Animal Welfare Updates - February 2021

Fete to Honor Donkeys Held in Magadi

The final quarter of Brooke East Africa supported project geared towards building resilience and capacity of donkey owning communities and grass-root government officials for increased vigilance on donkey movement along the Kenya-Tanzania border to curtail illegal movement and rampant theft, began in earnest and will close by the end of March 2021.

The highlight of the month goes to a rare event, perhaps the first in the history of donkey keeping and protection – Maasai Donkey Celebration. The event held on 26th February 2021, was organized by one of the project’s established Donkey Forum Groups situated in one of Kenya-Tanzania border points, Shompole, Magadi in Kajiado County. Over 40 donkey owners came with their donkeys to the event painting the fete’s venue red as they all put on their checked red traditional regalia.

Interestingly, Maasai men who on many occasions have been accused of neglecting donkeys and concentrating on other domestic animals came in their numbers and pledged to be the front-line champions of donkey protection going forward. The area chief overwhelmed by the attendance and resolve by the enthusiastic community to protect their remaining donkeys, urged them to be hawk-eyed in surveilling their donkeys’ movement especially following yester-years’ wanton theft that had defrauded them of their donkeys during the active years of donkey slaughter in the country.

They reminded each other on the importance of restocking for continuous enjoyment of economic value attached to donkeys. Further, they urged each other to continue being vigilant and report any theft or suspicious movement of donkeys to the grass-root government law-enforcers for action.

ANAW-WTG Donkey Project Moves to Migori County

ANAW team visited Migori County in the month of February for the Welttierschutzgesellschaft e.V. (WTG) supported cross-border movement of donkeys along Kenya-Tanzania border project. From the introductory meetings with the Migori County Directors of Veterinary Services (CDVS) and Livestock Production as well as the County Chief Officers for Agriculture and Livestock & Fisheries, established that the donkey population within the county had fallen dismally with reported donkey thefts recorded in the past 3 years. The Officials added that the donkey was a vital economic asset used in charcoal transportation and ferrying of farm produce.

Ten Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted within key border villages to assess past and current trends of donkey movement along the Kenya Tanzania Border. Villages engaged included Kojea, Sango, Ikerege, Ogwethi, Taranganya, Sirare, Mukuro, Nyaberi West, Ntimaru and Kenancha. While the majority of the community members were seemingly aware of the donkey abattoirs‘ existence, they said that theft of donkeys was a common occurrence in 2017 and 2018 with two markets identified as the main loading point for transportation to donkey slaughtering abattoirs. Community members believed that most donkeys crossing the border during the aforementioned years were mostly stolen.

Four Local Information Networks (LINS) were established in Ogwethi, Nyabesi West, Sirare and Ikerege areas, each comprising of six members. Each LIN has an appointed leader whose duty is to oversee the gathering of intelligence data on donkey cross border movement as well as submit an update report every month.

Human Wildlife Conflict on the Rise in Kasighau Ranch

The ANAW supported wildlife guardians conducted 27 days and two nights patrols within the expansive community ranch in the month of February, to ensure the wildlife was protected.

The guardians noted increased incidences of human-wildlife conflict following invansion of Mghongonyi rangers/gurdians base camp by 12 elephants and also a marauding elephant’s attack at Mto Mwatate near Jerumani area resulting to death of a man of Somali descent.

The guardians sensitised the communities in the affected areas to always drum on sufurias and jerricans and lit fires to protect themselves from future elephant invasions.

Snared Zebra Starves to Death

Encountering over 20 zebras and one hippo carcasses at Manera Ranch in Kenya’s Nakuru County having died of starvation was heart wrenching, to say the least. More perturbing was sighting of a dead zebra that had been caught and restrained by a snare on its rear foot forcing it to starve to death, amid much struggle. The team could only imagine the intensity of pain the zebra had endured before dying; deprived of almost all its five freedoms; from pain and injury, hunger and thirst, discomfort, fear and distress.

