SWARA 2020-2

SELOUS GAME RESERVE A HYDROPOWER DAM THREAT TO ECOSYSTEM IN TANZANIA HIROLA A LIFESTYLE INTERTWINING ANTELOPE SEX AND DEATH SAVING THE ENDANGERED ANTELOPE IN KENYA UGANDAN CRANE COMMUNITY CONSERVATION OF UGANDA’S FAVOURITE BIRD



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FRONTLINE 29 John Kiptum and Serah Munguti discuss how to 05 Director’s Letter tackle the menace of birds being killed in collisions 06 News Update with power transmission lines. 07 Chairperson's Letter 33 Felix Patton argues that recognising the economic OPINION value of wildlife tourism will invigorate the fight 19 Kaddu Sebunya makes an impassioned plea against illegal wildlife trade. for Africans and their leaders to be engaged in 37 Tanzania dismisses criticism and goes ahead to build conservation a hydropower dam in the Selous Game Reserve, as Rupi Mangat reports. CONSERVATION 22 Wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC looks 41 Laly Lichtenfeld explains how local communities are protecting biodiversity in northern Tanzania. into the possible link between coronavirus and wildlife trade. 25 Sophie Harrison highlights the work of an indigenous Kenyan community conserving the hirola, the most endangered antelope. 4 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

46 Does Uganda have a wildlife trafficking problem? PORTFOLIO Curtis Abraham explains. 71 Delta Willis profiles Ugandan wildlife artist Taga Nuwagaba. 50 Richard Muir argues that Eucalyptus plantations could be a financial boon for schools. BOOK REVIEW 77 Rupi Mangat tells us what the New Checklist of the BIODIVERSITY 53 For the African monarch butterfly, sex and death are Birds of Kenya has to offer. intertwined, as Ian Gordon, Dino Matins and 79 Rupert Watson reviews Edmund Battow’s Our Steve Collins explain. Future in Nature: Trees, Spirituality and Ecology. 58 Fredrick Mugira reports on incentives to REAR WINDOW communities that have boosted the conservation of 80 Savannah and Forest Elephants: Two Species or One? the Grey Crowned Crane in Uganda. Katharine Abernethy summarises a research 62 Cynthia Moss pays tribute to Tim, the magnificent paper published in the latest issue of African Journal Kenyan male elephant. of Ecology. SCIENCE & RESEARCH 65 Christiaan Kooyman explains how bio-pesticides work in the control of desert locusts. PADDOCK DIARIES 68 A bat is the new lodger in Brian Finch’s paddock, even as old friends stay away. APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 5

COVER PHOTO BY Otekat John Emily The Impala is the symbol of the East Matt Walpole African Wild Life Society. SWARA is the DINO J. MARTINS Michael Wamithi Elizabeth Migongo-Bake Swahili word for Antelope EDITOR John Nyaga EAWLS MISSION The East African Wild Life Society [email protected] The East African Wild Life Society is a trailblazing conservation organisation @eawildlife EDITORIAL BOARD dedicated to helping protect the Nigel Hunter environment and promoting prudent WHY SUPPORT US William Pike use of natural resources in the region. Lucy Waruingi The Society carries out its mandate East Africa is rich in plant and Delta Willis mainly through advocacy, implementing animal biodiversity. A partnership Irene Amoke conservation programmes, supporting with the East African Wild field research, advancing environmental Life Society is a great way for DESIGN & LAYOUT education, promoting sustainable individuals and organisations to George Okello development and inspiring people help conserve the region’s iconic through vibrant events on wildlife and species. Your contribution will help CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS environmental conservation. restore and safeguard habitats, Rose Chemweno including forests and wetland EAWLS WORLDWIDE ecosystems; protect wildlife ADVERTISING & SALES REPRESENTATIVES and marine life while promoting Gideon Bett USA sustainable use of natural Mr & Mrs Harry Ewell resources for the benefit of current PATRONS Financial Representatives and future generations. Nature The President of Keny­ a 200 Lyell Avenue Spencerport sustains livelihoods and forms the The President of Tan­zan­ ia NY 14559-1839 foundation on which our economies The President of Ugand­ a thrive. Your membership offers Grant Winther you tangible benefits and allows CHAIRPERSON 867 Taurnic Pl. NW Bainbridge Island, you to participate in impactful Elizabeth Gitari WA 98110 programmes while benefiting from the visibility that the partnership VICE-CHAIRPERSON UNITED KINGDOM (UK) affords. Cissy Walker Nigel Winser The Old Forge, Brook End, Chadlington, Copyright © 2020 HON. TREASURER Oxfordshire. OX7 3NF (01608 676 042) SWARA is a quarterly magazine owned Davinder Sikand UK mobile - 07495 469941 and pub­lished by the East African Wild [email protected] Life Soc­ ie­ ­ty, a non-profi­ t mak­ing EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR or­gani­sat­ion formed in 1961. Views Nancy Ogonje NETHERLANDS expressed in this magazine are not Stichting EAWLS necessarily the views of the publishers. BOARD MEMBERS Ridderhoflaan 37 2396 C J Koudekerk No part of this publication may be Davinder Sikand A/D RIJN reproduced by any means whatsoever William Pike without the written consent of the editor. SWITZERLAND Opin­ions exp­ ressed by con­tribu­ ­tors are 6 | AP6R| ILAP-RJIULN-EJ2U0N2E0 2020 Bernhard Sorgen not nec­ess­ ari­­ly the official view of the Erlenweg 30 8302 Kloten Society. SWARA acc­ epts the in­form­ a­tion given by cont­rib­ut­ors as correct. FINLAND, SWEDEN & NORWAY Roseanna Avento SWARA appreciates the continued [email protected] support it receives from Fauna & Flora +358405355405 International AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY The African Journal of Ecology is Published by Wiley – Blackwell in association with East African Wild Life Society. Purchase a copy of this Journal at Wiley Online Library: wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/aje SWARA OFFICES EAWLS Head Office P O Box 20110 – 00200, Riara Road, Kilimani, Nairobi Tel: + 254-(0) 20-3874145 + 254 (0) 20 3871437 + 254 (0) 722 202 473 + 254 (0) 734 600 632

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Coronavirus And The Impact On Human Health And Wildlife Conservation As the world reels from the fast-spreading consumption, we who advocate for the conservation COVID-19 virus, the international of biodiversity hope that people will stand up and community needs to pay closer attention take notice. Many of the species trafficked for human to what role trade in wildlife, much of it consumption are classified as either threatened illegal, could have played in the transmission of this or endangered. They are certainly better off left coronavirus. undisturbed to thrive in their habitats where they present little risk to human health. Some researchers in China, the epicentre of COVID-19 outbreak, have suggested that pangolins A number of studies have linked reduced diversity are the probable intermediate host species for the among mammal species and an overall decrease in coronavirus. Many Chinese view pangolins as an biodiversity to a rise in animal-borne diseases to important source of medicine and food. The meat is humans. consumed as a luxury food item while the scales are used in traditional Chinese medicine. As a result, In 2014, researchers from the Smithsonian Institute tens of thousands of pangolins are killed each year in the United States reported that they had observed and have been declared the world’s most trafficked a connection between declining populations of large animals. They are well on their way to extinction. wildlife and increases in zoonotic diseases (illnesses that can be passed on from animal to humans) across While there has not been conclusive evidence to the globe. confirm that the current coronavirus epidemic is the result of human contact with pangolins, mankind In their findings, published in the April 2014 issue of would be well-advised to reconsider some of its more the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reckless and avaricious use of wild animals. the researchers learned that in East Africa, a decrease in the number of large wildlife was associated with a Fortunately, the speed at which the COVID-19 substantial increase in rodent populations. Rodents disease has spread seems to have jolted the Chinese can harbour bacteria that cause disease in humans. authorities into action. A ban on the consumption of wildlife products and a prohibition of trade in Isn’t time we looked more closely into the human wild animal species was announced on February 24. health dimension of wildlife and environmental The move followed the shutting down of live animal conservation? And that we take more serious steps to markets, where the coronavirus, SARS and avian flu shut down the illegal trade in wildlife? are thought to have jumped from animals to humans. The big question here however remains; how will the Nancy Ogonje Chinese change their culture and long-established habit of consuming wildlife for food and traditional Executive Director, medicine. East African Wild Life Society China is, of course, not the only place where the consumption of wildlife poses a threat to human health. According to a study published in December 2019, people who eat wildebeests, warthogs and other wild African animals may be at risk for contracting potentially life-threatening diseases. A team of researchers from Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University in the United States analysed samples of bushmeat in the Western Serengeti area in Tanzania and identified several groups of bacteria, many of which contain the species that cause diseases such as anthrax, brucellosis and Q fever. The voices of conservationists crying in the wilderness have, perhaps, largely been ignored because they extoll the virtues of preserving wildlife for aesthetic reasons in a world where Earth’s natural endowments, animals included, are seen as resources to be exploited for the material gratification of human beings. Now that the COVID-19 pandemic has once again thrown light on the health risks of wildlife APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 7

