NAIROBI (Xinhua) --
Wildlife campaigners in Kenya on Saturday
embarked on a 617 kilometers walk that will cover nine counties
to raise awareness on threats to elephants and other iconic
mammals.Speaking at the flagging off ceremony for the
walk that will cover 31 days, Jim Nyamu, the Executive Director
of Nairobi-based conservation group, Elephants Neighbors Centre
(ENC), said grassroots led campaigns are key to strengthen
protection of the giant mammals.
"We are embarking on a new journey to educate communities and
every other stakeholder on the need to protect our elephants
that are facing multiple threats," said Nyamu. The walk will end
in the northern county of Marsabit in early May.
Nyamu and other conservationists will participate in the
Ivory Belongs to Elephants Nairobi to Marsabit (northern Kenya)
walk to revive public awareness on the plight of the giant
mammals that are part of Kenya’s heritage.
"Elephants are not only a treasured wildlife species but are
a symbol of our heritage and pride. We cannot therefore remain
complacent when these giant mammals are at risk of extinction
due to action of man," Nyamu said.
The conservationist has covered a distance of 9,840
kilometers to raise awareness on elephant poaching in Kenya and
the region.
Kenya’s wildlife agency has partnered with conservation
groups to strengthen elephants protection through enhanced
policing, public awareness and legal enforcement.
Julius Kimani, a senior official at Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS),
said that community-led initiatives have transformed elephants
conservation in the country.
"The government recognizes the critical role of communities
and civil society to re-energize the war against poaching and
other crimes that pose serious threat to our elephants," Kimani
said.
He noted that aggressive public awareness, law enforcement
and adoption of technology have led to a drastic reduction of
poaching in the last two years.