Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Ivory belongs to elephants now in Transmara- Mara...

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Ivory belongs to elephants now in Transmara- Mara...: Maasai Mara Grass-root education and awareness elephant campaign walk . " Taking the initiative " 200km walk  Jim Nya...

Ivory belongs to elephants now in Transmara- Mara

Maasai Mara Grass-root education and awareness elephant campaign walk .

" Taking the initiative " 200km walk 

Jim Nyamu Director Elephant Neighbors Center and the leader or Ivory belongs to elephant campaign walk  at Kilgoris trading centre . For the last 11 days I will be walking and talking in areas such as Olmotonyi, Lorgarian, Kawai, Mara Rianta, Aitong  more information about the route please check : www; http://elephantcenter.org  

Addressing community meeting at Kilgoris  #Ivorybelongstoelephants

I was very impressed by Agama hotel by their outstanding campaign banner :  A place to behttp://www.angama.com

With my supporters who walked with me from Lorgarian 27 km to Kawai that includes
Mara West: http://marawest.com and Kichwa Tembo :http://www.andbeyond.com/kichwa-tembo-tented-camp/ and Mpata Safari Club http://www.mpata-masaimara.com

I have addressed 17 community meetings since 24th Sept and am very concerned about the community attitudes towards wildlife conservation and Maasai Mara Game Reserve. In my own analysis the biggest percentage of people living in Mara do not appreciate what they have. about 70 % of the people who stood and either ask or make a comments have  a negative attitude towards the wildlife conservation.

In 2006 Maasai Mara Game Reserve was  named one of the new Seventh Wonders of the World in a poll of experts conducted by ABC Television's Good Morning America. The incredible annual migration of over a million Wildebeest from the Serengeti plains to the Mara has been described as being one of the most awe inspiring sights on earth, and a broadcast on US morning television took this spectacle into millions of American homes.

The sheer spectacle of this event draws visitors keen to witness one of the planet’s largest and most fascinating natural cycles to Kenya each year, and is regarded as the planet's greatest natural spectacle- and it is this remarkable event that saw the Mara ranked as one of the new Seven Wonders.
The central migratory herds of over 1.3 million wildebeest spend much of the year grazing throughout the plains of the Serengeti. The herds calve in January to March, the young born ready to make their first, epic journey. In June, as the dry season withers the grasslands and a distant scent of moisture brings promise of rain in the north, they begin to gather, massing together to form a single vast herd. 
They pour northwards, a pulsing, surging column of life. The sound of the approaching herd is a deep, primal rumbling of thundering hooves and low grunts. This endless grey river of life is mottled with black and white as zebras join the throng, drawn onwards in the search for the rains and fresh life giving grass.
By July the herds begin crossing from Tanzania to Kenya, bringing the plains to life as predators are drawn to this perfect opportunity for easy hunting. 
At the edge of the Maasai Mara the herds face their greatest obstacle, a series of rivers that must be crossed. At the Mara River the herds gather at the banks, piling together in front of the broad fast flowing waters. As the pressure built the herds finally surge into the river, many animals hurling themselves off high banks.

Follow us on:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/elephantcenter/

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Elephant population decline in Maasai Mara Nationa...

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Elephant population decline in Maasai Mara Nationa...: According to KWS, the Republic of Tanzania and African Elephant Database, Maasai Mara National Reserve elephant population has continued de...

Elephant population decline in Maasai Mara National Reserve

According to KWS, the Republic of Tanzania and African Elephant Database, Maasai Mara National Reserve elephant population has continued declined over 10 years or less.

In 2007 the entire Maasai Mara National Reserve that includes Kenyan conservancies had 2,072, 2010 there was slight increase 3,071 and the most recent survey 2014 in collaboration with Tanzania National Park shows a huge decline in the northern part which is Kenya with 1,448 and the entire Maasai Mara- Serengeti ecosystem accommodating 6,087.

 A total of 192 elephant carcasses were counted in the entire ecosystem, of which 117 were in the northern part and 75 in the south. In the north, 84% of carcasses were found outside of the Maasai Mara National Reserve and 18% were found inside. In the south, 27% of the carcasses were found outside protected areas and 73 % were found inside.