NEWS ROUND-UP Livestock Threaten Wild Black Rhino Population Increasing Slowly Herbivores in Kenya The African black Rhino remains Critically Endangered, but its population is slowly The number of wild herbivore species increasing as conservation efforts counter the persistent threat of poaching, in Laikipia County in central Kenya according to a March update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Between decreased drastically as livestock 2012 and 2018, the black rhino (Diceros bicornis) population across Africa has numbers increased, according to grown at a modest annual rate of 2.5 per cent from an estimated 4,845 to 5,630 a new study. At higher stocking animals in the wild. rates, livestock outcompetes wildlife for space, forage and water. China Bans Wildlife However, ecosystem benefits, such Consumption to Combat as maintaining pasture quality and Coronavirus vegetation diversity, have been shown to increase when livestock are kept China in February imposed at moderate densities, according to a complete ban on the the Biological Conservation study consumption of wildlife and published in March. The research vowed to crackdown on trade in revealed that whether wild herbivore prohibited species as the country species thrive or decline in Laikipia steps up efforts to combat is linked mainly to the abundance of the spread of the coronavirus livestock in the region. (COVID-19) disease. Researchers in China suggest that pangolins are the probable intermediate host species for the fast- spreading coronavirus outbreak. Grauer’s Gorilla In DR Congo Poachers Kill Rare White Kenya Bans Donkey Slaughter Giraffes In Kenya The Grauer’s gorilla, a lowland sub- Poachers in February killed two rare Kenya’s Agriculture Minister has species of the Eastern gorilla group white giraffes – a female and its calf banned the commercial slaughter of that also includes mountain gorillas, – at the Ishaqbini Hirola Community donkeys after farmers complained of has suffered massive population Conservancy in Kenya’s Garissa losing their animals in large numbers declines over the past two decades. County. Conservancy manager to thieves who sold them to abattoirs Their numbers plummeted from an Mohammed Ahmednoor said that that process donkey meat and hide for estimated 16,900 in the early 1990s only skeletons of the animals had export to China. In China, donkey skins to 3,800 by 2016. However, recent been found after a long search. are used to make medicinal gelatin. investigations have found evidence Experts have explained that the that their population numbers are white giraffes have a condition much higher than previously thought. known as leucism, which results in Ongoing surveys of Grauer’s gorillas the partial loss of the pigmentation in an area between Kahuzi and Maiko of the giraffe’s original colour. National Parks in eastern DRC found approximately 40 gorillas in just 1 per cent of the entire park. 8 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

FROM THE CHAIRPERSON, BOARD OF THE EAST AFRICAN WILD LIFE SOCIETY Keeping Hope Alive On World Wildlife Day, United Nations January, compared to the same period last year. Secretary-General, António Guterres, Various reports have shown notable improvements made what I consider to be one of the in nature as a result of drastically improved human most profound statements this year. activities on the planet. Noting that “humanity is weaved into the rich tapestry of life that makes up our world’s biological Despite these wonderful illustrations of what diversity.” He advocated for “a more caring, scientists have known for decades – that it is thoughtful and sustainable relationship with possible to reverse climate change based purely on nature.” a change of human behaviour – how we got here is not an ideal route, even from an environmental Given that 2020 has been declared the perspective. The gains made, are most assuredly “biodiversity super year!” the East African Wild short-term at best. Life Society is committed to supporting global efforts in ensuring that all life on earth thrives So what can we do? We can learn, from these sustainably. This year has started with the world practical examples and be unrelenting advocates facing a global pandemic in what we now know for nature’s protection. We can use the time in as the COVID-19 virus. Life across the world is social isolation to reflect on our habits at home or grinding to a halt as country after country initiates at the workplace that contribute to the avoidable of sector-wide lockdowns in a bid to manage and stop negative environmental impacts. And lastly, we can the spread of the virus. Since time immemorial, commit to doing our part in ensuring that 2020 is, we have seen man look out for his interests before indeed, the biodiversity super year. considering the effects of his actions on our natural heritage. Elizabeth Gitari-Mitaru Chairperson of the Board of the Unfortunately, conservationists and East African Wild Life Society conservation organisations across the world have had to pull back both human and natural resources from critical programmes in a bid to play their part in curbing the spread of the virus. Here in Kenya for example, we have seen the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust suspend all orphanage visits, a critical source of their conservation funding. We have also seen smaller community conservation organisations heed the government’s advisory to restrict large gatherings of people, thereby seeing the number of sensitization and conservation education programmes slow down as well as critical funding streams such as low impact eco- tourism enterprises like walking and cultural safaris. Kenya will have to contend in the coming months with more stringent lockdown directives in the wake of this pandemic. However, there is a silver lining in these dark times. Shortly after the world started to shut down, there were verified positive unexpected changes around the planet. In Venice for example, the frequently murky canals recently began to get clearer, with fish visible in the water. Additionally, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air in Finland, the restrictions contributed to a 25 per cent drop in China's carbon dioxide emissions over four weeks beginning in late APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 9

NEWS ROUND-UP International Day of Forests On the International Day of Forests, marked on March 21, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for 2020, to be the year that the world turns the tide on deforestation and forestry loss. The 2020 International Day highlighted the connections between forests and biodiversity, following a 2019 UN report that sounded the alarm about accelerating species extinction rates, and the unprecedented speed at which ecosystems are declining. Given the huge role that forests play in preserving life on Earth and regulating the climate, Guterres expressed his alarm at the damage being wrought by drought conditions in many parts of the world, citing devastating forest fires, from the Canadian Arctic and Siberia to California and Australia. Population of Lions Lose Much Biodiversity Loss Hurts Ability to Combat Pandemics of Genetic Diversity The frequency of disease outbreaks has been increasing steadily. A number One of Africa’s last major lion of trends have contributed to this rise, but the links to climate change and strongholds has experienced a biodiversity are the most striking. Deforestation has increased steadily over significant decline in its genetic the past two decades and is linked to 31 per cent of outbreaks such as Ebola, diversity since the end of the 19th Zika and Nipah viruses. Deforestation drives wild animals out of their natural century, leaving the animals more habitats and closer to human populations, creating a greater opportunity for vulnerable to future threats. For the zoonotic diseases – that is, diseases that spread from animals to humans. first time, researchers looked at how the genetic diversity of African Saving The Roan Antelope lions (Panthera leo) has changed in Kenya over time. They discovered that the Roan antelopes are Africa’s second diversity of the population in the largest antelope species. Their Kavango-Zambezi conservation populations are stable and growing area, a region that includes parts of in some African countries, but Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia in others – like Kenya – they’re and Zimbabwe, has fallen by up to 17 threatened with extinction. To per cent since 1895. address this, the Kenya Wildlife Service is launching a recovery plan. 10 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

Elephants Key to NEWS ROUND-UP Savannah Management As wild herbivores are increasingly Peatland Conservation displaced by cattle in the African A blueprint for how countries savannah, a new research paper can keep carbon in fragile has shown that the livestock only land-based carbon sinks lead to the degradation of the soil to reduce greenhouse gas while the presence of elephants emissions has been unveiled does the reverse. Cows drop their by the United Nations Food dung at night when they are kept and Agriculture Organization fenced-in to protect them from (FAO). Launched on March 18, lions. This impoverishes the soil, the guidelines for peatland which reduces the productivity mapping and conservation and quality of the grass. However, come as around 15 per cent when elephants are present, of the world's peatlands have this soil depletion does not already been drained mainly occur. The soil is even enriched, for cropping, grazing, forestry according to the new research and extraction. Hotspots of by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel peatland degradation are in collaboration with the Mpala located especially in Europe, Research Centre in Kenya. Russia and Northern America, southeast Asia, East Africa and the Amazon basin. APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 11

