Press Releases
WildlifeDirect CEO, Dr. Paula Kahumbu Named Rolex National Geographic Explorer Of The Year
WildlifeDirect is excited to announce that Dr. Paula Kahumbu has been recognized as the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year for 2021. This prestigious award recognizes the cutting edge work that Dr. Kahumbu has been pioneering for more than a decade at WildlifeDirect. The award was announced today at the National Geographic Explorers Festival, an invite-only event hosted by the National Geographic Society, held on June 15th – 17th, 2021.
WildlifeDirect Launches Wildlife Warriors Kids Restoring Nature Challenge
WildlifeDirect is marking this year’s World Environment Day by launching the Wildlife Warriors Kids Restoring Nature Challenge in partnership with Mpala Research Centre. The Challenge is targeting public and community primary schools in Kenya.
WildlifeDirect CEO Dr. Paula Kahumbu wins prestigious Whitley Gold Award
WildlifeDirect is thrilled to announce that Dr. Paula Kahumbu is the winner of the prestigious Whitley Gold Award for 2021. The Whitely Gold Award comes with £100,000 in project funding and will be used to establish an environmental justice desk to address conservation matters such as human-wildlife conflict, securing wild spaces for wildlife and empowering citizens to advocate for environmental matters in Kenya.
NEMA Revokes the Environmental Impact Assessment license for KiliAvo Farm
The National Environment and Management Authority (NEMA) has today revoked the Environmental Impact Assessment license for KiliAvo Farm Fresh Ltd following yesterday’s ruling by the National Environment Tribunal (NET) to throw out the petition to halt NEMA from stopping the farm.
Avocado Farm loses its bid to farm in an Elephant Corridor
WildlifeDirect welcomes the ruling of the National Environment Tribunal today dismissing efforts by Kenyan agricultural company KiliAvo Fresh Ltd to overturn the National Environment and Management Authority’s stop order following a huge outcry from the public and complaints from the Amboseli Land Owners and Conservation Association, and conservation bodies including WildlifeDirect, Big Life Foundation, and The Conservation Alliance of Kenya (CAK).
Two dolphins and turtle found dead in Tana River County
Trawling activities along the shores of the Indian Ocean in the Kipini area of Tana Delta in Tana River County has resulted in the death of two dolphins and a turtle.
Italian Trawler Vessel Fishing Endangered Species Seized In Kenyan Waters
An Italian trawler vessel, MV Roberto, was seized on April 11th, 2021 by the Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Fisheries Service in the Indian Ocean at Kipini, Tana River, Kenya.
Tribunal Halts Activities at Amboseli Avocado Farm
WildlifeDirect welcomes a ruling at the National Environmental Tribunal today that ordered all activity to stop at a new avocado farm sited in key wildlife and livestock habitat near Amboseli National Park.
WildlifeDirect launches a new comprehensive report on Kenya’s legal response to wildlife, forest and fisheries crimes
WildlifeDirect is pleased to release the fourth report on the outcomes of wildlife, forest, and fisheries crime cases in Kenya. This report presents data collected from 4,142 cases. We have been monitoring wildlife crime cases in Kenyan courts since 2013 as a response to the crisis of poaching of elephants and other endangered wildlife.
New Community Marine Protected Area Created in Lamu
On December 10, 2020, a unique and special community marine protected area was created in Kinyika, located 17 Kilometers from Lamu Town. Securing Kinyika will protect fish breeding areas thus assuring fisheries livelihoods, education and research opportunities, and the ecotourism potential.
Industrial Farming Threatens Elephants in Wildlife Corridor in Amboseli Ecosystem
Photographs have emerged of a massive land clearing in preparation for establishment of a commercial avocado farm right inside a recently gazetted and fenced wildlife corridor connecting Amboseli National Park and the Chyullu Hills/Tsavo ecosystem.
KWS arrests three people found in possession of a live pangolin
Three people have been arrested and charged with being in possession of a live pangolin. The three Kenyans, all male, were arrested by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers on 2nd September 2020 in Likoni area and charged on 3rd September 2020, at the Chief Magistrates Court in Mombasa.