By CYRUS OMBATI NAIROBI, KENYA: The government has warned it may take over the running of private wildlife sanctuary operations over rising security breaches. Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural resources Dr Richard Lesiyampe’s warning follows the killing of a male black rhino at the Ol Pejeta conservancy in Laikipia County over the weekend drawing criticism. Speaking at Nakumatt Mega during the launch of a joint consumer awareness and sales drive between the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Nakumatt Holdings, Coca-Cola, P&G and Nestle, dubbed “Go Wild”, Dr Lesiyampe assured that the government is handling the matter with the seriousness it deserves. In a speech read on his behalf by the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS), Deputy Director In charge of Wildlife Conservation, Mr Patrick Omondi, Lesiyampe confirmed that the government has directed KWS to step in and provide enhanced security at any game sanctuary deemed to require such support. “The killing of a Black rhino bull at Ol Pejeta Conservancy last weekend is a matter of great concern. We are taking the matter very seriously and I am glad that three suspects have already been charged in court,” Dr Lesiyampe said. See also: Precious black rhino falls to poachers in daring daylight attack “Beyond this incident, the ministry has embarked on an urgent review of security and related matters at all Private Game reserves. We are fully aware that poaching is not a preserve of private conservancies, but we are also distressed at the rising cases in these facilities.” Dr Lesiyampe explained that security and related resources will be mobilized from all national security agencies. “We are moving with speed to provide such support to ensure round the clock surveillance and related resources are provided through the ground security forces including the regular and administration police,” he said. “We have also stepped up intelligence gathering and security enforcement. Any unscrupulous persons found within the precincts of any protected reserve handling endangered wildlife species will be, dealt with firmly,” he added. The sanctuaries are in hands of individuals and groups in various parts of the country. In the ongoing campaign, Nakumatt Holdings boss Thiagarajan Ramamurthy disclosed that 10 percent of sales from selected Coca-Cola, Nestle and P&G products will be donated to Ol Pejeta Conservancy to boost wildlife conservation efforts at the private sanctuary. GO TO PAGE 1 2 Next » NEXT STORY » Kenya receives Sh42b from Global Fund to fight diseases Read More... inShare Read more at: standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000107239&story_title=government-ponders-taking-over-private-wildlife-sanctuaries
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 03:39:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015