In the News
Standing up to towering emerging challenges despite our wins
As the first quarter of 2018 comes to a close we reflect on the highs and the lows for conservation. Poaching is down and our court monitoring work reveals greater number of convictions and jail sentencing. Our TV series NTV Wild Talk is still going strong and millions of Kenyans watch it weekly.
Raising funds to support victims of human wildlife conflict
Today is International Women’s Day. We can’t keep complaining about how men treat us when we don’t treat each other fairly, with compassion and empathy. Let’s do something to make it mean something. I’ve been working on Human Elephant Conflict for several years now. in my research I have spoken to irate farmers, and I understand a lot about what they are experiencing.
The Great Grevy’s Zebra Rally
Somewhere in Northern Kenya lies a gem. A stunningly beautiful but endangered zebra that many Kenyans have never heard about, let alone seen. This is the story of the Grevy’s zebra. A rare Kenyan heritage that needs to be protected before it goes extinct. Grevy’s zebras are the largest of the three zebra species. The other two are plains zebra and mountain zebra. Grevy’s zebra are taller, have narrow stripes, white belly, round ears and brown muzzle, which easily distinguishes them from the common plains zebra that are usually smaller in size and have larger stripes and a black muzzle.
Happy New Year from WildlifeDirect
We begin the year 2018 on a good note for elephants as China’s domestic ivory trade comes to a close. China is considered to be the largest consumer of ivory and with the closure of its legal ivory trade, it is our hope that this will reduce the slaughter of African elephants that are currently on the verge of extinction. We at WildlifeDirect want to take this opportunity to wish you Happy New Year and thank you for your incredible support throughout 2017.
Marchers across the world demand justice for wildlife
Today, 7 October 2017, thousands of people are gathering in more than 100 cities all over the world to show solidarity with wildlife in the Global March for Elephants, Rhinos and Lions. This year’s theme ‘Justice for All’ draws attention to the dire threat to these species as a result of international wildlife crime. In my home city Nairobi, the planning for this march has involved tens of organizations, including NGOs, local and national government agencies, universities, schools, companies, diplomatic embassies and local communities.
Burn horns, save rhinos
September 22, 2017 | Paula Kahumbu and Andrew Halliday Today, September 22, is World Rhino Day. Rhinos were once widespread across Asia and Africa and even in Europe, where they are depicted on cave paintings. Today their situation is precarious. The world population of the northern white rhino now consists of 5 individuals. Sudan, the last surviving male, is now beyond breeding age. He and two female companions are living out their lonely final years under the care of Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya.
Don’t Let Our Elephants Disappear
August 9, 2017 | Paula Kahumbu World Elephant Day on August 12th is a both a day for global celebration of elephants and a reminder that their conservation requires a global effort. Kenya has a key role to play in ensuring the survival of these magnificent animals and World Elephant Day is also an opportunity to take stock. How have our elephants fared over the past 12 months? What are their prospects over the next year—and beyond?
Changing the Course of History for Kenya’s Wildlife
June 19, 2017 | Paula Kahumbu On May 31st we all cheered at the inauguration of the first phase of the SGR from Mombasa to Nairobi. Now Kenyans can travel between the two largest cities quickly and cheaply. Accelerated movement of cargo and people will mean more trade, more income generation, and therefore, more jobs, and that’s good for our youthful nation.