Partnering with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and other stakeholders in the provision of emergency rescue services to injured and distressed animals, the ANAW rescue team in collaboration with the KWS Veterinary Unit responded to wildlife in distress at different ranches in Nakuru County, in the month of February. Of the eight ranches (Sanctuary farm, Manera Ranch, Katagrow Farm, Kedong Ranch, Crater Lake, Marula Ranch and Aquilla) visited in Nakuru County, Manera had the most animal welfare cases resulting to 21 deaths.

Eight zebras with neck snares, two buffaloes and two warthogs with lethal wire snares as well as a giraffe with a swelling on the hind limb were attended to and given another chance to live. Consequently, nine snares were lifted at Manera ranch - these could have killed unsuspecting wildlife, almost as many as twice that number.

The rescue team alarmed by the huge numbers of injured animals encountered, took time to sensitise the ranches’ management on the need for more vigilance within their respective ranches and capacity building of the guardians, where possible, to avert the suffering of the wildlife in future.

Animal Welfare Updates - May 2021

Maasai Women Celebrate Donkey Day

The sleepy, dry, and dusty village of Olmapinu, in Rombo – Kajiado County came to life on 17th of May 2021, as local women came in droves, accompanied by their donkeys, and gathered at Mama Lemaiyan’s donkeys’ watering point where this year’s National Donkey Day in Kajiado County was marked.

On the sidelines of the commemoration event, a mentorship exercise for 27 younger women by the older women on how to handle donkeys for maximum benefits was ongoing. Cynthia Lemaiyan, the Olmapinu Women Empowerment Forum representative reminded them that she was a product of donkey benefits. When her father died, her mother took them to school through the proceeds of donkeys hence encouraging all women to care for their donkeys to enjoy more benefits and improve their donkey-generated income.

On this National Donkey Day – a day observed to create awareness on the welfare of donkeys and to also appreciate the importance of the animal in Kenya and its value to the many communities who depend on it for their livelihoods, ANAW collaborated with the Kajiado County Veterinary Department, in a county-driven donkey clinic that saw 72 donkeys vaccinated against rabies disease. The donkeys were also dewormed, and wound management administered to those with wounds occasioned by poor harnessing.

Monkeys Treated and Released to the Wild

The month of May saw the Colobus Conservation Clinic attend to 14 welfare cases. Out of these, four were Sykes monkeys, five Angolan black-and-white Colobus, three Vervet monkeys, one bushbaby (Garnetii otolemur), and one yellow baboon.

Consequently, one vervet monkey was entered into long term rehabilitation, two Sykes monkeys and one yellow baboon were treated and released back to the wild.

Four Counties Practicing Battery Cage Poultry System Visited

ANAW team implementing the Open Wing Alliance (OWA) supported project on Action Towards Cage-free Poultry Farming in Kenya visited four (Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado) of the intended 15 counties, on a fact-finding mission to identify the current trends and drivers of caged poultry farming in the country.

The team was able to ascertain that, indeed, these battery cages curtailed a myriad of natural behaviors for the birds; including nesting, perching, dustbathing, scratching, foraging, running, jumping, flying, stretching, wing-flapping, and even walking. Furthermore, the severe confinement restricted physical movement leading to metabolic disorders, including cage osteoporosis and liver damage.

Interviews with different farmers within the four counties revealed adoption of battery cages as a means of poultry production in Kenya was increasingly gaining popularity among small-scale peri-urban and urban farmers. Further, some of the county veterinary officials spoken to, indicated that most battery cage suppliers and farmers were keen on profits and viewed animal welfare as a foreign concept.

Wildlife Suffering by Wire Snares Continue

In the month of May, ANAW rescue team in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Veterinary Unit responded to nine (9) zebras in distress at different ranches in Nakuru County. One of the zebras was at Pepper Corn Farm that had a wire snare around its left forelimb that had eaten through the skin causing a large wound leading to severe lameness on that limb. Another one at Game Ranch and had tumorous growths on its right ear, left flank along with an old snare wound on the neck. The one at Manera farm and had a wire snare around the neck which was still attached to a log that the zebra kept dragging around. Other ranches where rescue was done included; Marula and Aquila Farm. All the nine zebras were treated successfully and are expected to make a full recovery.

