Experience a Wheelbarrow race Event on July 2014 in Kenya safaris

This year’s Wheelbarrow race will take place from Friday 25th at 1400 hrs to Sunday 27th July, 2014 at the magnificent Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha. The event which started as a simple and unique idea by KWS and Hell’s Gate National Park action committee in 2009 has now grown into the World Wildest Race!  http://www.kws.org/info/news/2014/26hellsgateevent2014.html

 

Effort to revamp Kenya Wildlife Service

Statement by Dr. Richard lesiyampe, Principal Secretary, State Department for Environment and Natural Resources on efforts to revamp Kenya Wildlife Service.

 http://www.kws.org/info/news/2014/16apr2014PSstatement.htm

 

Sharon C

www.soinafricasafaris.com

 

Security Stepped up ahead of the Easter Holidays

New report from Kenya Tourism Federation,''The government announced enhanced security measures across the country, in effect since January 31st 2014. Among these is enhanced security surveillance at the country's entry & exit points''
In the period since, the Kenya Police last month intercepted illegal explosive materials in Mombasa, in an operation in which Police intelligence prevailed and a big threat thwarted. Across the country, installations such as listed below, key to the tourism sector, are targeted and security stepped up:
Security screening at the country's entry & exit points:
At the 2 main airports - Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Moi International Airport Mombasa - enhanced security checks, complemented with new security screening equipment for the Kenya Police at JKIA, with several other planned security measures such as more security screening equipment & a GSU post at the JKA entry; and security checks stepped up at MIAM, which also recently acquired specialized explosives screening equipment, received from the British High Commission. This is besides security surveillance maintained at all country entry points.
Likoni Channel: Police surveillance at the Likoni channel
A Police station has been established at the Likoni Ferry Crossing Channel providing 24 hour security surveillance to both sides of the crossing. It was announced by Kenya Ferry Services MD Musa Hassan that CCTV cameras have been installed at both sides of the channel, whilst plans underway to acquire scanning equipment to further refine the screening process.
 Beaches
Through the Tourist Police Unit, Police surveillance has been stepped up at the beaches to deter would be errant activities and ensure an atmosphere for the enjoyment of tourists.
2 cruise ships have docked at the port of Mombasa this year - MS Hamburg with 362 tourists, barely a month after MS Nautica which brought about 600 visitors. This rise in cruise traffic is a testimony to the improved security on the waters off the Coast of Kenya and East Africa at large, owing to joint naval security patrols that have greatly improved security on these waters.
Police Patrols
Owing to the enhanced security measures, Police patrols have been intensified, with Tourism benefitting from increased patrols by Tourist Police Unit at establishments such as Hotels, whilst the standard Police escorts recommended for visitors in transit to remote areas where security escort is deemed a necessary precaution, is still advised.
Before you go:
Obtain contacts of your national diplomatic mission in the country you are visiting, and notify them on arrival about your trip. This will help them to organize due assistance to you in case the need arises, as well as be able to account for you.
Know about the place you are visiting - the weather; emergency contacts e.g. Police, Hospitals; health & any preventative medication advised,access.
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A milestone as Kenya Government launch Audio Wildlife Lessons at Nairobi Safari Walk!!

Nairobi Safari Walk, a popular destination for many local and international tourists, is now offering audio wildlife lessons to visitors at designated animal areas following an installation of a public address system in the facility.

The system handles audio requirements for six observation points and allows override warning announcement in-case of emergencies.

The six observation points include the Hippo point, Crocodile point, Cheetah point, Leopard point, lion point and rhino point.

The facility aims to leverage the system to disseminate information for conservation education purposes to its estimated 140,000 visitors annually.

The system will also be used to alert visitors on various issues such as timings for visitors to clear out the facility in the evening and to alert people on any danger or emergency.

The five alert points include the Forest walk way, Rhino point, hyena point, Outside the Leopard area, Lion area and Cheetah point.

Nairobi Safari Walk was opened to the public in year 2000 and depicts three major habitats namely wetland, savannah and forest ecosystems. It is a conservation based recreation facility with a combination of creative landscapes and different wildlife species.

www.soinafricasafaris.com

Sharon C

Safety updates on Kenya safaris.