Summarised by Jim Justus Nyamu the leading grass-root education & awareness campaign dubbed  “ Ivory belongs to elephants”. We are now preparing for a 200km walk in Maasai Mara covering Western, Northern and Eastern side of the Reserves September 24th- October 4th.

Follow us on https://www.facebook.com/groups/392490094150085/ for more information. Jim Justus Nyamu has now walked 5001km both in Kenya and in US raising awareness on the plight of African elephant .

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Elephant conservation or development in Kenya ?

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Elephant conservation or development in Kenya ?: Couple or fundamental reasons trigger elephant movement, Kenyan elephant range was spread over 70% 50 years ago. The increase in human popu...

Elephant conservation or development in Kenya ?

Couple or fundamental reasons trigger elephant movement, Kenyan elephant range was spread over 70% 50 years ago. The increase in human population demanded development expanding into former elephant range causing the elephant to be killed for it tusks and this has increased conflict, the elephant population dropped from the high of 167,000 in the 70’s to about 16,000 in late 80’s.   There have been great investments and efforts that enabled the elephant population to increase to what was estimated at 35,000 in 2010 and currently according to African elephant database 2013 status report indicates 26,400 a significant drop.  Despite of efforts; some elephant range remains comparatively clear of human settlement and active activities where elephants will always avoid.

Various elephant surveys have disclosed that most of elephant habitats in Kenya are currently under conservation and human threats, these habitats includes forest and savannah elephant range zones. For the last 15 years we have seen a lot of development in Kenya that includes road expansions, cities and railway line developed and about 80% of them have taken out part of Kenyans National Park, wildlife corridors or dispersal areas. New farms have continued immerging in areas adjacent to the Parks, Reserves and in dispersal areas since most of migratory corridors have been blocked by development.  Conservation will always suffer and the outcry will always be seen when human-wildlife conflict increase and every one is up complaining Kenya Wildlife Service have failed and they should come and take away their animals. 

Human-wildlife conflict to me is a perception and a man made created problem; there has been various policies, development plans, strategic plans on how to reduce human-wildlife conflict in this country and none of them address the development as a source of the problem. We need the development, roads, etc. but not at the expense of our wildlife habitats that play a significant ecological role among other benefits.  Elephant memory is triggered between the month of June-September every year; these are the months that conflict is very high in the country; during this month elephants move from one place to another place on what is called “ habitual movement” unfortunately they find some of the areas they use to forage have been developed. For instance I have observed elephants coming to Ngong area from Maasai Mara through Loita, Mosiro at times to Kibiko with intention of crossing to Amboseli National Park through Nairobi- Kitengela areas sicne 2004 to date, we are acrually waiting for some elephants in Ngong and Kiserian any time. In July 2011 /12 KWS captured some elephants in Kitengela and released them in Amboseli Park, this had followed another two elephants again captured in Kitengela in 2007 and released in Amboseli and one elephant walked back using Namanga-Meshenani and died before reaching Namanga due to stress. I followed this particular elephant and he was so stressed to a point of not eating or drinking water.  Elephants like human being get stressed and annoyed; we have seen elephants in Machakos town from Amboseli Park attempting to cross to Kora National Park through Kitui areas, which are not possible because of development. Last year about 5 elephants were spotted in Salama from Amboseli and local communities who have never seen elephants surrounded elephants with dogs and this provoked elephants due to continued backing from dogs that left several people injured by elephants.  Three weeks ago a group of elephants were spotted in Chaka near Naromoru crossing Thego forest of Mt Kenya to Sangare ranch in an attempt to cross to Kabiruini forest of Nyeri before entering Aberdares forest.  This has not left the cross-border elephant out, about 100 elephants have now entered Tsavo West from Tanzania through Mahadakini-Bosinia Gicheha farms areas, according to a reliable sources this elephants must have crossed the border before the electric fence now in Kendong and Timbira areas covering Tsavo West National Park was elected .  KWS are forced to open the fence once any elephant reported in such areas. “My walk in the area where community would tell me that when our elephant pass through Bosia area which is now some building are coming up can confirm this”.  

