www.eawildlife.org WORD FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - MICHAEL GACHANJA SWARA 2013 -1 elcome to the first issue conflicts. Because of increased OUT SOON! of the 2013 Quarterly levels of poaching of rhino and Newsletter. This issue elephants horns, we anticipate to be W involved in discussions and walks highlights some of the activities undertaken by East African Wild that will address this particular Life Society (EAWLS) with a special issue. Such a walk is being focus on the activities that promote organised by Elephants Neighbours the engagement of the youth – as Centre. This is highlighted in this future leaders – in conservation. We issue. are learning from our projects that compared to the past, natural resource 2013 is an election year in Kenya. conservation is not drawing a lot of This newsletter has highlighted interest among the youth. Yet, if these some of the work we did with resources were to be conserved for the the established County Natural future, this is the critical mass that we Resources Forums/Networks in need to engage. Nakuru, Samburu, Laikipia and Kwale Counties. These forums The current issue highlights the will constructively engage those Mazingira Quiz Challenge, the aspiring for political positions Satima Wildlife Clubs Award and within the devolved governments the Tusalimie Simba Conservation as part of the efforts being made walk as examples. The Mazingira by the project to influence political Quiz involves essay writing and leaders early into committing UPCOMING EVENTS exhibitions that showcase the best themselves to support sustainable MUTHAIGA COuntry CLUB environmental technologies across management of natural resources 17th April 2013 by Karl Ammann, in the four counties. Plans are colleges and universities. For colleges Topic: The Hanoi Connection film, and universities, the Satima Wildlife underway to hold forums with highlights issues in the expanding rhino Clubs Award targets the youth in essay them in February 2013 to advocate horn trade. In particular it looks at the competition and public speaking, while for inclusion into the campaign Vietnamese influence on the demand for in lower academic levels (primary manifestos and prioritization rhino horn, its impact on price escalation and secondary schools), competition of agenda articulating issues of and the consequences for Africa. is held on essays, photography and concern raised by Civil Society arts. The conservation walk is a new Organizations (CSOs) and KAREN COuntry CLUB initiative by EAWLS of publicising networks. In the next issue of the 8th May 2013 by Juliet King current conservation issues of concern. newsletter, we will be providing you Topic: Hirola Last year, it was on human-wildlife with updates. EAWLS NEWSLETTER JANUARY - MARCH 2013 1 Showdown ends in style at the Mazingira Quiz Challenge 2012 By Ben Arudo, University of Nairobi uiz competitions are always Ololua Forest on 17th November 2012 full of tension and excitement where 2,000 seedlings were planted Qas teams’ battle with each and adopted to allow the students to other’s wits to find out who is the best give back to mother nature. of them all; especially when trophies, cash prizes and an opportunity to Mazingira Quiz Challenge is an adopt trees are up for grabs. That was initiative by the Kenya Forests the scenario on the 16th November Working Group (KFWG) that targets 2012 in the Louis Leaky Auditorium institutions of higher learning both at the National Museums of Kenya colleges and universities in Kenya. LEFT: KenyattaUniversity takes the mazingira cup 2012. (NMK). Sixteen Universities battled The challenge tests the knowledge TOP RIGHT: Bellice Rabach of Kenya pipeline it out the during the Mazingira Quiz of students on issues of forestry, company planting a tree at Olulua forest. Challenge 2012. wetlands, wildlife and climate change MIDDLE RIGHT: David Kuria demonstrates to the winning university (KU) on proper tree while at the same time providing planting. The 2011 winners, University of a platform to learn about current BELOW RIGHT: Ololua Community Forest Nairobi, were unfortunate to be environmental global issues. Association members join in tree planting. edged out early in the competition by United States International University Categories that make up the challenge to the respective theme through (U.S.I.U); Masinde Muliro University include; photography, drawings or music. and Kenyatta University fought it out • The quiz challenge: students answer • Essay and Poetry in the final round which was too close questions on issues of wetlands, to call the winner outright. During the forests, wildlife and climate change. evening award ceremony jubilation Another category included in the The Kenya Forests Working filled the air when Kenyatta University different round of questions is Group (KFWG) gives special thanks to Kenya Pipeline (KU) was announced the winners of general knowledge. Company Limited (KPC), Tecno the 2012 Mazingira Quiz Challenge. • Mazingira innovation: this involves mobile, Kenya Commercial With this year’s theme being “Green exhibitions that showcase the