Barcode of Wildlife Project DNA Barcoding and Endangered Species in Kenya Phase 1 Progress Report Beatrice Khayota and Patrick Omondi 5/1/2013 1. Introduction The DNA Barcoding and Endangered Species in Kenya is part of the Barcode of Wildlife Project, supported by the Google Impact Award. The project aims to demonstrate the value of DNA barcoding in the investigation and prosecution of wildlife crime. Kenya is one of six partner countries in the project. This project will test the cost-effectiveness, scalability, and real-world impact of a DNA-based technology on the enforcement of species protection laws and treaties. The project is designed as a proof-of-concept for ‘DNA barcoding’ as a system that could be used in developing countries by border inspectors, park rangers and other regulatory officials to detect illegal trafficking in protected species. The project will focus on species protected under the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and its enforcement in Kenya. Kenya is an important biodiversity hotspot that has been very active and engaged in barcoding activities. The project is comprised of three core components: 1) Construction of a public database of reference barcode records for endangered species and their close relatives, against which the barcode sequences of confiscated material can be compared. 2) Training for researchers, technicians, border inspectors, game wardens, prosecuting attorneys and judges in the participating countries. 3) Testing of barcodes as a real-world tool for enforcement through implementation of operational, cost-effective barcoding programs. 2. Barcode of Wildlife Roadmap 2.1 Planning Meeting A DNA Barcoding and Endangered Species in Kenya planning meeting was held on 18/02/ 13 at the Fairview Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the Project and discuss fully the strategies and modalities for the implementation of the Project. Participants were drawn from project partner institutions, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), National Museums of Kenya (NMK) and ICIPE. The Executive Secretary of the Consortium of Barcode of Life, and leader of the Project Dr. David Schindel also attended (Annex 1) Key resolutions from the meeting were: • Form a National Project Committee (NPC) with 11 members, five NMK, five KWS, one ICIPE. The committee should identify collaborative institutions that include: ICIPE, Lusaka taskforce, Directorate of Public Prosecutions, ILRI, NEMA, KRA, KEPHIS, Biotech Forensics • Logistics for next 6 months to be outlined. This should include a workplan and how to obtain approvals and develop agreements • A list of target/priority species to be developed • A needs assessment for required infrastructure to be undertaken • An outreach programme be put in place • Hire a project administrator • Develop a system for payments • Hold a workshop on enforcements • Get a student with journalistic/website development/electronic storytelling development background asigned to the project • A needs assessment on communication/improved bandwidth to be undertaken 2.2 Constitution of the National Project Committee 2.2.1 Members As a first step in the implementation of the project, a National Project Committee (NPC) was constituted with responsibilities in: • Prosecution • Investigation • Sample processing • Building a Reference Library • Project Coordination. The following NPC members were endorsed at a meeting held on 24/04/2013, at the Kenya Wildlife Club House, Nairobi (Annex 2). 1. Patrick Omondi KWS/Co-Chair 2. Dr. Beatrice Khayota NMK/Co-Chair 3. Solomon Kyalo KWS/CITES 4. Moses Yongo Otieno KWS/Forensic Lab 5. Didi Wamukoya KWS/Prosecution and Law Enforcement 6. Ibrahim Lubia KWS/Licensing 7. Dr. Charles Musyoki KWS/Species Science 8. Dr. Itambo Malombe NMK/Botany 9. Dr. Muchai Muchane NMK/Zoology 10. Dr. Hastings Ozwara IPR/NMK/Molecular Genetics 11. Bernard Agwanda NMK/Barcoding 12. Dr. Dan Masiga ICIPE/KenBOL/Barcoding It was further proposed that Kavaka Mukonyi from KWS, be considered for inclusion/co- option in the NPC, to address issues of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) and Bio-trade. Terms of Reference for the NPC were developed (Annex 3) 2.2 Recruitment of project personnel Terms of Reference for the Project Officer (PO) and IT/Communications Officer (Annex 4 and 5) were developed and endorsed by the NPC. These have since been circulated to potential applicants with a deadline of 17/05/13. The officer is expected to start on 1/6/2013. 2.2 Target and Priority Species A draft list of target and priority species has been generated by scientists from partner institutions (Annex 6). The criteria for selection were: • CITES listed • Frequent in illegal trade • Frequent in Bio-trade • Species of National importance. 