Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Lesson to Learn from Botswana on Elephant Conserva...

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Lesson to Learn from Botswana on Elephant Conserva...: Coming to term with the latest news from  “African Elephant Giant nation Botswana”; I appreciate that there has been stern confab in ide...

Lesson to Learn from Botswana on Elephant Conservation

Coming to term with the latest news from “African Elephant Giant nation Botswana”;I appreciate that there has been stern confab in identifying a coping mechanism on the increasing in elephant population across Southern African region;“I credit that decisions about wildlife management should be based on science rather than willful ignorance of it.”  In my humble view I feel like the decision to lift the hunting of elephants was not well moored by scientific or other forms of scientific evidence; in the entire world of conservation we have never seen or witness such decision solving the underlying said contests.

The rationale behind lifting hunting include:  “The number and high levels of human-elephant conflict and the consequent impact on livelihoods was increasing; Predators appear to have increased and were causing a lot of damage as they kill livestock in large numbersamong others 

I have been globally put to analysis this decision and this is what I feel; 

·      The government of Botswana would have consulted the African Elephant Range state; In Africa we have about 37 countries hosting at least 1,000 elephants and above and they play a central role in elephant conservation, lifting the ban on hunting will affect the continental elephant population not a single country or a region. 

·      Its time for African Elephant range states establish and enhance the “Regional integrated trans boundary approach”, elephants are known as long distance species and move from one country to another country. This validates why this trans boundary approach is very important and will discourage a decision from a single country. Invariably, they will offer space for these species as well as sharing synergy in tackling conservation challenges. 

·      If a population or any species seems increasing and may cause unprecedented challenges i.e. ecological or human conflict; a country or a region should consider translocations to the countries that have lost their elephants if only the said country (s) have collected the cause of species disappearance.  Some countries have lost their elephants are now ready to can accommodate more elephants such countries includes Malawi, Uganda and Ethiopia among others. 

I feel like Botswana Government is playing a devil advocate rule here!  African leaders and policy makers have demonstrated conservation ignorance and need to be kindled up by a thrust! I have traversed in most of African countries and I can attest that our leaders have ignored science and instead have embraced unplanned infrastructural development targeting the protected areas. These developments are cash cows for most of these leaders for self-gain; and have stemmed in expansion of wildlife conflict between humans exasperating the negative attitudes from communities towards wildlife conservation. 

By Jim Justus Nyamu- Elephant Conservations and cruder 

Kenya's Elephant Man On Why Elephants Matter

Kenya's Elephant Man On Why Elephants Matter

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Why Conserve African & Asian Elephants

Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC): Why Conserve African & Asian Elephants: Why it’s important to conserve African and Asian Elephants African and Asian Elephants population has drastically reduced due to the fo...

Why Conserve African & Asian Elephants

Why it’s important to conserve African and Asian Elephants

African and Asian Elephants population has drastically reduced due to the following challenges, 80% of them are caused by human being; Habitat loss and Fragmentation, Capture of wild elephants, Conflict with communities, Illegal hunting and trade, Genetic threats and Diseases.

Asian elephants occur in isolated populations in 13 range States, with an approximate total range area of almost 880,000 square kilometers equivalent to only one-tenth of the historical range as defined by the IUCN. Surveys shows that 13 Asian elephant range States host between 39,500 and 43,500 wild Asian elephants. In addition, there are approximately 13,000 domesticated (working or former working) elephants in Asia.

My campaign this time is to create awareness on their predicaments and contest the key commands in assessing their commitments during the Conference of Parties 18 (CoP18) of the CITES in Sri- Lanka.  

Most of African and Asian elephants range states have presented their apprehensiveness to the upcoming CoP18 in bit to protect the two key species. The CITES works with governments to to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. The survival of these two distinct species lies in the hands of government, communities and off course donors who comes to enhance the conservation efforts by bridging the financials gaps. Social studies show that most of the wildlife departments or agents in Africa despite being a government parastatals or departments lack government financial and political goodwill support. 

