the suggestion for Dr Leakey included to declare elephants a national treasure, to reduce the Singapore/ Thailand seizures Independent investigation by Wildlife Direct has revealed that the main person involved in the ivory export is Nicholas Jefwa. He remains at large. However the National Police Service has charged him in absentia at the Mombasa Law Courts. Vietnamese National case Anh Tuan, a Vietnamese national, was arrested on 16th May 2015 was arraigned at Kibera court on the 18th May 2015 for possession of 15kgs of rhino horn on the price of park entry fees, to burn Kenya's entire ivory stockpile, to reduce the number of camps and lodges at the Maasai Mara among others. By the time of going to press, there was over a hundred suggestions for Dr Leakey. WildlifeDirect will present these suggestions to Dr Leakey on 5 June, the world Environment day. The Remembering Satao page stays live. Visit it here: C In the month of May, our legal department was following up on these cases: Satao, (courtesy of Mark Deeble) 18/05/2015. However he could not plead either guilty or not guilty due to a language. He was charged with possession of wildlife trophy contrary to section 95 of the WCMA. C B Policy Regulation Wildlife Direct has been a participant at the KWS Experts Meeting on the 2015 Wildlife Conservation and Management Act Regulations held at Ole Sereni on the 27th May 2015. WLD participated as a stakeholder in reviewing and moderating the 18 pieces of regulation developed by KWS consultants. They will be gazetted by the Cabinet Secretary to guide the operationalisation of key parts of the Act. On a sad note, we broke the news of the retaliatory killing of elephants, by community members of Ilbisil, Kajiado County. A calf was speared as well as it's mother and another juvenile. working to find lasting solutions. The community claimed that the elephants had been causing great problems for them, The community claimed that the elephants had been causing great problems for them, and that KWS had been ignoring their calls for help. WildlifeDirect condemned the killing of these elephants and urged the relevant government agencies to respond to community concerns in a timely manner. We also pleaded with the local community to stop killing elephants as the authorities were working to find lasting solutions. Wild P TPWF has given a very generous donation to WildlifeDirect which will be used to advance our organisation's work with Court monitoring of wildlife crimes and in enhancing relations with the Chinese community, especially those residing in Kenya. The Perfect World Foundation is a Swedish based non-profit independent organization established in 2010 to raise The purpose of the Perfect awareness, funding, and to take World Foundation is to take action together with animal and action for and increase F The Perfect World Foundation's founders Mr and Mrs Jacobsson pose with WildlifeDirect´s CEO, Dr Paula Kahumbu. awareness, knowledge, and understanding of critical environmental and animal situations. Thank you Perfect World Foundation! Paula Kahumbu in South Africa for the Wildlife In Dr Paula Kahumbu was in South Africa the second annual Crisis attending Conservation Lab. She was one of the thought leaders and industry Meeting sixinfluencers to address the conference on Dr Kahumbu with Adam Welz of WildAid M W nature conservation projects around the world. Highlights WildlifeDirect is proud to announce a new partnership with The Perfect World Foundation. P F L WildlifeDirect and our youth partners Stand Up Shout Out had a meeting with our patron the First Lady Her Excellency Margaret Kenyatta, at her office in State House Nairobi. Among issues discussed included the upcoming launch of a community project with the women of Imbirikani (more on this in the next issue). The First Lady reiterated her support to the campaign. he first lady Margaret Kenyatta (middle) posers with WildlifeDirect staff and SUSO team members. W D P I S T S crucial issues of conservation and sustainable development. According to the organisers, the Conservation Lab isn't about deciding on a right or wrong answer to the conservation question; it's about open, intelligent idea sharing. It's about raising awareness and providing a comprehensive overview of the issues and potential solutions. On South Africa's proposal to be allowed to sell its stockpile of rhino horn legally, Dr Kahumbu strongly argued that it would put the entire continent's rhino population at risk. She appealed to South Africa to think about their responsibility and what their stand might do to damage South Africa's reputation.Ok to the media urging the president to order for the After two huge probe of the circumstances ivory seizures surrounding the transiting were made in of the ivory containers through the port of Thailand and Mombasa. The statement Singapore within a month, was run in almost all the WildlifeDirect local dailies and on international outlets as sent a well). statement D I S pollinators, boost crop yields, and benefit WildlifeDirect would like people and livelihoods in East Africa. Dr. Martins, to congratulate Dr Dino who is a Harvard PhD Martins for winning the 2015 Whitley Gold Award. and an entomologist, works at both the local The £50,000 award was and government level given to Dr Martins in and his efforts have led recognition of his work with local communities to to the development of Kenya's first legislation raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, to specifically protect bees from harmful and to encourage the pesticides. adoption of more Congratulations Dr Martins! sustainable farming practices that conserve We are proud of your achievements! GET INVOLVED I" started off Volunteering at WildlifeDirect and now I am an intern. It has been great, I have learnt a lot of things that are helpful in my career and my life in general. The one thing that has stuck with me is that , We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once. I will never forget that!- Vincent Ontita You too can help save Africa's endangered magnificent species by joining the Hands Off Our Elephants campaign. To be registered as a volunteer with us, please send an email with your CV and a Letter of interest to [email protected] To Donate, please go to wildlifedirect.org, or to our MPESA Paybill Number 917856, Account Number 0 Join the Herd! For latest updates on our work, outreach programs, click on the button here, follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Dr Dino Martins receives his Whitley Gold Award from HRH Princess Royal
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