NEWS ROUND-UP Attenborough Urges Halt to Deep Sea Mining Plans Sir David Attenborough has urged countries to halt plans to mine the deep sea following the publication of a new report from Fauna & Flora International (FFI) that warns deep sea mining could cause significant loss of biodiversity, disruption of the ocean’s life- support systems and its carbon storage function. The report – The Risks and Impacts of Deep Seabed Mining to Marine Ecosystems – has been drafted by scientists at FFI and is the first to comprehensively assess the risks and potential impacts of mining the deep seabed for minerals. Its publication comes ahead of a July meeting of key countries hoping to finalise the rules that will govern deep sea mining. Minerals that can be found on the seabed are in increasingly high demand for use in technological appliances and equipment such as mobile phones and batteries. Plastic Pollution in Our Environment Drones to Help Prevent Poaching While organisations, scientists, governments and activists from around the Drones could help to combat the world debate on how to save the planet from plastic waste, how can they poaching of rhinos and elephants really begin to solve this issue when we have no facts about where exactly the in southern Africa. The technology pollution is or who is responsible? Plastics are among the most ubiquitous can deter the animals from entering materials in our environment, they are also among the most pervasive and areas of national parks and reserves persistent pollutants on Earth. If growth continues on its present trajectory, where the poaching risk is high. plastic production, could create 56bn metric tons in cumulative greenhouse Efforts to combat poaching have emissions by 2050 – consuming a staggering 13% of the Earth’s entire traditionally relied on expensive remaining carbon budget. options such as vehicle and foot patrols, which put a financial strain on the reserves and parks that are home to rhinos. Coronavirus and Wildlife Trade South Africa to Promote The origin of the coronavirus is still Wildlife Consumption unclear but appears to have a strong South Africa is turning towards likelihood of connection to the trade of the implementation of new laws wild animals. In terms of virus origin, the that fully allows the economic likely natural animal for coronaviruses exploitation of wildlife. The are pangolins. Coronaviruses are known intention is to market the use to be widespread in bat populations of all kinds of wild species, within China. As recently as March 2019, including giraffes, zebras, a team of virologists in Wuhan published emu, and duikers, in order to a paper highlighting the occurrence of produce cheap meat. However, coronaviruses in bats and commented the current coronavirus crisis that it was “highly likely that future SARS shows this can be a public – or MERS – like coronavirus outbreaks health, economic and ecological will originate from bats, and there is an disaster. increased probability that this will occur in China”. 12 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

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NEWS ROUND-UP Study Finds That Sea Turtles Might be Eating Plastic Western Lowland Gorillas Because it Smells Like Food May be Territorial, A New It’s suspected that the way plastic looks might be one of its attractive features Study Finds for marine species — for example, a plastic bag floating in the ocean might Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla be mistaken for a tasty jellyfish by a hungry turtle. A study published in the gorilla gorilla) may be avoiding journal Current Biology might point to another answer, at least when it comes their neighbors, according to a new to sea turtles. After as little as seven days in the ocean, plastic particles study that presents evidence of become so coated with algae and other microorganisms that they begin to territoriality among gorilla groups in smell like food. the Republic of Congo. Using large- scale camera trapping, researchers observed eight groups of gorillas across a 60-square-kilometer area in their dense forest habitat. The images revealed that groups avoided one another. Groups also stayed away from the central area of each other’s home ranges — evidence that western lowland gorillas may be more territorial than previously thought. Coronavirus: 'Nature is Sending Hooded Vultures 'On Brink East Africa’s Reefs Being Us A Message’, Says UN Of Extinction' in Africa After Fished at Unsustainable Environment Chief Mass Poisoning Rates, Study Finds Nature is sending us a message with Nearly 1,000 hooded vultures have Fish populations in coral reefs off the coronavirus pandemic and the died in a mass poisoning in Guinea- Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique ongoing climate crisis, according to Bissau, pushing the endangered are being harvested at unsustainable the UN’s Environment Chief, Inger species towards the brink of rates, new research has found. Andersen. Andersen said humanity extinction in Africa, according to In the study published in the journal was placing too many pressures on conservationists. Vultures were seen Marine Ecology Progress Series, the natural world with damaging apparently searching for water and 38% of the coral reefs they surveyed consequences, and warned that “bubbling from their beaks”, and in the region had fish stocks below failing to take care of the planet hundreds were found dead on the sustainable levels. When sampling meant not taking care of ourselves. outskirts of two towns, Bafatá and bias was accounted for, they Gabú, which are 30 miles apart, over estimated that 70% of the region’s the past two weeks. The poisoning is coral reefs have been fished to below the biggest mass death of vultures sustainable levels. for more than a decade, according to the Vulture Conservation Foundation. 14 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

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Become a Member The East African Wild Life Society (EAWLS) is the oldest conservation organisation in East Africa working towards enhancing the conservation and wise use of the environment and natural resources for the benefits of current and future generations. By supporting EAWLS, you will be supporting our conservation and advocacy teams’ mission to safeguard, protect and conserve the habitat and wildlife. As a member of EAWLS you will be part of an organisation that uses its experience, influence, reputation and respected voice to ensure that there is sound governance of our natural heritage for the good of all. Categories of Membership & Annual Rates EAWLS Membership is available for both corporates and individuals and we have special rates for families and students. As a member of EAWLS you are entitled to free copies of the Swara Magazine and discounted rates on events and merchandise. The different categories of membership have different annual rates. For more information visit: www.eawildlife.org or write to our membership officer at [email protected] Mobile: +254 (0) 722 202 473 / +254 (0) 734 600632 Tel: +254 20 3874145 / +254 20 3871437 Please make me a member of the EAST AFRICAN WILD LIFE SOCIETY today and send me copies of SWARA magazine every quarter My Membership category: (Tick box) Corporate Individual Student My location: Country: Name (Please print) Address: Email: Postal code: Enclosed is my cheque for made payable to the EAST AFRICAN WILD LIFE SOCIETY Please debit my credit card for No. VISA MASTERCARD Expiry date: Tel: Date: Signature: *Please quote seven (7) digit security number at the back of your card FOR ONLINE PAYMENTS: Use this link: www.eawildlife.org/join/payonline MPESA: Pay bill Number: 502300, Enter \"NEW' for new members under the account number on the paybill option Cheques: Be made payable to: East African Wild Life Society Completed forms with cheque payments to be made to East African Wild Life Society, P.O.Box 20110, 00200, Nairobi, Kenya Important for overseas menbers: Completed forms with payments must for security reasons be sent c/o one of these representatives: USA: EAWLS c/o Harry and Carol Ewel, 200 Lyell Avenue - Speceport NY 14559 - 1839 USA EUROPE: EUROPE: c/o Fauna & Flora International, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ THE NETHERLANDS: EAWLS c/o Johan Elzenga Stichting EAWLS Nederland Ridderhoflaan 372396 CJ Koudekerk a/d Rijn 16 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