The ANAW Rescue team will continue to attend to these wildlife species in pain while at the same time encouraging the community members living close to these ranches and parks, to help conserve the animals for future generations by reporting suspected persons setting up snares or poaching for prosecution.

Kenyan Court Rules in Favour of Donkey Slaughter.

On the 4th of May 2021, a High Court Judge (Justice Richard Mwongo) in Naivasha –, Nakuru County invalidated a prohibition for the slaughter of donkeys after one of the Kenyan Donkey abattoirs (Star Brilliant) challenged the legal notice halting the slaughter of donkeys in Kenya, that had been effective since February 2020. The court indicated that the government did not sufficiently prove their case and hence giving the court grounds to quash the Legal Notice 63 of 2020, highlighting that it had violated the rights of Star Brilliant Slaughterhouse.

The said abattoir had sought to bar Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Hon Peter Munya and Attorney General Mr. Kihara Kariuki from enforcing a legal notice that halted the slaughtering of donkeys in Kenya

The ruling as it is, now grants the four donkey abattoirs in the country space and rights to legally resume their operations. We anticipate a possible influx of donkey movement along the borders being driven by high demand for donkeys by the abattoirs for slaughter.

On the same breath, ANAW partnering with Welttierschutzgesellschaft e.V. (WTG) engaged the media to air out the communities’ displeasure and long-term implications of reopening the donkey slaughterhouses.

The following are the links:

1. Kenya News Agency Online article: https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/donkey-endangered-as-its-skin-value-threatens-its-existence/
2. Star Newspaper Online Article: : https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2021-05-06-donkey-owners-cry-foul-over-reopening-of-slaughterhouses/

Increased Efforts to Halt Illegal Cross-border Donkey Trafficking

In the month of May, ANAW continued to implement the Brooke East Africa (EA) supported project aimed at building resilience and capacity for donkey owning communities and grassroot government officials to enhance vigilance and curtail theft and illegal movement of donkeys along the Kenya-Tanzania border.

The project team conducted four information sharing and community education meetings in Olposimoru, Ololaimutia in Narok County as well as Magadi and Rombo in Kajiado County. The focus of the meetings was to highlight the continuity of the project as well as inform the community members on the reopening of the donkey abattoirs in the country for their vigilance.

Similarly, four barazas (public gatherings) were also conducted in the above-mentioned four zones involving the respective chiefs and Nyumba Kumi (village elders) representatives encouraging them to come up with clear measures to curtail potential theft and illegal smuggling of donkeys following the reopening of the slaughterhouses. Administration Chiefs indicated that they had already formed local cultural tribunals with hefty penalties on anyone found stealing a donkey, to curb future donkey theft.

Importantly, a consultative meeting was conducted with the Security Border Patrol Committee based in Rombo. Members gave various suggestions on how to halt the illegal smuggling of donkeys from Tanzania. The National Border Patrol Unit conducts daily patrols from Taita Taveta up to Namanga Border Post with their officers posted along different stations along the porous lengthy stretch. During the successful meeting, they all committed to be on the lookout on any illegal donkey crossing the border and inform the Deputy County Commissioner based in Rombo for immediate action. The committee is comprised of the Deputy County Commissioner, area chiefs, Rombo Ranch leaders, local police, and the national border patrol unit.

Consequently, Voice of America aired two stories to keep the conversation going on, not only in Kenya but also beyond the borders. Here are the links;

1. ‘Kenyan Courts Lifts Ban on Donkey Slaughter’ - : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX6LcsblWRM
2. ‘Donkey Celebrated’ - : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZBgaS1IEMY airing from minute 16:28 to 20:34

Here's a great way to support Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) and enable us to protect future generations of animals. You can do so through the following ways:

Leave a Legacy in Your Will
By putting a bequest to ANAW in your will or trust, you will help us to improve the lives of animals far beyond your lifetime. Contact Purity at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you need additional information about how to include us in your will.