These wildlife agents have worked so hard in providing conservation /species strategies or policies i.e. Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, nevertheless these rich and thoughtful documents need to be implemented and the execution need personnel and funds. The end results to this end are poor wildlife conservation managements that have certified the underlying challenges in conservation.  Invariably all these issues have left communities or civilians in a state of catharsis and challenges such as illegal hunting and habitat loss that are decreasing both elephants and their habitats very fast.  “ Losing elephants means losing habitats and ecosystems that host clean water, clean air and support livelihoods”

I aim at having an audience for the first time at CoP18 of the CITES with a backing of both Asian and African elephants conservationist in May –June 2019. To achieve this and more I need your support from logistics, on the ground (Sri-Lanka), sharing of networks globally, and financial support.

Jim Justus Nyamu

Kenya Elephant Man, Mourns Julius Kimani

It’s with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Mr. Julius Kimani Former Director of Parks and Reserves of KWS. On behalf of Elephant Neighbors Center, and I send our deepest condolences to Mr. Julius Kimani’s family and the Kenya Wildlife Service family at this difficult time. The world of conservation mourns with you and celebrates the extraordinary life of this remarkable “ General” who devoted his life to peacefully protecting Kenyan Wildlife. 

The work of the Kenya Wildlife Service stands as a testament to the power of his leadership, he rose to the rank of Acting Director due to his dedication, humbleness but no-nonsense man. Mr. Julius’s tireless efforts earned him not only a highest position at KWS but to the Kenyan Conservation fraternity, he was known to any one in Kenya and in conservation.

I celebrate an extraordinary man, a warrior, a statesman, and a patriot, who embodied so much that, is best in Kenyan Wildlife Conservation fraternity and in Kenya. So for someone like Julius to ask you while he is still alive to stand and speak of him when he is gone is a precious and singular honor. At one he was quoted “Tsavo is Kenya’s second oldest national park. It biodiversity is part of our history and one of the pillars of our economy. For this reason, we will protect this unique ecosystem and its wildlife fiercely, relentlessly and passionately. And for as long as we have friends like IFAW who share our vision, Tsavo will live well into the future” 

I personally met Julius Kimani in early 2000 but interacted with him in 2013 during my Mombasa- Nairobi Elephant Walk to this date, he has lingered as a close confidant and a friend bearing in mind my campaign need planning, intelligent and honest personnel! His leadership will be immensely missed.  I celebrate my friend and I will remember him for the many things he did for this country, he did it without asking for anything in returns, he never expected anything but instead he did because he was passionate and did it from his heart despite the risk therein. If there is anything we can learn from Julius is what contribution are we making, what sacrifice are we giving for the betterment of wildlife conservation in this country, are we working for our self or are for the wellbeing of people of this country! What kind of a legacy are we fulfilling!  

It brings to mind something that Hemingway wrote, in the book  “ For Whom the Bells Toll “ “Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be. But what will happen in all the other days that ever come can depend on what you do today.” In the world of conservation, Julius learned in ways that few of us ever will the meaning of those words—how each moment, each day, each choice is a test. And Julius passed that test again and again and again. And that’s why when we spoke of virtues like service and duty held by Julius while on duty, it didn’t ring echoing. They are just words to him. It was a truth that he had lived and for which he was prepared to die. And it forced even the most cynical to consider, what were we doing for our country? What might we risk everything for?

Julius upholds orders; discipline and he would not hesitate to tell us when required! Like all of us who go into public service, he did have an ego. Like all of us, there was no doubt some people didn’t like his working philosophy, some compromises he struck, some decisions he made that he wished he could have back. It’s no secret—he had a temper, and when it flared up, it was a force of nature, a wonder to behold. His jaw screeching, his face blushing, his eyes boring a hole right through you!  I ever experienced it firsthand, mind you. But to know Julius! One  was to know that as quick as his passions might flare, he was just as quick to forgive and ask for forgiveness. He knew more than most his own weaknesses, and his blind spots, and he knew how to laugh at himself. And that self-awareness made him all the more convincing.

What better way to honor Julius’s life of service than, as best we can, follow his example? To prove that the willingness to get in the arena and fight for wildlife conservation is not reserved for the few, it is open to all of us, and in fact it is demanded of all of us as citizens of Kenya. That’s perhaps how we honor him best, by recognizing that there are some things bigger than ourselves or desire or money or fame or authority. That there are some things that are worth risking everything for: principles that are endless, truths that are unshakable. At his best, I believed Julius showed us what that means and how to live on it and we are all deeply in his debt. May God bless Julius Kimani and rest his affectionate soul in the best place.

Jim Justus Nyamu , Cde

Executive Director Elephant Neighbors Center