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ACACIA ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS LTD IDEAL TOURS AND TRAVEL OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY AFRICAN CONSERVATION CENTRE INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR ORIGINS SAFARIS AFRICAN QUEST SAFARIS ANIMAL WELFARE AFRICAN SAFARI COMPANY JAMES FINLAY (KENYA) LTD PEAK EAST AFRICA LTD AFRICAN WILD LIFE FOUNDATION JOSTEIN NORDSTROM POLLMAN’S TOURS & SAFARIS LTD AFRICA HOUSE SAFARIS JUJA PREPARATORY SCHOOL RED LANDS ROSES LTD AIR TRAVEL AND RELATED ROBIN HURT SAFARIS (K) LTD ANNE KENT TAYLOR KAREN GABLES RONDO RETREAT CENTRE ASHNIL HOTELS KENYA FORESTRY RESEARCH ASILIA KENYA LTD INSTITUTE SAFE RIDE TOURS AND SAFARIS ATUA ENKOP AFRICA LTD KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE LTD SAFARIS UNLIMITED AUTOGRAPH SAFARIS KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE INSTITUTE SARUNI SAFARI CAMP KENYA COMFORT HOTEL SATAO CAMP BARTKUS, JOHN /HOTEL SUITES SATAO ELERAI LIMITED BARNES D G KER & DOWNEY SAFARIS LTD SEIYA LTD BASECAMP EXPLORER KIBO SLOPES SAFARIS LTD SOLIO RANCH LTD BORANA RANCH KIBO AFRICA LTD SOMAK TRAVEL LTD BUSH AND BEYOND KICHECHE MARA CAMP SOPA LODGES KENYA KILIMA CAMP SOUTHERN CROSS SAFARIS LTD CAMP KENYA LTD SOSIAN LODGE CENTRE FOR WILDLIFE MGT. LAIKIPIA WILDLIFE FORUM SIRAI MANAGEMENT LTD STUDIES LAFARGE ECO SYSTEMS SIRIKOI LTD CHEMICALS & SOLVENTS (EA) LTD LET’S GO TOURS (SWITZERLAND) SOUTHERN SUN MAYFAIR NAIROBI COTTARS CAMP LLOYD MASIKA LTD STRATHMORE LAW SCHOOL LET’S GO TRAVEL SUNRISE OF AFRICA SCHOOL DIANI BEACHALETS (2003) LTD LUCA SAFARIS SWEDISH SCHOOL DISCOVER KENYA SAFARIS MALIBA PHARMACY LIMITED TAWI LODGE ELEWANA MAHALI MZURI MANAGEMENT LTD TAMARIND MANAGEMENT EL KARAMA TOURISM & MARA-MERU CHEETAH PROJECT THE CRADLE TENTED CAMP WILDLIFE LIMITED MARA CONSERVATION FUND MASAI MARA WILDLIFE UNITED MILLERS LTD FINCH HATTONS LUXURY CONSERVANCIES ASSOCIATION UNGA GROUP LTD TENTED CAMP MICATO SAFARIS FOUR SEASONS SAFARI LODGE MINET KENYA INSURANCE VINTAGE AFRICA LTD SERENGETI (TZ) BROKERS LTD FRIENDS OF MAU WATERSHED MPALA RESEARCH CENTRE WETLANDS INTERNATIONAL (FOMAWA) MWEKA COLLEGE OF AFRICA WILDERNESS LODGES WILD LIFE MANAGEMENT (TZ) WILDLIFE SAFARI KENYA GAMEWATCHERS SAFARIS MUTHAIGA COUNTRY CLUB WILLIAMSON TEA (K) LTD GREAT PLAINS CONSERVATION LTD WILDERBEEST TRAVELS LTD NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT HARRY P EWELL MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY (NEMA) HERITAGE HOTELS NATURAL WORLD MOMBASA SAFARIS HIGHLIGHT TRAVEL LTD NAIBOR CAMPS HILLCREST INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS OFFBEAT SAFARIS LTD HOOPOE ADVENTURE TOURS TZ OLONANA APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 19

NEWS ROUND-UP EAWLS is Excited to Welcome the Following New Members KENYA An Unprecedented Locust Tanzania to Relocate 36 HARVINDER SINGH NANDHRA Invasion Tearing Through Kenya Serengeti Lions After Kenya is experiencing its worst Attacks on Humans And Cattle MARTIN WANDIE MBUGUA desert locust outbreak in 70 years, Tanzania will find a new home for 36 DAVID JOSIAH which has destroyed cropland and lions following a slew of attacks by exacerbated conflict over land use the big cats on people and cattle. The MICHAEL O'BRIEN-ONYEKA throughout the entire country. lions, an increasingly endangered ALYKHAN KESHAVJEE In general, locust outbreaks are species, live on the edge of the safari IRENE AMOKE expected to become more frequent mecca of the Serengeti National and severe under climate change. Park, but have been affected by USA As temperatures rise, desert locusts encroaching human activity. Eleven STEVEN FRANK can mature more rapidly and spread of the group have already been to higher elevations in regions that captured and will be taken to the are becoming more arid due to Burigi Chato National park. climate breakdown, which could have devastating impacts for farming communities across Africa. Coronavirus: Pangolins Found to Carry Related Strains Smuggled pangolins have been found to carry viruses closely related to the one sweeping the world. Scientists say the sale of the animals in wildlife markets should be strictly prohibited to minimise the risk of future outbreaks. Pangolins are the most-commonly illegally trafficked mammal, used both as food and in traditional medicine. In research published in the Journal Nature, researchers say handling these animals requires \"caution\". And they say further surveillance of wild pangolins is needed to understand their role in the risk of future transmission to humans. Two groups of coronaviruses related to the virus behind the human pandemic have been identified in Malayan pangolins smuggled into China, said lead researcher Dr Tommy Lam of The University of Hong Kong. 20 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

ADVOCACY A Call to All for All Wildlife For wildlife and wildlands to thrive in modern Africa, Africans need to be mobilized again to care for and take responsibility for them If you want to go quickly, go alone. If unconventional ways of thinking that started TOP you want to go far, go together. This spinning wheels in my brain and drove me Aerial view of is an African proverb that many have to where I am today, a thought-leader in Mkomazi National heard but few have stopped to think conservation and an advocate for Africa’s Park, located about how they can live in harmony. Harmony wildlife and wildlands. in northeastern within. Harmony with people. Harmony with Tanzania on the nature. This proverb speaks on the three As CEO of one of the largest conservation Kenyan border, in personas that need to be at the forefront of organisations focused solely on conservation Kilimanjaro Region our everyday work. Most would call it your in Africa, African Wildlife Foundation and Tanga Region. It purpose of living in a bid to make an impact. (AWF), I have had the chance to interact with was established as a So, at the end of this piece, I hope you will some African leaders who are passionate game reserve in 1951 have stopped severally to think through about Africa’s future and active in the and upgraded to a whether you have gone far, or you have gone implementation of their nation’s development National Park in 2006. too quick to even have a response. goals. These leaders are defining Africa’s development model, taking stock of her My conservation journey has been an rich natural resources and how they can be unconventional one. A great journey but leveraged to benefit her people, while also unconventional in so many ways. Having being preserved for future generations to hailed from Uganda, one of the most wildlife- enjoy. rich countries in Africa, I grew up loving animals. Not because I lived close to them Mostly, their focus is on human but because from a young age, I understood development often at the cost of conservation. that one’s character can easily be deduced This is driven by the false choice that Africa by how he treats animals. This is one of the can only develop first to conserve later - have one, not both. Africa is going through a transitional period that has put immense pressure on its leaders and its natural resources. The population is APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 21

OPINION For wildlife and wildlands to thrive in modern Africa, Africans need to be mobilized again to care for and take responsibility for them. TOP growing exponentially with official statistics – as investors not as donors. When wildlife As African Wildlife predicting that there will be 2.5 billion people and wildlands are recognised as essential Foundation’s CEO, living on the continent by 2050. As a result, ingredients to the development path, they are Kaddu rallies the the need for additional infrastructure, more protected and restored. continent’s elite to land for agriculture and human settlements lead the fight against cannot be ignored. Any organisation working Governments must spur tourism the destruction of in the conservation space cannot afford to enterprises to invest in protecting the wildlife valuable habitats and downplay these realities, and AWF is leading that is essential to camera-wielding clients. wildlife. the way in reimagining a modern Africa that Agribusinesses must invest in protecting exploits its developmental and economic catchment forests essential to their water potential without compromising its rich supplies. People living in wildlife-rich biodiversity. areas must have bright futures where the sustainable use of resources underpins growth For wildlife and wildlands to thrive in and opportunity in ways that maintain the modern Africa, Africans need to be mobilized integrity of nature. When nature is perceived again to care for and take responsibility for only as a burden on budget allocations and a them. Wildlife and wildlands in Africa must be barrier to development, it is exploited. an African-owned agenda. But how do we get there? First, we urgently need to consolidate It is without a doubt that Africa is now at African leadership for conservation and a crossroads. Development has shifted from mobilize action to strengthen governance over “handouts” to market-oriented strategies, the natural wealth of Africa’s 54 nations. driven by the fact that, since 1994, Africa has experienced the longest sustained period of Ultimately, the future of wildlife and growth since decolonization in the 1960s. wildlands in modern Africa hinges on its While grim news is still too common in relevance to the people and economies of pockets of the continent, Africa has never Africa. The role of the private sector is crucial been in a better place politically and our 22 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