Through Donation

March - April 2021 Animal Welfare Updates

Judicial Education on Environment and Land for Magistrates

Held from March 9-12, 2021 at the Voyager Beach resort in Kenya’s premier coastal city of Mombasa, was this year’s Judicial Education on Environment and Land for Magistrates which was organized by the Judiciary Training Institute (JTI) and ANAW, with the support of United Nations Department Organization for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Katiba Institute, International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Wildlife Direct.

In attendance were 40 Magistrates, 5 Environment and Land Court (ELC) Judges led by the principal judge of the ELC, 12 members from NEMA and 13 participants from the various partner organizations. The training was for capacity building for ELC magistrates with environmental jurisdiction.

Mr. Josphat Ngonyo, ANAW’s Executive Director, gave opening remarks at the continuous Judicial Education on Environment and Land for Magistrates Training. Mr. Ngonyo in his remarks highlighted the myriad of environmental challenges like the continued deforestation of Kenya’s primary forests, leading to the damage of critical habitats and water catchment areas. He also reiterated on the critical role played by the environment and land court in promoting responsible and credible land and environmental conservation opportunities for all stakeholders and assured that ANAW and the larger civil society sector would continue to support and contribute meaningfully towards capacity building of judicial officers under the guidance of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), relevant to social, economic and environmental justice in Kenya and to be a role model for other African nations keen on involving different stakeholders on land and environmental matters.

The training which cut across discussions on environmental protection and major procedures in the environment and land courts provided key insights on emerging issues on environmental crime and the reshaping of application of land laws, eviction laws incognizant of the common challenges faced in adjudication of environmental matters.

Freeing Wildlife from Pain

Partnering with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and other stakeholders in the provision of emergency rescue services to injured and distressed animals, the ANAW rescue team in collaboration with the KWS Veterinary Unit responded to wildlife in distress at three different ranches in Nakuru County.

Two giraffes and three zebras in pain were attended to and given another chance to live. One of the giraffes was a female adult with a tight snare on the lower left hind foot at Kedong ranch. The giraffe was darted and brought down by trapping with a rope. The snare was removed, and animal medicated before being released to rejoin her herd.

The second was a female giraffe with a deep wound on the upper section of rear right foot. The giraffe was darted, immobilized, wound cleaned and treated before the animal was released to rejoin her fold. The three zebras had wire snares and were attended to and given another chance to live.

Consequently, 43 wire snares were lifted in Machakos County ranches – Maanzoni and Kwa Kyelu ranches. These could have killed unsuspecting wildlife, almost as many as twice that number.

Glimmer of Hope
The Government of Kenya under the Post Covid-19 Economic Stimulus Program recruited 5,500 community scouts in the 47 counties. In Machakos County, 79 community scouts were recruited with majority of them being deployed to ranches to protect wildlife. To help the new scouts do their patrols better; ANAW and KWS rangers based in Kapiti gave an orientation on de-snaring patrols to the scouts in three ranches within Machakos County.

Kasighau Guardians Intensify Their Patrols Amid Rising Human-Wildlife Conflict Cases

The ANAW-supported wildlife guardians conducted 64 patrols within the expansive community ranch in the months of March and April, to protect Kasighau’s wildlife.

In the month of April alone, the guardians noted increased incidences of human-wildlife conflict as they received intelligence report of herdsmen inside the ranch complaining about a cheetah that had been attacking their goats for a week. The incident was reported to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) who captured one male cheetah on April 28, 2021. Similarly, a cow was killed by a lion in Katana area in the month of March.

Arising from the reported escalating human-wildlife conflict cases, ANAW will be seeking to help equip the guardians with strong spotlights, solar charger and sounding horns or thunder flash to drive the animals away from human.

Capacity Building on Donkey Owning Communities and Grassroot Government Authorities

On March 31, 2021, ANAW officially closed the joint one-year project supported by The Brooke East Africa with a focus on building resilience and capacity of donkey owning communities and grass-root government officials for increased vigilance on donkey movement along the Kenya-Tanzania border to curtail illegal movement and rampant theft.

A new phase of the project has commenced in April 2021 and runs up to March 31, 2022, with a similar focus and objective and as an augmentation of the previous project.

