Kenya's wildlife agency says to enhance cooperation with China

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has said it will continue to strengthen cooperation with China in wildlife protection.

The remarks were made after a delegation from China's State Forestry Administration held talks on Monday with KWS officials.

Speaking to Xinhua after the meeting with the Chinese delegation, the acting KWS deputy director in charge of strategy and change, Edwin Wanyonyi, said the visit was part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen Sino-Kenya cooperation in wildlife conservation.

"Today's visit by Chinese officials is part of our continuous engagement with Beijing on issues that promote conservation of wildlife species. We sought to deepen this cooperation in today's discussion with Chinese colleagues," said Wanyonyi.

KWS in 2013 signed a memorandum of understanding with China's State Forestry Administration and since then delegations from both sides have been meeting under an exchange program.

In April 2015, senior KWS officials visited China and held discussions with Chinese officials over the strengthening of collaboration in areas of mutual interests.

"At our meeting last year with Chinese officials, we agreed to enhance sharing of best practices on wildlife conservation," Wanyonyi said, adding China has been successful in Panda conservation and the experience can be applied in conservation of African flagship species.

Kenya has recorded an 80 percent reduction in poaching for the last three years thanks to robust partnership with countries like China in fields such as enhanced surveillance at the parks and ports of entry. Endit