leaders know. But what are you doing about partnerships that drive AWF’s mission, it is TOP it? Are we growing together, or we are moving vital that you walk with us and do your part Lake Manyara too quickly that we are forgetting the most however small it may seem. The international National Park is a essential industries that could be detrimental community has mobilized to support wildlife protected area in to human survival if ignored? I will leave you protection in Africa by setting up numerous Tanzania's Arusha to ponder on that for a while. Not too long projects and Community-Based Organisations and Manyara Regions, though just a little. Last year, AWF completed (CSOs). Hollywood celebrities have lined up to situated between our 10-year strategy that seeks to address champion the cause of elephants and rhinos. Lake Manyara and the these queries I have posed in this piece While this support is much appreciated, Great Rift Valley. securing the future of our wildlife rests with One of the key stakeholders in the us. At the end of the day, only we can dictate BELOW implementation of the new strategy are the pace and path of development. Mzima Spring Tsavo the youth. With 200 million Africans aged West National Park. between 15 and 24, they are no doubt a force KADDU K. SEBUNYA is the CEO Mzima Springs are a to be reckoned with. The youth have risen of African Wildlife Foundation. He series of four natural with several campaigns and organisations that has over 20 years’ experience in springs in Tsavo seek to hold the leaders accountable. But for conservation at grassroots, national, National Park, Kenya. them to be more successful, they do not need and regional levels in the USA, They are located in necessarily to care about animals first but to Africa, and Europe. the west of the Park, be selfish about preserving and rebuilding around 48 km from the natural architecture that will give them a Mtito Andei. good life. They become the custodians of their future. The world has had numerous goals, biodiversity action plans, protocols and guidelines that have little to no implementation. I applaud the young generation for standing up and saying that they will not sit around and wait to fix the problems their parents are causing. They want to save the planet and they are not asking for any permission to do it. As I continue to lead AWF’s engagements with external stakeholders to forge APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 23

CONSERVATION CoronavirusZOONOTICDISEASES and Wildlife Trade Both SARS and MERS outbreaks are considered to have originated in bat coronaviruses, which made the species jump to humans. The origin of the coronavirus is still was “highly likely that future SARS- or MERS- TOP unclear but appears to have a strong like coronavirus outbreaks will originate from A vendor sells bats likelihood of connection to the trade bats, and there is an increased probability that at the Tomohon meat of wild animals although potentially this will occur in China.” market in Sulawesi, any animal trade carries with it risk of Indonesia. Bat meat is zoonotic disease transmission, according to Earlier disease outbreaks, notably the still popular in some the wildlife monitoring network, TRAFFIC. SARS outbreak of 2002/2003 and the MERS parts of Indonesia, outbreak of 2013 are both considered to have despite research TRAFFIC believes there are vital lessons originated in bat coronaviruses, which made suggesting the for authorities to consider the management the species jump to humans via civets and coronavirus spreading of wildlife trade, including to reduce the camels respectively. from China might likelihood of further zoonotic threats. have originated in The World Health Organization in the early bats before being The precise source of the SARS-CoV-2 stages of the pandemic made a statement passed on to humans. virus is unknown at this stage. In terms that the virus was likely to have originated of geographic origin, the epicentre of the in bats and might have made the jump to outbreak is widely considered to be a seafood people via a currently unknown animal group. market in Wuhan in China known to have The presumed bat origin of SARS-CoV-2 has been selling wild animals. already been highlighted. In terms of virus origin, the likely natural However, the intermediate animal group animal “reservoirs” for coronaviruses are in the transmission chain is still open to bats, where they circulate with little impact on question, TRAFFIC noted. those animals themselves. Coronaviruses are known to be widespread in bat populations Currently, the prime focus is on pangolins, within China. As recently as March 2019, largely owing to a paper published in October a team of virologists in Wuhan published 2019 on the occurrence of coronavirus a paper highlighting the occurrence of infection in Malayan pangolins and a coronaviruses in bats and commented that it statement by researchers at the South China Agricultural University concerning their 24 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

CONSERVATION The new measures come amid growing public concern about the spread and impact of the coronavirus COVID-19 and the consumption of wild animals. TOP studies claiming to show the origins in The new measures come amid growing The pangolin was pangolins. However, their original claims have public concern about the spread and impact reported to be not stood up to scrutiny, although a Current of the coronavirus COVID-19 and the the most likely Biology paper describes the link as “probable”. consumption of wild animals. intermediate host from which humans Pangolins are therefore among the leading Specific measures, which have been contracted the novel candidates for the “intermediate” species in introduced with immediate effect, include coronavirus. The SARS-Cov-2’s evolution. – a ban on the consumption as a food of all pangolin-vector terrestrial wild animals from both wild and claim was made There are no clues as to where the transfer captive breeding sources; stricter enforcement public on Feb. 7 by from bats to the intermediate host [maybe of China’s Wild Animal Protection Law and researchers at South pangolins] may have taken place, but the other relevant legislation prohibiting the China Agricultural transfer from the intermediate host to people hunting, catching, trading, transporting and University who is believed to have taken place in a so-called eating of wild animals. said they found the “wet market” where live animals are sold. genome sequence These markets are not well-regulated and Others include defining which animals of the coronavirus often the conditions under which trade is qualify as being considered as livestock and separated from carried out are unsanitary, with people close poultry; defining the special circumstances pangolins to be to animals – the circumstances under which under which wild animals may be used for 99% identical to viruses are enabled to make the species jump purposes other than consumption as food, that collected from into people. such as for scientific research, medical infected people. use, and display; awareness campaigns Meanwhile, authorities in China have on ecological protection and public health announced tough new measures – including and safety; clarification of implementation an unprecedented ban on the consumption of of relevant legislation, and commitments wild animals as food – aimed at reducing the to implement the new measures, with risks to public health from infectious viruses appropriate assistance to producers impacted generated in association with poorly managed by the new measures. trade in wild animal species. APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 25

CONSERVATION Coronavirus and great apes “Because of our close genetic proximity, LEFT In a related development, Johannes Refisch, humans can transmit diseases to great apes, Great apes are our the United Nations Programme Manager and but humans can also contract diseases from closest relatives Coordinator who oversees the organization’s great apes. Again, Ebola exemplifies a case and the species that Great Apes Survival Partnership has in which both humans and great apes were makes up this group cautioned that infectious diseases such as affected. There is some evidence that hunters includes bonobos, COVID-19 are a major concern for great ape found carcasses of gorillas that had died of gorillas, orangutans conservation. Ebola in the forest, and contracted the disease and chimpanzees when they consumed infected meat.” — are endangered. Refisch explained that among humans, the We share about 98% SARS CoV-2 virus is highly infectious and Reducing the risk of our DNA with may survive in the environment for a few The International Union for Nature’s Primate chimpanzees and days and the assumption is that great apes are Specialist Group/Section on Great Apes and it seems, we have susceptible to infection. the Wildlife Health Specialist Group have another unfortunate published a joint statement, recommending similarity: our He noted that that the survival of great apes that “great ape visitations by humans are susceptibility to the is already threatened by habitat loss, illegal reduced to the minimum needed to ensure same respiratory hunting, and other diseases. He gave the the safety and health monitoring for the great illnesses. example of Ebola, a hemorrhagic fever that apes.” The Specialist Groups have emphasised affects both humans and great apes and has that strict adherence to best practices for great had a mortality rate of up to 95 per cent in ape tourism and disease prevention is critical. gorillas. The coronavirus would add to these challenges, according to Refisch. The Groups recommended that suspension of great ape tourism and reduction of field There would also be economic and research should be considered and called for livelihood losses associated with the mechanisms “to offset the loss of profit and coronavirus spreading to the animals. employment from tourism” and to support Great ape tourism is an important source of public health in local communities. As a employment, generates income for national result, as of 23 March 2020, the majority of governments and local communities, and gorilla tourism sites have been closed. produces the funds required to sustain conservation activities. Sources: TRAFFIC/UNEP Refisch also stressed that the risk of humans being infected by the great apes. 26 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