Moyale Women: 'Donkeys Are Our Comfort'.

The implementation of the Welttierschutzgesellschaft e.V. (WTG) supported project that aims to address cross-border movement of donkeys across the East African borders focusing on Kenya-Ethiopia and Kenya-Tanzania border towns of Marsabit and Migori Counties has continued to take shape.

In the month of April, five Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with border communities were conducted within key border villages where donkey movement was common - Godoma, Bori, Golbo, Lami and Heilu. Vitally, it was noted that the women bore the biggest burden when their donkeys were stolen. Community members expressed the crucial role the donkey plays in safeguarding their livelihoods. Key functions undertaken by the donkey include fetching water, carrying farm produce, charcoal, firewood, among other uses. Indeed, the women referred to the donkey as ‘dhahabu gorille’ meaning ‘the donkey is my comfort.’

Moreover, during a 5-day market verification exercise, Moyale and Sololo markets were identified as the two main livestock markets in Moyale sub-county drawing traders from both Kenya and Ethiopia. Most of the livestock sold traversed through unofficial border routes (Dhambi, Kuraha, Rako, Mutiti, Mudiambo, Sololo among others) and rarely used the official One Stop Border Post in Moyale town. The focus of the exercise was to ascertain the sale of donkeys within the target markets and for what purpose (domestic use or commercial purpose).

A spot check of the donkeys in both markets ascertained that they were being used to ferry charcoal, farm produce, firewood, and petrol (gasoline) to the market.

Jaldesa Malicha, a donkey owner from Bori could not hide her joy after the FGD session; in her not-so-well-spoken Swahili, she said to ANAW team, “I have learned the importance of protecting my donkeys. This is the first ever meeting I have attended to talk about donkey welfare.” Closing one of her eyes, she added, “The government of Kenya should ensure the donkey slaughterhouses are shut down for good. We do not want to lose our donkeys again through theft. I will keep my donkeys safe so that they are not stolen. They are my dhahabu gorille.” And with a finality, she opined, “I will only sell my donkeys when I have a need for money but will not sell them to support the donkey slaughter business.”

Towards a Cage-Free Chicken Farming in Kenya

The first phase of the Open Wing Alliance (OWA) supported ‘towards a free-cage poultry farming’ project ended in the month of March with a coalition forming workshop held at Nuru Palace Hotel, in Nakuru County on March 10, 2021. The aim of the workshop was to forge a cage-free farming coalition in Kenya. The workshop attracted a total of 20 participants from animal welfare NGO’s, and professional associations with interest in poultry farming and welfare namely World Animal Protection, Kenya Society for Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA), Farm Animal Voice, The Brooke East Africa, Kenya Pig and Poultry Veterinary Association, World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and Welttierschutzstiftung (WTS).

The workshop which was a culmination of all the activities for phase one of the project provided a forum for experts’ presentations and guided group discussions on the best practices, structuring and composition of a coalition in Kenya. The workshop came up with recommendations and action plans for implementation towards the formation of the cage-free farming coalition. A working group was formed to streamline the recommendations and steer the coalition to lobby for cage-free farming in Kenya, with ANAW taking the secretariat role.

The team also got a chance to meet with faculty members from the faculty of veterinary medicine and faculty of agriculture of Egerton University. The meeting was held virtually on March 11, 2021 via Zoom. The meeting had four representatives from ANAW and six representatives from the university. The meeting was to find out the faculties’ thoughts on battery cage farming and how they can work together to integrate animal welfare in the curriculum. The faculty members were very receptive to the idea of working together and suggested three areas that we can work together. The first was in capacity building - guest lectures or motivational talks for their students, student activities and sensitization campaigns for farmers and revising the curriculum to improve on animal welfare to include all species not just farm animals.

The second phase of the project, which is a build-up of phase one, commenced in April 2021.

Infant Sykes Monkey Rescued From A Dog Attack

The months of March and April, Colobus Conservation – Primates Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre saw a total of over 31 welfare cases attended to. Out of the 31, 14 were Sykes, 1 Baboon, 7 Colobus and four vervets. Out of these, 8 came in dead, 4 were euthanized, 3 was admitted to the orphan care program.