It is so worrying because agriculture is given high priority than wildlife conservation in this country. Most of all these barriers have been dominated by communities who are practicing agriculture by opening areas that have never been. Amboseli and Maasai Mara were the first areas to be issued with 1 yearlong moratorium on any further development, pending the completion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) * The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has with effect from 28th February 2013 declared a moratorium on the Amboseli ecosystem. The implication of the moratorium is that NEMA and relevant lead agencies shall NOT issue requisite licenses for ANY NEW/PROPOSED developments or projects as listed in the second schedule of the Environment Management and Coordination Act, 1999.The moratorium will be in place for a period of one (1) year or until the Amboseli Ecosystem Management Plan that has been developed in consultation with stakeholders is gazetted* .  Now this period lapsed this year and what has happened is new development than even before the moratorium, this is the BIG QUESTION? What do we want with our wildlife?  This is now Nairobi Park leave alone Tsavo conservation area under the myriad of conservation challenges; who is listening and who do we expect to act

Jim Justus Nyamu is the Director of Elephant Neighbors Center and currently raising awareness on the plight of African elephant through walking and talking ,  he has now covered 5001km walk both in Kenya and in the USA. 

Follow him on 

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/392490094150085/

Twitter: @NyamuJim

Instagram: justus_justus-nyamu

For the upcoming walks. 

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Walking for Elephants and crying out for Elephants...

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Walking for Elephants and crying out for Elephants...: Jim Nyamu walking in Nyahururu and comforting a primary school pupil injured by an elephant Its now 2 years  since I started this grass...

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Why its not easy ...

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Why its not easy ...: Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Why its not easy to reverse CITES decision in the ... : This is a lesson for African elephant Range state w...

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Conserving elephants through education for sustain...

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Conserving elephants through education for sustain...: Education and Advocacy has been practiced globally and has received a stand in the sustainable, environmental and conservation arena. ...

Conserving elephants through education for sustainable development

Education and Advocacy has been practiced globally and has received a stand in the sustainable, environmental and conservation arena. The late Laureate Prof. Wangari Mathai (Environmentalist), Mahtama Gandhi, among other key people, have used it in raising awareness that lead in policy formulation in development sectors.

Elephant Neighbors Center, under the leadership of Jim Justus Nyamu, has been in the forefront in promoting this philosophy of advocacy in the country and beyond through education and campaign walks dubbed “ Ivory belongs to Elephants” advocating for elephant conservation, using elephants as a key stone and a flag species.

Between 2013- 2015, ENC, through Jim Justus Nyamu, started the grass-root education campaign walk raising awareness on the plight of the African Elephant (Loxodonta Africana). This campaign focuses on reminding communities about elephant conservation, the elephant values, the role of communities in conservation and highlighting the new Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013. I have now walked 5001km in different counties involving various high powered dignitaries in different sectors such as H.E the First Lady Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta, Cabinet Secretary to the Ministry of Environment Water and Natural Resources Prof Judy Wakhungu, Agt Director General KWS and KFS, Internationally the following persons have participated in this walk:  i.e. Senator Michael J.Barret  (Massachusetts in USA), President of International Funds for Animal Welfare         (IFAW) Mr. Azzedine Downes, Will Trevers of Born Free Foundation UK amongst others. Additionally this campaign walk offers an opportunity among the conservation agencies to recognize and implement solutions that may aid them to overcome the underlying environmental, conservation, social and development challenges in order to achieve their blueprint mission.

Q&A: Walking for Elephants: One Man’s Journey Across Kenya

Q&A: Walking for Elephants: One Man’s Journey Across Kenya

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Amboseli-Tsavo grass-root elephant campaign walk

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Amboseli-Tsavo grass-root elephant campaign walk: IVORY BELONGS TO ELEPHANTS CAMPAIGN : Feb 14th 2015  Kenya continues to face enormous challenges in conservation. To satisfy the desire...

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Amboseli-Tsavo grass-root elephant campaign walk

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Amboseli-Tsavo grass-root elephant campaign walk: IVORY BELONGS TO ELEPHANTS CAMPAIGN : Feb 14th 2015  Kenya continues to face enormous challenges in conservation. To satisfy the desire...

Amboseli-Tsavo grass-root elephant campaign walk

IVORY BELONGS TO ELEPHANTS CAMPAIGN : Feb 14th 2015 

Kenya continues to face enormous challenges in conservation. To satisfy the desire for illegal trophies of the developed countries African resources are poached through funded criminal cartels. The killing of the African Elephant by organised gangs has defied the efforts of our security organisations to crush this serious vice, with the result that our remaining Elephant population could become extinct within the next decade.