CONSERVATION COMMUNITY CONSERVATION Saving the Most Endangered Antelope in the World How an indigenous community has linked endangered species conservation to better livelihoods for people. At the end of the salt-licked Abdullah community in preventing their TOP promenade in the ancient Swahili silent extinction through community-led Hirolas are found town of Lamu in Kenya sits a conservation. on the border building of traditional Arabic between Kenya and architecture. Here, in his office, Isa Gedi flicks Isa Gedi is the Coast Regional Director Somalia. They inhabit through a series of images on his computer. for the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) seasonally flooded One after the other they show a deserted – an organisation established exclusively open grassland with water-hole at various times of the day, to support the community conservancy light bush, wooded surrounded by a few thorny trees. movement in Kenya, supported in turn by savannahs with low the United States Agency for International shrubs and scattered Triggered by a branch in the breeze, or Development (USAID), The Nature trees, most often on a flying insect perhaps, the motion-sensor Conservancy, Danish International sandy soils. camera had shot a whole lot of nothing. Then, Development Agency (DANIDA), the Isa stops clicking, arrested on an image of European Union and many others. Isa several large, horned antelope drinking from oversees NRT support to the seven coastal the water hole. member conservancies in Lamu, Lower Tana Delta and Garissa counties, including “This,” he says, “is the most endangered Ishaqbini, Ndera, Hanshak Nyongoro antelope on the planet – the hirola – and conservancies – most of which would have, very few people have ever heard of it”. at one time, been home to thriving hirola Even fewer, it would seem, have heard of populations. the huge part played by the indigenous Hirola – how did we get here? The hirola (Beatragus hunteri) is a large, APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 27

CONSERVATION The hirola is the only extant representative of an ancient phylogenetic lineage that originated approximately 3.1 million years ago. fawn-coloured antelope with white spectacle up critical support for the idea of a fenced The current markings around the eyes, and a stature hirola reserve to the building, staffing and population of most comparable to a topi or hartebeest, managing a full-fledged sanctuary, the story the hirola is though it is related to neither. The hirola of the unprecedented success of East Africa’s estimated at less is the only extant representative of an first-ever indigenous-run endangered species than 500. This ancient phylogenetic lineage that originated recovery programme is a case study for new- small population approximately 3.1 million years ago. And era African conservation. is found within there are just 400–500 left in the world. its native range, Ishaqbini now holds 20-25 per cent of the restricted to Disease, poaching, predation and regional world’s hirola population. Using conservation communal lands insecurity have all contributed to the hirola’s as leverage for livelihoods development in the along the Kenya- demise. From roughly 16,000 animals in local community, the conservancy has funded Somalia border the 1970s, the population has plummeted. over 120 children through school, sourced with no formal They now exist in isolated pockets of $90,000 for clean water projects in remote protection. The semi-arid grass and bushland in northern- villages, provided permanent employment highest numbers coastal Kenya, where the national army for 40 people, and sourced business grants of are in Ijara and battle terrorist militants from neighbouring $30,000 for local women. Garissa County, Somalia, and socio-economic marginalisation Kenya. has suppressed development for decades. A For Isa, this is a childhood dream realised. small population also exists in Tsavo East “I grew up in Garissa, and spent my youth TOP National Park where it was introduced in the herding livestock through the land,” he Hirolas feed mostly 1960s and 1990s recalls. “We shared the wilderness with around sunrise and elephants, giraffes and hirola, and I would then again right after Against this challenging backdrop, the spend hours watching them.” As he grew up, sunset. They are Abdullah community – who have lived Isa noticed a decline in the number of wild social and most of alongside hirola for generations – have been animals around him – elephants were being the time live in small working to turn the tides on the antelope’s killed for ivory and antelopes, especially groups of impending extinction, by linking wildlife the hirola, were poached for meat. He also 15-40 individuals; and habitat protection to the empowerment witnessed deforestation and more frequent these groups consist and prosperity of local people through the droughts and noted how this correlated to of females and their Ishaqbini Conservancy. From drumming poverty levels in his community. offspring, and a dominant male. 28 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

CONSERVATION The size in Convinced there was a way to link human to gain first-hand experience of indigenous kilometres prosperity to conserving the wildlife he loved, conservation in action. square of the Isa went on to study Community Resource Ishaqbini Hirola Management at Kenyatta University in He saw people from different ethnic groups Conservancy a Nairobi, becoming the only person in his governing institutions that were transforming community-based 200-household village to have received an lives; through coordinated land management, conservation area undergraduate degree. peace efforts, enterprise development and located in Garissa conservation programmes. County, Kenya. The story of Ishaqbini When Isa returned to his home village of “I took that initial NRT experience back to BELOW Kundi in 2007, the newly formed Ishaqbini Ishaqbini with me,” says Isa, “and I spent the Female hirola give Community Conservancy had just become next one year volunteering in the community, birth alone and may the first coastal conservancy to join the sharing what I had learned and raising remain separate from Northern Rangelands Trust. The community awareness on the opportunities community the herd for up to was divided into those that supported the idea conservation could offer.” two months, making of a conservancy, and those that remained them vulnerable to sceptical. “They had very little evidence to The decline of the hirola was of concern predation. Eventually believe conservation could benefit them in to the Adbullah Clan – the antelope is held the female will any way,” says Isa; “After all, the traditional in fond regard in their culture, and for older rejoin a nursery herd conservation model in Africa largely excludes generations, had been an integral part of the consisting of females local people, and they thought their grazing landscape they grew up in. The community and their young. land was at risk.” will for hirola conservation existed, but the idea of a predator-proof, fenced sanctuary The community turned to Isa for help came with many colonial connotations. But — with his fresh academic credentials and with hirola numbers continuing to fall across passion for the cause, he was their perfect their home range (as documented in the candidate. Isa made the rough, 800-km article ‘They came, they saw, they counted’ journey from Garissa to NRT’s central in the June-April 2011 edition of Swara) headquarters in Isiolo to find out more and evidence that predation was driving about community conservation. Here, his the population into further decline, it was enthusiasm was welcomed, and NRT sent him clear that isolating and protecting a small to three established community conservancies population was the only way to save them. In 2012, the Ishaqbini Hirola Sanctuary – the first community sanctuary in East Africa APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 29

CONSERVATION dedicated to the conservation of a critically sanctuary now represents approximately 20- TOP endangered species – was completed, with 25 per cent of the global population. Disease (particularly the full support of the local communities on rinderpest), whose land it sits. The population is growing so well that poaching, severe Ishaqbini and NRT are in the process drought, predation, With the support of partners, infrastructure of fundraising for an expansion. This is competition for food and management capability was built, supported by the National Recovery and and water from scouts employed and trained, and a founder Action Plan for Hirola Antelope (2018-2027), domestic livestock population of 48 hirolas were introduced into which was developed by the Kenya Wildlife and habitat loss are the sanctuary. Service with significant input from Ishaqbini. main threats to these antelopes. Hirola With the Hirola Sanctuary established, the From his office in Lamu, Isa’s most regular prefer areas that are community sought opportunities to leverage contact with the hirola these days is through used by livestock conservation for livelihoods projects. Over the motion-camera images sent to him by the which puts them 800 people benefitted from the delivery of Ishaqbini Conservancy manager. Insecurity at increased risk clean water to their villages, piped from the in the region makes the journey from Lamu to from diseases like tanks established in the Sanctuary. Over Ishaqbini difficult and remains a huge threat tuberculosis. $34,000 was raised to support local children to the hirola outside the Sanctuary, whose through school, and more than 100 women numbers continue to decline. accessed microloans through Ishaqbini for building business. A livestock vaccination “We can’t take our Sanctuary success campaign was started, to both protect the for granted,” says Isa. “We must use this livelihoods of local pastoralists and the momentum to support the scaling up of hirola hirola – who are susceptible to disease. To conservation. I want my great-grandchildren date, more than 120,000 livestock have been to be able to see them in the wild, just as I did. vaccinated in this programme. I really believe that community conservation is the way to ensure that happens.” In its first two years of operation, the population of hirola in the Sanctuary had SOPHIE HARRISON is the Strategy, almost doubled – from 48 to 80. By the end Design and Copy Consultant of 2019, there were thought to be between 119 at Northern Rangelands Trust and 131 individuals, representing a 160 per Communications cent increase from the founder population. The hirola population in the Ishaqbini 30 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