Bank Foundation, Kenya Forest Economy”, Maseno University clinched best environmental technological Service, Safaricom Foundation, the award for the Best Innovative solutions as a way of promoting United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Idea category whilst Masinde Muliro innovations across universities and organizing committee and the University took the award for the Best colleges. communities at Ololua Forest for Essay. The winners crowned the event • Mazingira Art: awarded to artists their invaluable support. with a tree planting ceremony at the who can showcase art in relation 2 EAWLS NEWSLETTER JANUARY - MARCH 2013 past, many wildlife species have often ventured into human settlements TUSALIMIE SIMBA causing significant damage to property and life. In turn, revenge from irate CONSERVATION WALK humans is often fatal hence giving a blow to wildlife populations and By Ben Arudo, University of Nairobi ecosystem balance that may take decades to re-establish. This calls for solutions to be sought in order to conserve our national pride. THE walk! The residents of Tuala town who were uneasy about the idea during the pre-visits carried out in the month of July 2012 in preparation for this walk welcomed and joined the parade clad in green with hopes that this event marks the beginning of collaboration where human-wildlife conflict solutions can be sought. Mr. Cheruiyot, a Senior Warden- Kenya Wildlife Service stressed the importance of safeguarding the Nairobi National Park and its resources for the sake of our environment and our economy while encouraging the youth to keep engaging in such environmental initiatives to enhance their understanding on the issues at hand as future leaders. He also lauded the Kenya Wildlife Conservation Forum (KWCF) for its efforts to initiate this cause with an important purpose and message to Kenyans. “ !” Twende tukamsalimie simba East African Wild Life Society a Swahili phrase meaning let’s go TOP: The Chief Guest Mr. Ali Kaka-Regional (EAWLS) and KWCF intends to and greet the Lion inspired the Director Eastern and Southern Africa IUCN flags-off the walk assisted by Ms. Anne Kahihia hold such walks annually, seeking to solidarity of over 500 people including - Assistant Director Kenya Wildlife Service address the increasing cases of human- students from various institutions, (KWS). wildlife conflict in the country as well representatives of government and BELOW LEFT: Students from Olosirikon Primary School on the forefront holding up a as provide an independent and rational Non-Governmental organizations, banner, setting the pace for the crowd in tow. platform for constructive dialogue the private sector including BELOW RIGHT: Participants descending the with regard to wildlife conservation. communication and hospitality Mbagathi River Escarpment; the final stretch towards the end of the walk. providers, residents living near the Special thanks go to Safaricom, St Nairobi National Park in Olosirikon John’s Ambulance, Hilton Hotel, area, the media, and individuals African Nazarene University, the all gathered at the Africa Nazarene Local Administration- Ongata Rongai, University car park in Rongai on 29th Kenya Wildlife Service, distinguished September 2012, where they began living near wildlife inhabited areas on guests, the organizing committee the 15km walk on marked sections the importance of wildlife and how for their invaluable support and all of the Athi-Kapiti Corridor, Kitengela to live in harmony with wild animals. the participants who persevered the dubbed “Tusalimie Simba” conservation The walk came at a time when cases scorching sun while enjoying the walk. of human wildlife conflict in the areas gentle slopes and the scenic view right surrounding the Athi-Kapiti Corridor, in the heart of Nairobi City. The purpose of the walk was to Kitengela were on the rise with signs sensitize people, particularly those of decline apparently distant. In the EAWLS NEWSLETTER JANUARY - MARCH 2013 3 AN Unforgettable SAFARI EXPERIENCE By Washington Wachira, Kenyatta University he winners of the Satima wildlife clubs competition T2012 thought that it was barely a win. However, they were yet to be amazed by what was awaiting them in the awards basket. The array of awards courtesy of the East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS) and the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK) was what graced the awarding ceremony held on 10th December 2012. Preceded by warm speeches and encouraging words from the various guests of the day, the awards reminded the winners the beauty of hard work. Little did they know that the promised safari was going to overshadow all that they had already seen. It all started when we boarded “Komba”; the famous Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK) bus. TOP: The winners at the gate to the Lake Nakuru National Park. Joseph, the wheel-watcher of the BELOW: Flamingoes at Lake Oloidien in Naivasha. week, did not miss a single step in ensuring a smooth ride for all. probably the sweetest some of us had What we saw for the five days was experienced in our entire lives.