2.3 Capacity Assessment Three NPC meetings are planned and budgeted for, to conclude on the following: • Prioritise species for library/enforcement • Identify taxonomic /lab resources • Assess training needs for library/academic labs • Assess lab capabilities for academic/forensics labs • Develop Project Implementation framework-ABS/MOU • Develop Strategy for in country processing vs export for academic labs/enforcement activities 2.4 Funds Transfer It was agreed by consensus that funds be channelled through NMK, using the current IPR/ NMK DUNS Number. Details of the account number will be communicated. 2.4.1 Budget A draft budget was prepared and submitted to CBOL for consideration on 9/5/13. Annex 1 Participants Registration List Planning Meeting for Google Global Impact Award for CITES & DNA Barcoding Fairview Hotel, 18 February 2013 NO. FIRST LAST TITLE/DESIGNATION INSTITUTION EMAIL ADDRESS 1 EMAIL ADDRESS 2 SKYPE ADDRESS OFC TEL # 1 OFC TEL # 2 1 Priscilla Mutungi Research Scientist KWS [email protected] +254 (20) 6000800 2 Elsie Wambui Laboratory Technician KWS [email protected] +254 (20) 6000800 3 Michael Njoroge Veterinary Doctor KWS [email protected] +254 (20) 6000800 4 Muchane Muchai How Zoology/Research NMK [email protected] muchane.muchai +254 0 722286133 379-2161-ext 2336 5 Peris Kamau Senior Researcher KWS [email protected] +254 0 722449312 6 Hastings Ozwara Research Scientist Institute of Primate Research [email protected] +254 0 72148326 0202606235/6 7 Beatrice Khayota Principal Research Scientist NMK [email protected] [email protected] +254 (20) 3742131 0733-780668 8 Patrick Omondi Senior Principal Research Scientist KWS [email protected] +254-722791718 +254 (20) 6000800 9 Ogeto Mwebi Research Scientist NMK [email protected] [email protected] +254 (20) 3742131 +254 0 720544636 10 Jacob Mueti Senior Curator & Research Scientist NMK [email protected] +254-720-144168 11 Solomon Kyalo Senior Research Scientist CITES KWS [email protected] [email protected] solomon.kyalo +254-722-722214 12 Dickens Odemy Research Scientist NMK [email protected] dodeny +254 (20) 3742131 +254 0 727758801 13 Bernard Agwanda Research Scientist NMK [email protected] +254 0 722280955 14 Daniel Masiga Research Scientist LCLPE [email protected] danmasiga 15 David Schindel Executive Secretary CBOL/Smithsonian [email protected] [email protected] davideschindel +1-202-633-0812 +1-202-557-1149 16 Didi Wamukoya H-Prosecution KWS [email protected] +254 0 733428620 17 Ibrahim Lubia Licensing KWS [email protected] +254 0 722773053 18 Kavaka Mukony Bioprospecting KWS [email protected] +254 0 722389819 Annex 2 RECORD OF MEETING OF THE NATIONAL PROJECT COMMITTEE OF GOOGLE PROJECT ON WILDLIFE DNA BARCODING FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES HELD AT KWS CLUB HOUSE, NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK ON 24 APRIL 2013 Present, Patrick Omondi Co-Chair, KWS Beatrice Khayota Co-Chair, NMK Solomon Kyalo Member, KWS Charles Musyoki Member, KWS Ibrahim Lubia Member, KWS Kavaka Mukonyi Member, KWS Daniel Masiga Member, ICIPE Hastings Ozwara Member, NMK Ogeto Mwebi Member, NMK Absent with apologies Bernard Agwanda Member, NMK Moses Yongo Member, KWS Didi Wamukoya Member, KWS Agenda 1. Introductions/briefs 2. Overview of the Fairview planning meeting 3. Project coordination 4. Constitution of the NPC and their terms of reference 5. Recruitment of project officer ,communication officer and their terms of reference 6. Projects Road map 7. Projects implementation framework (MOU/ABS agreement) 8. Funds Transfer Item Action Owner 1. Introductions/briefs Patrick Omondi (KWS), Co-Chair welcomed members to the meeting which Patrick Omondi was followed by self introductions. He also explained the purpose of the 9. A.O.B meeting noting the delay and urged members to fast track implementation of the project 2 Dr Khayota (NMK), Co-Chair gave an overview of the Google DNA barcode Dr Khayota Overview of the Fairview for endangered species project. She also briefed members on the action planning meeting points and progress of the planning meeting held at Fairview hotel in February 2013. She noted that the CITES CoP16 meeting in Bangkok slowed the pace of phase 1 and that regardless of the delay, NMK have had series of internal meetings on how to fast track the project. She noted the project covers six countries among them Kenya, where all have to draw from USD 3million common pool funding from Google Plus Award to Smithsonian Institute,USA. Therefore those who move fast will get a bigger share of the funds. Members registered need to demonstrate tangible results that are clear out puts with broad impacts. 3 Project coordination Members noted the need for a proper project coordination and Dr Khayota/Omondi implementation framework for efficient and timely delivery of agreed targets. The NPC members were informed that there has been informal consultation between KWS and NMK on project coordination frameworkon the need to do internal adverts for the project coordinator and outreach/IT staff. NPC members endorsed the position to do an internal advert in both institutions and it was agreed that both NMK/KWS through the Co-Chairs explore the possibilities of either Google DNA Barcode project being housed at either NMK or KWS that should include the housing of the project staff.