Good news; an infant Sykes monkey was rescued from a vicious dog attack, and she was then entered into the orphan care program, too.

ANAW continues to support the important work of conserving the primates by providing a resident veterianary officer.

ANAW Joins 19 Global Organizations to Launch the World Federation for Animals

A storm was felt online when animal welfare organizations across the globe announced the birth of the World Federation for Animals (WFA) on February 8, 2021. The organizations came together to launch WFA as an initiative that gives a voice to animals across the world and to achieve global impact. WFA works to create this impact through policy discussions that advocate for animals in global decision-making forums.

“WFA is an incredible and profound initiative whose time has come. It is an initiative that is transformative in policy and practice, championing animal sentience and promoting a positive impact on the welfare of animals and people.” said ANAW’s Executive Director, Mr. Josphat Ngonyo.

The membership organization was launched during the world’s largest assembly on environmental conservation, United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA). ANAW is happy to partner with the federation which seeks to influence international policy, provide information on animals in international policy, connect animal protection partners and ensure a strategic global approach.

The founding members of WFA include Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW), American Anti-Vivisection Society – USA, Animals Australia/International, Asia for Animals, Brooks Institute, The – USA, Compassion in World Farming, Deutscher Tierschutzbund – Germany, Djurens Ratt – Sweden, Dyrenes Beskyttelse – Denmark, Eurogroup for Animals, Fondation Birgitte Bardot – France, FOUR PAWS – International, GAIA – Belgium, Mercy for Animals – USA, RSPCA - UK/International, World Animal Net and World Animal Protection. You can learn more about this exciting new initiative here, www.wfa.org.

The Practice of Animal Cruelty Discussed During Prime-Time in Nigeria

Nigeria has taken steps to protect and care for the animals within its borders by establishing prohibitions regarding animal cruelty in the Nigerian Criminal Code, Cruelty to animals (Part.7, Chap.50). A major move was made when the Nigerian Animal Welfare Strategy was produced in 2016. It is these pointers that Chiemeka Chiedozie, founder and CEO of Humane Global Network Africa and Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW)’s partner, raised during an interview discussing Plants, Animals and Ecosystems at Galaxy TV on April 25, 2021. He was quick to explain that although this is a win for the continent, challenges are still faced as the enactment and implementation of the laws are lacking to a great degree. Mr. Chiedozie argued that there are indeed laws in Nigeria that cater to the welfare of animals, but they are not implemented.

In a society where consumption of wild and domestic meat is the norm, it is difficult to discourage the concept of illegal killing of animals. Bold arguments were put forward by Mr. Chiedozie in contrasting the well-entrenched practice and explaining the importance of animals to the society in the public space. A common question was placed to Mr. Chiedozie, one that many animal welfare enthusiasts receive often, on how essential animals are in this part of the world where animals are only seen as food and objects to serve the human well-being. Animal abuse is not understood or asserted as a challenge in the society. Mr. Chiedozie took the audience through animal cruelty as a vice by highlighting ways that people abuse animals through starvation, maltreatment, and neglect.

He stated that the government is a good agent to help stop the abuse of animals in Nigeria. The government should play a mediatory role by creating awareness and should ensure that laws are implemented. He felt that the government should implement the law and see that those who abuse animal are caught, arrested, or forced to pay a hefty fine. Nigerians need awareness and should be taught to show kindness and compassion to other animals.

The interview went on to deliberate on the connection between environmental degradation and climate change, the role animals play in a balanced ecosystem, animal welfare policy in Nigeria, insecurity, and agriculture. Mr. Chiedozie emphasized that animals are part of the ecosystem and should be cared for even in a society where animal abuse is a concept that is not understood.

The interview gave insight to the great gap that Nigeria has in ingraining animal welfare concepts in everyday living.

We congratulate Mr. Chiemeka Chiedozie for the wonderful work he is doing. Please watch the interview on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctiixU7yUDQ

Support Our Work

Here's a great way to support Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) and enable us to protect future generations of animals. You can do so through the following ways:

Leave a Legacy in Your Will
By putting a bequest to ANAW in your will or trust, you will help us to improve the lives of animals far beyond your lifetime. Contact Purity at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you need additional information about how to include us in your will.

