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14th Carnivore Conference

KWS HOLDS THE 14TH CARNIVORE CONFERENCE: FOCUS ON CONSERVATION IN CHANGING LANDSCAPES

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) October 24, 2024 held its 14th Carnivore Conference at its headquarters, gathering a diverse assembly of stakeholders committed to the conservation of Kenya’s iconic carnivores. The two-day conference, themed “Carnivore Conservation in Changing Landscapes,” aims to address the pressing challenges faced by these species in the context of rapidly evolving environmental conditions.

In his opening remarks, KWS Director General Dr. Erustus Kanga highlighted the significance of this year’s conference, noting its return after a hiatus since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This conference brings together government agencies, wildlife managers, community representatives, scientists, and conservation partners,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across sectors in the pursuit of effective conservation strategies as he called upon all the stakeholders to deliberate and find tangible and practical initiatives to curb the current emerging issues in conservation, citing the human-hyena conflict in Juja, Kiambu County.

The conference underscores the ongoing implementation of the second edition of the National Recovery and Action Plan for Lion and Spotted Hyena in Kenya, which is currently in its fourth year. The Director General also announced efforts to review and develop recovery plans for cheetahs and wild dogs, as well as a multi-species action plan for lesser-known small carnivores, which face increasing threats of extinction.

This year’s theme reflects the urgent need to respond to habitat fragmentation, resource competition, and human-wildlife conflict exacerbated by population growth and development. “These changes demand innovative solutions to secure the future of carnivores as a global heritage,” he added, calling for actionable recommendations to emerge from the conference discussions.

The Director General reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to fostering partnerships that enhance conservation efforts and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. “Our mission is to sustainably conserve Kenya’s wildlife heritage for the well-being of both nature and people,” he stated, expressing hope for collaborative adaptive mechanisms that promote coexistence.

Participants include representatives from WWF Kenya, Ewaso Lions, and other key organizations that have contributed to the planning and hosting of this significant event. The conference aims to provide a robust platform for knowledge exchange and the formulation of strategies that will guide future conservation efforts.

As the conference progresses, stakeholders are encouraged to engage actively and contribute insights that will shape the future of carnivore conservation in Kenya with a focus on whether we have enough prey base, and how best to ensure the prey base of predators remain safe to avoid the constant human-carnivore conflicts.

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