CONSERVATION ADVOCACY Birds and Power Transmission Lines: Can they Co-exist? Collision and electrocution by powerlines are considered to be a major cause of death for large-bodied bird species such as cranes and raptors. Electricity for everyday use is Unfortunately, the space occupied BELOW relatively new. Years ago, people by powerlines overlaps with the flight Carcas of a managed fine without it. Now, space of birds. Large birds fly rapidly and electrocuted bird lying electricity provides lights to read overimmense distances. They often do not on a road. Every year, by, and power for your phone, computer, TV, see the wires that suddenly fill their flying several million birds cooker, refrigerator, mixer, toaster, heater, space until it is too late. They may not be are killed worldwide washing machine and water pump. able to avoid wires as they dive down onto by powerlines which their prey or circle up from using the lift of are not bird safe. Development is seen as connecting rising thermals. A flying bird may collide They collide with as many households as possible. To get with an overhead cable. The bird is usually the massive electric electricity to homes, farms, factories, and killed by the impact with the cable, the cables and die from towns, transmission lines are being put up subsequent impact with the ground, or dies electrocution or from everywhere. According to the Least Cost from resulting injuries. Casualties due to breaking their neck or Power Development Plan 2018-2037, the collision with powerlines can happen to any other bones. Kenyan government plans to construct species of the flying bird. Particularly at risk 10,053 kilometres of transmission lines. This are birds migrating at night, birds flying in is expected to open up areas without access flocks, and/or large, heavy birds with limited to the national grid, enhance capacity for manoeuvrability. moving power from generating plants, avoid costly blackouts, and build inter-connectors Birds do not get shocked when they sit to facilitate power trade with neighbouring on electrical wires, because they are not countries. Transmission lines provide access connected to the ground or another wire. to users. However, a bird may be electrocuted when it bridges the gap between two energized components or an energized and an earthed component of the pole structure. This results APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 31

CONSERVATION The impact of transmission lines on endangered species can be profound where the loss of even a few individuals may impact a local population or overall population viability. TOP in a short circuit, with current flowing through of research and technological advancement A bird of prey the bird’s body leading to electrocution. It has been made on the issue and there are (immature Eastern is often accompanied by an outage of the many internationally acceptable state-of- Chanting Goshawk) electricity supply. Electrocution poses a serious the-art bird safety provisions. Electricity electrocuted on a threat to some bird species, in particular eagles transmission line companies are advised to cement power pole and other birds of prey that perch on electricity apply the mitigation hierarchy as provided without a protective poles or even build their nests there. in the widely accepted International Finance cover. Corporation Performance Standard 6 (IFC PS The impact of transmission lines on 6). The standard recognises that protecting endangered species can be profound where and conserving biodiversity, maintaining the loss of even a few individuals may impact ecosystem services, and sustainably managing a local population or overall population living natural resources are fundamental viability. And the electrocution of birds is not to sustainable development. The IFC PS6 just a conservation issue. The electrocution mitigation hierarchy recommends that, of large birds like flamingos, eagles and if possible, the avoidance of high-impact storks can cause damage to electrical lines areas; if that is not possible to minimize and interrupt power supplies, creating a impact; if that is not possible to restore the challenging problem for power distribution site impacted; and if that is not possible to companies in areas where such electrocution develop offsets to ensure biodiversity net gain. events are frequent. Mitigating the impacts Avoidance It is in the interest of both power transmission The simplest way to prevent bird companies and conservation to mitigate bird electrocutions and collisions is to avoid collisions with power lines. Fortunately, a lot building power lines through areas that 32 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

CONSERVATION portend risk to birds. It can be achieved touch the relevant energized components. through efficient network planning and Covering energized parts and/or covering bundling of infrastructures such as power grounded parts with materials that provide lines along roads and railways to maintain contact protection to birds may help. The use open unfragmented landscapes. of perch discouragers and providing artificial safe bird perches placed at a safe distance The easiest time to avoid hotspots for from the energized parts is an option. Lights potential bird collisions and electrocutions on the lines can reduce collisions at night to a is at the planning stage. It is at this stage great extent. that power transmission companies need to engage biodiversity conservation experts to Restore TOP identify, map and therefore avoid hotspots. When new pylons are introduced into a Electrocution is Unfortunately, the ongoing practice is landscape, tall trees in a corridor 50-70m another threat more that electricity transmission companies wide are removed, resulting in changed common for larger engage biodiversity experts during the habitats that should be considered in birds as they are able implementation stage of projects, if at all. the planning stage. In biodiverse ancient to touch two wires or woodland, this deforestation will likely have a wire and a support Placing above-ground transmission line as negative impacts. In a monoculture landscape post simultaneously. low as permissible, behind buildings or rows such as a eucalyptus plantation, removing The collision is of trees, at the foot of hills or mountains, and trees may allow new species to arrive, not necessarily the use of clearly-visible markers, are also resulting in increased biodiversity. Decisions instantly fatal, but methods to reduce collision risk. Burying for the conservation of biodiversity need to many of these birds the power lines underground offers the be made in the context of the habitat in which will die later from best solution, with the added benefit of not the infrastructure will be present. their injuries, often marring the view of the landscape. far away from the Offset powerlines. Minimize The last option for the protection and Minimizing the danger of electrocution conservation of biodiversity, which may be involves providing sufficient separation considered only after appropriate avoidance, between energized phase conductors by line design or configuration so that a bird cannot APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 33

CONSERVATION minimisation, and restoration measures have been applied, is offset. A biodiversity offset is designed and implemented to achieve measurable conservation outcomes that can reasonably be expected to result in no net loss and preferably a net gain of biodiversity. A case in point is if a government’s only option is to pass a railway line through a conservation area such as a national park an offset would be to acquire land of equal or greater conservation value adjacent to the park. This should be done in addition to other mitigation measures such as wildlife underpasses, overpasses and laying the railway line underground as much as is possible. Restoration and biodiversity offset should not be an option for power transmission lines, given the many options available for avoidance and mitigation. The way forward For birds and power transmission lines to TOP Nature Kenya has an organisational strategy co-exist, government and relevant agencies A Kori Bustard for mainstreaming biodiversity into the need to adopt avian safety measures in electrocuted by energy sector, especially wind turbines and project design and engineering works as transmission lines. power lines. per international best practice. These need Kori bustards are to include a continuous avian monitoring the world's heaviest For wind energy, Nature Kenya system. The Environmental Impact flying birds. They live recommends that energy sector institutions Assessment should consider the explicit in grasslands and reduce bird mortality and other biodiversity study of the bird dynamics, with effective savannas in eastern impacts through the following measures: consultation with all key stakeholders. and southern Africa. Smarter locations for wind energy The recommendations need to be adopted development – this includes further and implemented as part of an Environmental development of a national wind energy Management Plan. Power transmission investment sensitivity map, including both companies that fail to incorporate safeguards turbine and power line location planning; pre- for birds on transmission lines should construction monitoring and assessment of be held responsible for bird mortalities biodiversity; development of site Biodiversity caused by their lines. When large flocks Action Plans (BAP) to mitigate impacts; of birds are at risk of electrocution and ensuring transparent governance at the local collision from a power line, the electricity level, including expert inputs during project transmission company should be compelled implementation and providing for project to decommission and reroute that section of decommissioning in the project design. the line. Other measures include planning for In future, power companies may also biodiversity net gain of the whole project; be guided by the advice of the recently ensuring compliance with national legislation; established East African Energy Programme. applying emerging technology to reduce impacts, for example, radar technology and JOHN KIPTUM is the Policy and ultrasonic acoustics to enable shut down on Advocacy Officer at Nature Kenya. demand, painting turbines and designing new He holds a Bachelor of Science turbine shapes. degree in Wildlife Management from Moi University, Kenya. For electricity transmission, Nature Kenya’s strategies include ensuring that all high SERAH MUNGUTI is the Policy voltage transmission lines follow global best and Advocacy Manager at Nature practices and are designed to allow birds Kenya. She was involved in the to fly through without risk of electrocution, formulation of the award-winning mitigating electrocution by fitting poles with Tana River Delta land use plan. insulating caps made of plastic for outdoor use; and/or insulating power lines with tubing and analysing impacts on biodiversity using the ecosystem-based approach to include sufficient biodiversity offset schemes to ensure no net loss. 34 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

