Efforts to conserve Kenya’s dwindling
population of rhinos has been significantly boosted by WWF Kenya which
handed over 1000 microchips and five scanners to the Kenya Wildlife
Service (KWS) today.
The
equipment valued at over Sh1.3 million will be instrumental in
strengthening active rhino monitoring as well as stockpile audits (of
rhino horn).
The
function was attended by WWF Kenya Country Director Mohammed Awer and
KWS Director William Kiprono as wll as senior WWF Kenya and KWS
officials.
With poachers getting more
sophisticated in their approach it is vital that conservation efforts
embrace the use of more sophisticated technology to counter the killing
of wildlife.
Kenya Wildlife Service Director (KWS) Mr William Kiprono (left) receives
a scanner and microchip from the WWF Country Director, Mohamed Awer.
WWF handed over 1000 microchips and five scanners to KWS valued at over
Sh1.3 million which will be used to strengthen active rhino monitoring
as well as stockpile audits (of rhino horn) in the country.
The deployment of
specialised rhino horn tracking systems combined with forensic DNA
technology will allow for 100 per cent traceability of every rhino horn
and live animal within Kenya. This will serve to strengthen rhino
monitoring, protect the animals on site and also support
anti-trafficking mechanisms nationally and regionally.
Furthermore,
investigators will be able to link any poached case to a recovered or
confiscated horn and this forms crucial evidence in court contributing
towards the prosecution’s ability to push for sentencing of a suspected
rhino criminal. These technologies are now being used internationally in
support of criminal justice responses to wildlife crime as well as
strengthening inter-agency collaborations (between customs, police,
justice, wildlife agencies and defense).
This new technology will
ensure that every marked rhino in the country is traceable. In addition,
every rhino horn will be tracked globally and matched to the rhino from
which it was taken. In this way, investigators will be able to link any
poached case to a recovered or confiscated horn. This forms crucial
evidence in court contributing towards prosecution’s ability to push for
sentencing of a suspected rhino criminal. The technology will also
expose and provide new insight into the rhino horn trade chain.
These technologies are now
being used and supported by WWF continentally in support of criminal
justice responses to wildlife crime, strengthening inter-agency
collaborations (customs, police, justice, wildlife agencies, defense,
and others) to ensure that wildlife crime is treated not just as a
serious crime but the networks that promote and sustain the
International Wildlife Trade (IWT) are dismantled.
Over
the years, KWS and WWF have continued working together to ensure that
Kenya meets the CITES CoP16 rhino decisions that seeks to ensure that
rhinos remain viable and able to survive current and future threats.
Success
in this effort would not only secure rhino populations in Kenya but
also deliver improved governance and institutional strengthening in
government, improved ability of government to combat other transnational
organized crimes, and increased national and regional stability, all of
which creates a more conducive environment for sustainable economic
development.
WWF Kenya
continues to be an active partner and this year through WWF UK, ARP and
other public private partnership will support KWS rhino conservation
programme with over Sh32m over the next three years and another
additional 2,000 Euros matching fund to conserve the current population
of black rhino and ensure the population attains a target growth rate of
five percent per annum. Specific areas of support include day-to-day
conservation and management work, training and capacity building to
equip KWS with modern technology through DNA profiling and forensic
investigations.
At a
continental and worldwide level, these technologies will expose the
rhino horn trade chain and facilitate the dismantling of the networks
that promote and sustain the International Wildlife Trade (IWT).
Two time African Footballer of the year Yaya Toure will be donning a new
feather in his hat. The Manchester City midfielder has been unveiled as
the United Nations Environmental Programme's Good Will Ambassador at
the headquarters in Nairobi.