Press Releases
WildlifeDirect opposes the lifting of Hunting Ban in Botswana
WildlifeDirect does not support the reversal of the Hunting ban in Botswana though we recognize that it is their so sovereign right to manage elephants domestically.
Thousands of Kenyans March for Wildlife
Thousands of people from all walks of life today joined conservation partners and the government to raise their voices against extinction and champion the protection of wildlife in what is considered to be the biggest Global March For Elephants, Rhinos, Lions and other endangered species. Global March is an annual worldwide event that takes place in more than 130 countries - including Kenya - which hosted the largest march in the world in 2017.
Wildlife Warriors, New TV Series, Celebrates African Conservation Heroes
A new weekly series called Wildlife Warriors will premiere on East Africa’s largest channel, Citizen TV, on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 5PM. Development of this series was funded by the U.S. Government, through USAID, in partnership with U.S. Department of the Interior, Wild Lives Foundation, and National Geographic.
Tanzania court sentence ‘Ivory Queen’ to 15 years in jail
A Tanzanian court has sentenced Yang Fen Glan popularly known as ‘Ivory Queen’ to 15 years in jail. The 69 year old Chinese national, was charged along with two Tanzanians with offenses of unlawful dealing in collecting, selling and transporting more than 706 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 1889 kilograms in 2014.
WildlifeDirect announces the release of a new report showcasing the state of wildlife crime cases in Kenya
WildlifeDirect announces the release of a new report showcasing the state of wildlife crime cases in Kenya. WildlifeDirect has been monitoring wildlife crime cases in Kenyan courts since 2008. Through Eyes in the Courtroom project; we provide the only nation-wide publicly available review of Kenya’s wildlife law enforcement response.
Court sets free convicted ivory trafficker Feisal Mohamed Ali
Today the Kenyan Criminal Justice system failed. Feisal Mohamed Ali who was convicted of trafficking in illegal elephant tusks today walks free. In July 2016, Feisal was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and fined of 20 million shillings for trafficking in 2,152 kilograms of elephant ivory. Feisal’s case began in December 2014 after he apprehended in Tanzania through an INTERPOL led swoop. At this time Feisal was the most wanted ivory trafficker in the world with Interpol giving a red notice against him.
Kenyan raptor biologist awarded at Whitley Awards 2018
WildlifeDirect wishes to congratulate Munir Virani, the Vice President at The Peregrine Fund who was on April 25 awarded the prestigious Whitley Award by HRH The Princess Royal. Munir is a Kenyan raptor biologist devoted to conserving one of the most threatened groups of birds on the planet. He works to preserve Kenya’s endangered vultures in Africa’s Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. He first began his project in 2003 following the Asian Vulture Crisis which saw 40 million vultures poisoned across South Asia, as a result of a now banned painkiller and anti-inflammatory drug used in cattle.
Statement on the murder of Esmond Bradley Martin
It is with deep shock and horror that WildlifeDirect has learnt about the murder of Esmond Bradley Martin on Sunday, 4 February 2018 around 4PM at his house in Langata, Nairobi. We had interacted closely with Esmond on matters to do with ivory trafficking and he always kept us updated on his ivory trade research around the world.
Princeton in Africa honor Dr. Paula Kahumbu
WildlifeDirect is pleased to announce that its CEO Dr. Paula Kahumbu was this week presented with Princeton in Africa Founders’ Medal at the Princeton in Africa Gala in New York City. Every year since 2011, Princeton in Africa has presented the Princeton in Africa Medal to outstanding individuals who share a commitment to the advancement of Africa.
WildlifeDirect calls on Tanzania to expedite investigations on the brutal murder of Wayne Lotter
We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic news of Wayne Lotter’s murder on Wednesday evening. We offer our condolences to his family and friends. Wayne Lotter’s work was vital because of the rate of elephant poaching in Tanzania, which has decimated populations by over 75% in just 5 years.
WildlifeDirect partners with Amarula Trust to raise global awareness about elephant poaching
WildlifeDirect is very proud to work with Amarula Trust to create global awareness of the plight of Africa’s elephants. While many brands use elephants in their logos, Amarula is the only African brand that has positioned itself to champion elephant conservation.
WildlifeDirect calls for rule of law as bloodbath escalates in Laikipia County
WildlifeDirect has called for the national security apparatus to accelerate efforts to achieve rule of law in Laikipia County where many lives have been lost, people injured and millions of dollars lost due to property damage. The targeting of foreign born owners and managers of conservancies have hit both local and international headlines, but even more disturbing are the numbers of unreported killings of Kenyan small scale farmers and herders. In addition there has been a slaughter of endangered wildlife including grevy's zebras, elephants, lions and giraffes.