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WildlifeDirect Launches Snakebite Awareness Essay Competition for Kenyan Primary Schools

Thursday 19 September 2019: To mark this year’s International Snakebite Awareness Day that is celebrated on 19th September, WildlifeDirect is delighted to launch its first Essay Competition targeting primary schools in Kenya.

“Public education about the importance of snakes, how to avoid snakebites, and what to do in the event of a venomous snakebite are key ways that schools, chiefs, and media can help reduce deaths and injuries in Kenya.” – Dr. Paula Kahumbu, WildlifeDirect CEO’s, statement ahead of International Snakebite Awareness Day.

Snakes play a key role in the ecosystem by acting as natural pest controllers reducing the population of rodents. Many people are not aware that most snake species are nonvenomous, and those that have venom use it primarily to subdue or kill prey rather than for self-defense. According to the film ‘Minutes To Die’, 125,000 people die from snakebites every year and 20,000 of those deaths are in Africa with 1,000 deaths in Kenya.

The Snakebite Awareness Essay competition is a call to all primary school students in Kenya to submit their ideas and thoughts on the topic ‘Why Snakes Matter.”

The Essay competition is looking for submissions that will create awareness on the importance of snakes and the need for effective treatment of snakebites.

This competition will give children a platform to express their views about snakes and what we can do to protect the species and prevent snakebites. The winner will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Watamu courtesy of Turtle Bay Beach Resort. There will also be exciting gift hampers which will include Wildlife Warriors t-shirts, reusable water bottles, mugs, and stickers.

The competition is open only to children from Kenyan Primary Schools and the deadline for submitting essays is 30th September 2019. Each entry must include the child’s name, age, and school.

To participate in the competition, submit your essay to WildlifeDirect Kenya Office, P.O. Box 24467 Karen 00502, Nairobi, Kenya, or email to info@wildlifedirect.org.

ENDS/

For more information, please contact:

Trish Sewe – WildlifeDirect

+254 (0) 705 515 709

Victoria Wangui – WildlifeDirect

+254 (0) 715 845 128