Kenya's private sector urged to support conservation efforts

Wildlife conservationists on Friday urged Kenya's private sector to support the country's wildlife conservation efforts.

Africans for Elephants Founder Akinyi Adongo told a media briefing in Nairobi that the level of support from the private sector is very low.

"There is a feeling that the private sector is not doing enough to support wildlife conservation efforts," Adongo said.

"A lot of people globally feel that we as Africans are not doing much to control poaching," said Adongo during a ceremony where Crown Paints donated 10,000 U.S. dollars to the Walk with Rangers Initiative. Adongo noted that the private sector can help Kenya achieve zero poaching levels.

"The current anti-poaching campaign can receive a boost through donations in cash and kind from the private sector," she said. She noted that wildlife conservation efforts are largely funded by external donors.

"However, this source of funding is not sustainable given the global financial slow down," she added.

According to the Africa for Elephants, the private sector should plough back some of its profits into wildlife conservation efforts. "Wildlife is the backbone of Kenya's tourism industry, which is a significant contributor to the economy," she noted.

Walk with Rangers Initiative Founder Raabia Hawa said there are many organizations doing important conservation work but are underfunded.

"So we are asking the private sector to channel some of their resources to these organization in order to enhance the country's conservation efforts," Hawa said.

She noted that wildlife conservation efforts can be boosted if rangers' work conditions are improved.

"Currently they are not well compensated compared to the value they provide to the country," Hawa said.

"Many spend up to 11 months a year away from their families due to the nature of the jobs," she added.

The conservationist noted that rangers put their life on the line for endangered wildlife species for very little compensation. Endit