Read more on safety updates on Kenya safaris.
http://www.ktf.co.ke/section.asp?ID=114

www.soinafricasafaris.com
Sharon C

Civil servant with state security behind rhino, elephant slaughter

A top official enjoying State security with all the trappings of power could be behind rampant poaching in the country, it has emerged.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000107954&story_title=civil-servant-with-state-security-behind-rhino-elephant-slaughter

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Nairobi animal orphanage set for massive expansion and modernization

The Nairobi Animal Orphanage (NAO) is set to more than double its size in the coming months thanks to an elaborate expansion project initiated by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) management two years ago. http://www.kws.org/info/news/2014/20orphanage2014.html

The popular facility, located just after the entrance to Nairobi National Park will increase its current acreage of 2.36Ha (5.8 acres) by an additional 4.70Ha (11.6 acres). Already suitable land have been identified, approved and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted in consultation with stakeholders.

 BACKGROUND OF NAO

In fulfilling its mandate, KWS endeavors to conserve wild animals in their natural habitats. This is a challenging task and in some situations it becomes imperative that some animals be conserved ex-situ in captivity.

Such animals include orphaned or abandoned young ones which cannot survive on their own in the wild, severely injured or sick animals whose survival in the wild is compromised after recovery as well as animals held in breach of the law.

It is for this reason that the Nairobi Animal Orphanage (NAO) was established in 1963 with the primary objective of providing refuge and nurturing such animals.

A release strategy exists for species that can be rehabilitated back to the wild. However, for species that cannot be released back to the wild for diverse reasons such as homing instincts, inability to fend for themselves and familiarity with humans which would make them gravitate towards human settlements, the facility becomes a permanent home for these individuals for purposes of nurturing them.

Besides serving as home to animals in challenging situations, the presence of these animals at the NAO leads to other critical uses. These include educating the public about wildlife and their natural habitats, promotion of tourism, research geared towards enhancing animal welfare as well as providing information that can be used to conserve sites, populations and raising funds to conserve wild living populations.

By virtue of its location and the close interaction between animals and visitors, the facility has over the years become a popular attraction for both local and international visitors.

This is an excellent facility offering both local and foreign visitors a rare opportunity to “interact” with wild animals in the city of Nairobi where the facility is located within Nairobi National Park. Having been established more than fifty years ago, NAO no doubts requires a modern face. In cognizant of this, KWS management and the Board of Trustees in 2012 initiated a move to expand the facility and address some of its shortcomings.

For example some animal enclosures do not provide them with sufficient space, proper fortification and generally an environment that mimics the wild habitat. Wild animals in captivity would require these basic rights as much as possible for stimulation and expression of their most natural behaviors.

Subsequently, some animals have been known to develop abnormal behaviours such as pacing and rocking due to inadequacies of these basic needs. We are working on the layout of the enclosures to modify them to avoid a situation that brings stress to the various species. A case in point is where some predator species such as the big cats are housed next to or in the vision of hoofed stock and primates. This has the potential to cause severe fear and distress to both groups.

NAO has in the recent past been receiving increased number of animals to be nurtured in captivity, thus the need to increase the acreage to accommodate the rising numbers. Currently we are addressing the challenge of overcrowding which has resulted in several animals being kept together in small sized enclosures. This has the potential to cause stress in animals especially the less dominant ones through fear and distress.

Additionally, overcrowding causes conflicts and aggression among the animals. The issue of space is critical and urgent measures have been put in place to construct properly planned enclosures with appropriate and attractive layout to avoid congestion. The increased visitation over the years without corresponding increment in space has resulted to human congestion which can be stressful to the animals.

The overall objective of the expansion and modernization project is to enhance captive animal welfare and promote conservation education and awareness. The specific objectives are to:

• Redesign the existing enclosures to internationally recommended standards to address spatial requirements
• Build additional and up to standard enclosures to address overcrowding
• Enrich animal enclosures to mimic the animal(s) natural habitat(s)
• Zone the facility based on species to address inappropriate layout
•  Build a modern nursery and well equipped clinic to promote veterinary care
• Provide appropriate facilities to promote conservation education and awareness
• Expand the acreage of the existing facility to address congestion (enclosures and human)

The expected benefits will include enhanced animal welfare, increased conservation education and awareness as well as visitor satisfaction.

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