Through Donation
You can support our work by donating online through our secure online platform using a credit card.

Visit the https://www.anaw.org website for more information.

June 2021 Animal Welfare Updates

ANAW URGED TO USE SMART ANIMAL WELFARE STRATEGIES THAT ENGAGE WOMEN AND YOUTH

It was pomp and color as ANAW launched her new 5-year Strategic Plan (2021 – 2025) at Michuki Memorial Park, in Nairobi, on June 23, 2021. Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Environment and Forestry, Hon. Keriako Tobiko who graced the historic event urged ANAW to give recognition and prominence to women and the youth when implementing the new Strategic Plan.

“Women are the best protectors of natural resources; engage them. You must also locate the youth centrally within the implementation strategy for they have the energy and innovative minds to drive the positive change you seek in animal welfare and environmental conservation.” he said. “Again, I must applaud you for including environmental conservation in your strategy – this, is in a way, ‘trying to make peace with nature’ as recommended in United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP's) report ‘Making Peace with Nature’.” CS Tobiko added.

“As human beings we are the stewards and custodians of these animals – to tenderly care for them. To respect them. To protect them. And more importantly, to preserve them not just for ourselves but for our children and children’s children.” He further appealed.

On his part, ANAW’s Executive Director, Mr. Josphat Ngonyo said that the key lesson learnt from the just ended Strategic Plan (2016-2020) was the interdependency and connectivity of animals, environment, and human health. “The new Strategic Plan has adopted One Health - One Welfare approach interconnecting animal welfare, human well-being, and the environment.” he said. “Moreover, the new strategy fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to improve environmental protection, human and animal welfare internationally for a better, greener, and sustainable world.” He emphasized.

Prof. Janet Rumfelt - President of the Board, ANAW-USA in her congratulatory message said, “I gladly acknowledge that ANAW achieved major strides during the just ended strategic period and I am happy to note that the new strategic plan promises to propel ANAW to a higher level in its work.”

The Judiciary Training Institute (JTI) Director and Judge of Court of Appeal - Hon. Justice Kathurima M' Inoti, during his good-will message to ANAW said, “The centrality of the environment in our lives cannot be over-emphasized. I thank ANAW for including it in their strategy.” “Importantly, I thank ANAW for the continuous support in building capacity for Environment and Land Court (ELC) judges and magistrates through annual conferences.

More than 50 guests attended the launch including; The UNEP, the Kenya Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), animal welfare and environmental conservation organizations among other ANAW partners and friends.

To watch the summary video clip of the Strategic Plan Launch, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlqkB69oLNw

To read/download ANAW's 5 year Strategic Plan: click link: https://bit.ly/3zqv55a

COMMUNITY-LED CONSERVANCIES EMBARK ON WILDLIFE DE-SNARING

Naretunoi Conservancy in Kitengela, Kajiado County on June 18, 2021, played host to a de-snaring training exercise that saw 25 community scouts from different conservancies in Kitengela and Machakos trained on effective removal of snares, normally set up in wildlife areas by poachers.

These, mainly wire snares are used for illegal game meat hunting, mostly in wildlife hotspots, south and west of Kenya. The vice is on the verge of becoming a national disaster and high risk for public health given the large volumes of wildlife carcasses intercepted by law enforcement agents while on transit for commercial sale to unsuspecting consumers.

The ANAW team underscored the importance the organization places on preserving the wildlife for future generations as well as her prime mandate to eliminate suffering and cruelty meted on all animals.

Further, the trainees were also taken through wildlife management skills by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), ANAW, The Wildlife Foundation (TWF), Naretunoi Conservancy and Kenya Wildlife Conservancy Association (KWCA).

SOUTH COAST TURTLE STAKEHOLDERS’ WORKSHOP HELD

ANAW in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) conducted a one-day turtle stakeholder’s workshop on June 3, 2021, at Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park headquarters.