Jim Nyamu walking along Loitoktok road

Elephant poaching and the exploitation of Ivory trade continue to pose a major threat to elephant populations in Kenya. From 1979 to 1989, 151,100 elephants were killed in Kenya. Over 300 elephants were killed last year and at least 15 have died already this year due to poaching, natural death and also due to Population Control within National Parks. Kenya currently has26,000 elephants, from a population of 35,000 in 2011; at least 4 elephants are killed every day through poaching and community retaliation.

Jim Nyamu being flag off from Amboseli National Park with him is Evans Mkala of IFAW, Norah Njiraini of ATE .

African elephants are the largest land mammals on earth these majestic giants maintain many of Africa’s diverse habitats rendering them a keystone species on which many plants and animals depend. Most forests in Africa depend on elephants for seed dispersal and to create open spaces through which seedlings can grow. These forests impound carbon and release water and oxygen, playing a key role in global climate control. Living alongside these animals has always been a challenge for humans. Man has long killed elephants for their ivory and persecuted them for raiding crops, But alongside this uneasy relationship a link is slowly being created through community education and participation in community conservation programs. Amara Conservation has been doing just that work in the Tsavo Conservation Area since 2004.

We encountered this big bulls in the Amboseli National Park.

Awareness of who actually owns the wildlife, and existing data on their status, sheds light on the need for conservation. The continued and systematic elimination of our elephants is a concern for every Kenyan. It is our collective duty to protect the elephants.

Elephant Neighbors Centre under the Leadership of Mr. Jim Justus Nyamu hopes to educate communities on the values and benefits of wildlife, creating awareness of the massive elephant poaching taking place in Kenya. They have done this through walking and talking to communities on the atrocities and the irreversible damage associated with killing of elephants. The campaign dubbed ‘Ivory Belongs to Elephants’ started in 2013. The Campaign has reached out to many people including 326 learning institutions and over 350 community meetings in 29 counties. Jim has walked for over 4,400 km now, including 950 km in the USA (Boston to Washington D.C.) carrying this vital message: IVORY BELONGS TO ELEPHANTS.

Jim Nyamu and his team received by Deputy County Commissioner in Loitoktok

Elephant Neighbors Center under the ‘Ivory Belongs to Elephants’ campaign will embark on its (without apostrophe) first walk this year on the 6^th of February to the 14^th of March, 2015 in the Tsavo Amboseli Ecosystem. This walk will be flagged offat Emali in MakueniCounty, and traverse Amboseli,Loitoktok,Taveta, through Wundanyi,Tsavo and finish inVoiTown on 14^th March with a big celebration. Big Life Foundation and the Kenya Wildlife Service have set the route from Emali to Amboseli. The route and communities to be visited in the Tsavo areas have been organized and planned by, Wildlife Works, KWS and Amara Conservation among other organizations. Other partners of note include Wildlife Works, Born Free Foundation, Taita Taveta County Government, Mbulia Conservancy,  Tsavo Pride, ANAW, Voi BodabodaDrivers Association, Tsavo East Stakeholders Association.

The Amboseli and Tsavo ecosystems are home to the largest number of tuskers ever recorded in Kenyan history. The elephant population in both parks is currently approximately 11,087 and 1, 2000 respectively. Land outside these parks is crucial to wildlife since they serve as dispersal areas and seasonal habitats. These areas are threatened with increasing ‘land sub-division, agricultural Expansion and major new construction projects (e.g. The Standard Gauge Railway from Nairobi to Mombasa, the Taveta/Mwakitau Highway renovation).‘THE IVORY BELONGS TO ELEPHANTS’ team will hold community meetings, walks around the villages and market places educating people on the importance of living in harmony with wildlife.

These walks are not only designed to create awareness but also to create a platform to share  details of the new Wildlife Conservation Act that was signed into effect in January 2014. These include higher penalties for wildlife crimes, and better compensation for wildlife damage to human settlements. To win this war on poaching we call on all Kenyans to take a moment and reflect on the state of our resources in the coming years.

Jim welcomes on board all willing participants and vows to walk until the world knows that indeed, IVORY BELONGS TO ELEPHANTS.