Wildlife News

[The Star]MPs will today be requested to approve an emergency amendment to the Wildlife Act. The ammendement raises penalties for killing elephants to up to 15 years in jail and/or a fine of Sh10 million. These penalties are equivalent to those under the Economic Crimes Act, the Organised Crime Act and the Anti-Terrorism Crime Act.

[New Vision]United Nations -Armed groups in central Africa are using powerful weapons, some of which may be left over from the civil war in Libya, to kill elephants for their ivory, the United Nations said on Monday.

[SA Info]"Rhino horn is made of the same stuff as human nails. Still want some?" Conservation organisations WWF and TRAFFIC, as part of their campaign against the illegal wildlife trade, are running a series of myth-busting adverts aimed at encouraging Vietnamese citizens to stop buying or consuming rhino horn.

[ThinkAfricaPress]With the number of rhinos poached increasing despite government efforts, could legalising the trade in rhino horn solve the problem?

[Daily Observer]The people of West Coast Region (WCR) Thursday launched the National Agricultural Land and Water Management Development Project (NEMA) at a ceremony held at the Regional Education Office in Brikama. The project seeks to empower rural women and youths through poverty reduction.

[The Star]Poachers will serve a jail term of not less than 15 years if President Uhuru Kenyatta agrees to a KWS proposal. Officials are calling for a review of the current jail term so as to help curb the poaching menace. Spokesman Paul Mbugua says the current penalty is too lenient.

[The Star]A rare species of antelope in the country is facing extinction, a conservation group has warned. The World Wide Fund has warned that the Sable antelope, only found at Shimba Hills National Reserve will be extinct if no action is taken.

[State Department]Washington -The sentencing May 15 of two California businessmen in Los Angeles for trafficking in rhino horn will send both to prison and ensure that $800,000 of their illegally acquired "profits" end up helping protect rhinos in Africa.

[The Star]When we were learning about animals and animal behaviours, we were told that there are animals that lived by night and those that lived during the day.

[The Star]THE Kenya Wildlife Service director William Kiprono said his agency's community rangers will be issued with firearms because poachers are using advanced weapons.

[The Star]Two children were yesterday attacked by a buffalo in Talek on the outskirts of Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Narok. The two were leaving school when the attack happened and they sustained broken legs and limbs. They are admitted at Kijabe Mission Hospital after being referred from Narok District Hospital.

[The Star]With the recent heavy rains, although the park was very wet and muddy, it has been possible to see more of creatures that are not normally seen.

[New Era]The loss and degradation of natural habitats is blamed for threatening migratory birds and pushing these bird species towards possible extinction.

[Daily News]Longido -FOUR men have been admitted to hospital in critical condition after they were attacked by a lioness in Longido District at the weekend.

[The Star]Buffaloes yesterday invaded an IDP camp in Gilgil destroying property and leaving families in fear. The wild animals have turned Kirathimo camp near Marura sanctuary a no-gone zone.

[UN News]Eight countries identified as being the most affected by the illegal trade in elephant ivory have submitted national action plans to the United Nations-backed treaty for the conservation of endangered species containing measures to combat the scourge.

[Daily News]GOVERNMENT is collecting views from wildlife stakeholders on the establishment of the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA).

[Daily Trust]Jos -In a ceremony described as the first of its kind in Africa, the National Zoological Garden, Jos organised a special 50th birthday party for two chimpanzees Bobby and Paulina last week.

[The Star]More than 300 beach operators in Watamu yesterday protested against harassment by Kenya Wildlife Service warden. They said their businesses have been affected.

[The Star]LAKE Nakuru senior Park Warden John Wambua has raised an alarm over the increasing number of buffaloes at the park which stand at 4,800.