ANAW which has been partnering with coastal turtles monitoring groups in the past, had seen the need to engage more partners to expand the scope of monitoring and conserving turtles. Hence the workshop was aimed at assessing the possibility of working with new partners in turtles’ conservation along the Kenya’s south coast. Msambweni, Funzi and Mashimoni turtle monitoring groups, who also attended the workshop, expressed their interest in partnering with ANAW to safeguard the welfare of turtles within the region.

KASIGHAU GUARDIANS RECORDS RISING HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT CASES

The ANAW-supported wildlife guardians conducted 21 patrols within the expansive community ranch in the month of June, to protect Kasighau’s wildlife.

During these patrols, the guardians noted increased incidences of human-wildlife conflict as one of the Kasigau’s ranch herds-man was attacked by a charging male buffalo sustaining serious body injuries and was rushed to the hospital for specialized treatment. Equally devastating, a rangers’ campsite at Kiwanjani was attacked by a lone marauding elephant destroying their kitchen, food and four water tanks.

Arising from the reported escalating human-wildlife conflict cases, ANAW will be seeking to help equip the guardians with strong spotlights, solar charger and sounding horns or thunder flash to scare animals away from their camp.

FOUR PRIMATES FREED FROM PAIN AND RELEASED TO JOIN THEIR FOLD

During the month of June, Colobus Conservation – Primates Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre saw a total of 17 welfare (5 Sykes, 8 Colobus and 4 Vervets) cases attended to. Four cases were treated and released to join their fold, and 1 was transferred to another clinic facility.

Good news; two Colobus, one Vervet and 1 Sykes were treated and released back to the wild.

ANAW continues to support the important work of conserving the primates by providing a resident veterinary officer.

BUILDING BACK TOGETHER TO PROMOTE ANIMAL WELFARE IN SCHOOLS

Covid-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns disrupted the normal learning in all institutions of learning world-wide. Kenya’s institutions were not spared - hence running of ANAW’s Promoting Animal Welfare (PAWS) program was majorly affected.

PAWS program has been providing a unique opportunity for learners in 41 schools across five counties (Kiambu, Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos and Nairobi) to engage in animal knowledge through club lessons, environmental outreach such as tree planting and other creative activities within the school precincts.

To chart the way forward and build back better together in this pandemic period, a patrons’ meeting was held online on June 12, 2021, with 17 schools’ club’s patrons attending. The agenda was three-fold; one, the next step after Covid; two, what support do the patrons need to continue with the program and; three, what can the patrons do under the circumstances.

The patrons agreed to carry on with the program by adapting to the new normal using materials shared to them online, as well as using the materials they have at their disposal and the new materials that ANAW was developing.

Amidst all the challenges, there were some heart-warming stories from the schools. In Matungulu Primary School, one of the club members rescued seven puppies at the school’s fence. Yet again, one member of Emanson Academy Club adopted a dog that he feeds every day.

Prof. Sarah Bexel, a humane education expert from the University of Denver, addressed the school patrons during the online meeting and shared on the importance of humane education and the positive impact on the learners. “Humane education provides students with knowledge, awareness, and information-gathering skills so that they can make humane and sustainable decisions and be active in creating a more humane world.” She counselled.

Change of Dates: 5th Africa Animal Welfare Conference (AAWC), Action 2021.

We would like to kindly inform you that the conference dates have been changed from September as earlier planned, and the conference will now take place from the 1st to 3rd November 2021 (arrival Sunday 31st October and departure Thursday 4th November).

You can choose to register to attend either physically in Accra, Ghana or virtually from the comfort of your home or workspace.

Physical attendance registration link: https://www.aawconference.org/registration/2021/

Virtual attendance registration link: https://www.aawconference.org/registration/2021/virtual/

To find out more about the conference click here: http://www.aawconference.org

Here's a great way to support Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) to protect present and future generations of animals. You can do so through the following ways:

A Donation
Click link to donate

A Legacy in Your Will
By putting a bequest to ANAW in your will or trust, you will help us improve the lives of animals far beyond your lifetime. Contact Purity at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you need additional information about how to include us in your will.