Date Published:
The East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS) and the Mara Conservation Fund (MCF) have donated 14 off-road motorcycles to anti-poaching operations by various organizations.
The organizations include the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Narok County Government, and community wildlife conservancies in the Mara. The motorcycles are expected to improve patrolling of wildlife areas as well as cut down on response time to poaching attempts.
The handover function was attended by the EAWLS Executive Director, Mr Michael Gachanja, KWS Acting Director General Mr William Kiprono and Environment and Natural Resources Cabinet Secretary, Prof Judi Wakhungu.
Conservancies which benefited from the donation included Ol Kinyei, Naboisho, Pardamat Conservation Area, and Olare-Motorogi and the Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancy Association (MMWCA),.
Prof. Judi Wakhungu noted that Kenya had experienced an increase in the number of seizures of illegal trophies in Kenyan ports; and for the first time, more seizures have been made on the African continent than in Asia.
She said: “Whilst each seizure is a success in our efforts, we still need to get the poachers before they strike. Therefore, this donation of motorcycles will improve patrolling of wildlife areas as well as cut down on response time when poachers are sighted.”
She added: “We cannot win this battle alone and I am happy that the donation of motorcycles was made possible by citizens of the People’s Republic of China. With increased collaboration between Kenya and China, we will be tackling the illegal wildlife trade from both the supply and demand sides of this market.”