CONSERVATION WILDLIFE AND TOURISM The Value of Tourism in Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade Could economic benefits accruing from wildlife tourism be used as the overriding rationale to promote the protection of endangered species and wildlife habitats? In economic terms, the direct the report tried to do, using a number of Amount in US contribution of wildlife tourism is different methodologies, was to quantify the dollars protecting worth over five times that of the value economic value of wildlife tourism. They wildlife is worth attributed to the illegal wildlife trade, came up with a figure of $343.6 billion when per year because according to a report by the World Travel and multiplier effects across the global economy of the illegal Tourism Council (WTTC) on the economic are included. The Travel and tourism sector wildlife trade. impact of the global wildlife tourism. accounts for 10.4 per cent of the global GDP with the contribution from wildlife tourism BELOW Wildlife Tourism is defined in the report as being 3.9 per cent. Tourists in the Masai “viewing and experiencing animals in their Mara reserve in 2015, natural habitat.” This excludes zoos (or zoo- In addition, the authors calculated that of during the wildebeest like parks), circuses or theme parks involving the total number of jobs sustained by global migration. animal performances and also consumptive Travel and Tourism in 2018, 6.8 per cent can wildlife tourism such as hunting and fishing. be attributed to wildlife. This equates to 21.8 It is not adventure tourism, such as white- million jobs. Understanding the significant, water rafting, and, as it is specific to wildlife, quantifiable economic value that is being and it is not as broad-based as ecotourism or can be further earned through wildlife tourism nature-based tourism. will enhance attitudes to the protection of wildlife habitats. Combatting poaching Protecting wildlife is an immense challenge and trafficking of protected species while with the illegal wildlife trade worth at least supporting local communities can be financed $23 billion per year. What the authors of by monies raised, at least in part, from visitors to Protected Areas. The report suggests that the financial benefits brought from wildlife APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 35

CONSERVATION From the mid-1980s, privately-owned wildlife sanctuaries developed alongside those managed by the government creating additional tourist facilities to help cater for the growing number of visitors. tourism are also likely to greatly exceed the involves a managing organisation, with TOP approximately $10 billion in annual costs of community involvement, leasing many small Murchison Falls managing these areas. parcels of land owned by the community and National Park aggregating them into a suitably sized area ferry. The park is As across Africa, wildlife tourism represents exclusively for wildlife albeit with allowance crossed by the river over one-third of travel and tourism revenue, for their cattle to be grazed in the conservancy Nile bisecting into it is worthy of investigating how some but under strict control. Local people are two sectors that is countries are benefitting. trained as rangers, guides, drivers, hospitality southern and the workers and so forth, presenting essential northern sectors of The creation of national parks and reserves employment opportunities and who then have the park. One has to and a ban on hunting has seen wildlife money to spend in local trading centres. cross with the ferry tourism grow rapidly in Kenya. From the mid- to the northern side 1980s, privately-owned wildlife sanctuaries However, on the negative side and despite of Paraa area in order developed alongside those managed by a decline in wildlife populations in the past, to do a game drive the government creating additional tourist growing livestock and human populations around the park. facilities to help cater for the growing number have increased the instances of human- of visitors. wildlife conflict and of illegal grazing of livestock in protected areas and poaching In 2016, non-resident adults visiting remains a constant threat. National Parks (NP) was estimated to be some 473,280. The most visited wildlife area was Neighbouring Tanzania has a particularly recorded to be Masai Mara Game Reserve high percentage of its land area, 26.6 per cent, followed by Lake Nakuru NP, Amboseli NP, dedicated to wildlife. Nairobi NP and Tsavo East NP. The main non-resident visitors came from the United The most popular area is the Ngorongoro Kingdom followed by the United States, Crater with roughly 40 per cent of all visitors Germany and India. to protected areas in Tanzania going there, followed by Serengeti NP at 25 per cent, More recently, Kenya has led the way Tarangire at 11.2 per cent, and Arusha at in encouraging local communities to form 10.8 per cent. Non-resident visitors mainly community conservancies. The model usually 36 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

CONSERVATION Number of come from the Netherlands, United States, NP had 35,600 visitors and Nyungwe Forest mountain gorillas Switzerland and the United Kingdom. NP 14,400. living in the Virunga mountain The WTTC estimates indicate that the While East African countries can be proud range of Rwanda overall tourism sector contributed 11.7 per of their wildlife tourism industry, they have a and Congo. cent to Tanzania’s GDP, with 2.3 million long way to go to match South Africa. Some 8 people employed in the sector. per cent of the country is given over to around TOP LEFT 1,500 protected areas, the majority of which A family of vervet Uganda is a growing destination for wildlife are controlled by private landowners. Due to monkeys in Nyungwe tourism with some 286,000 visiting the South Africa’s support of the sustainable use Forest National Park. National Parks of which a little over 40 per of wildlife (so that owners can make money cent are non-resident foreigners. The most from the wildlife they host) large areas of TOP RIGHT visited destination is Murchison Falls NP at agricultural land have been converted to A mountain gorilla 33 per cent and followed by Queen Elisabeth conservation land use. Overseas visitors are snacks on leaves in NP at 29 per cent and Lake Mburo NP at 11 particularly drawn to the areas occupied by Bwindi Impenetrable per cent. Uganda boasts over 50 per cent of mega-herbivores and large carnivores with National Park. the global gorilla population, most of them elephant, rhino, lion and leopard mainly located in Bwindi Impenetrable NP and sought after. ABOVE Mgahinga Gorilla NP. Gorilla-based tourism Flamingoes are a is estimated to produce some 60 per cent of Overseas visitors to South Africa account beautiful sight seen the foreign exchange earnings received by the for around 2.6 million people led by the here in Lake Nakuru Uganda Wildlife Authority. United Kingdom at 16.1 per cent, with 14.1 National Park. per cent from the United States and 12.8 per The remaining populations of mountain cent from Germany. The most visited area is gorillas are found in Rwanda. A relative Table Mountain NP, which includes the Cape minnow among the East African tourist of Good Hope, but this is primarily for the industry, Rwanda is rapidly becoming a mountain scenery and the flora rather than its wildlife destination with the recovery of wildlife. Akagera National Park under the stewardship of African Parks (see Swara Jan-March 2019). The country’s protected areas are managed The recent introduction of lions and black by two main bodies based on geography – rhinos has further increased its appeal with South African National Parks (SAN Parks) for some 44,000 visitors in 2017 while Volcanoes all NP’s except those in KwaZulu-Natal which APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 37

CONSERVATION The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of travel and tourism. Council members are the Chairs, Presidents and Chief Executives of the world’s leading private sector Travel and Tourism businesses. A commitment to helping to eradicate the scourge of wildlife trafficking in the world was made by over 40 WTTC Member CEOs at the WTTC Global Summit in Buenos Aires in 2018. Since then, over 110 WTTC Members and leaders from the wider global travel and tourism sector have signed a declaration on illegal wildlife trade (IWT). The signatories have pledged to work together towards a common goal of changing behaviour of 1 billion travellers as it relates to illegal wildlife trade. WTTC’s ambition is to raise awareness of the issue and through a partnership with WWF and devise a zero-tolerance policy and toolkit. are administered by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife TOP employment, infrastructure development and (KZN). The Table Mountain income generation. National Park. For wildlife tourism, Kruger NP stands out Recognised This is all good news for wildlife as it will with 1.8 million of the 6.7 million visitors that globally for its maintain and increase the economic rationale, utilise SAN Parks NPs, the majority of which extraordinarily rich, as presented in the report, for the protection are South African residents. Kruger NP is one diverse and unique of endangered species and protecting wildlife of the largest parks in Africa, well managed flora, this singular habitats. with a wide diversity of good populations of land formation, the wildlife species sought after by tourists. with rugged cliffs, The WTTC report gives a better steep slopes and understanding of the importance of wildlife In the KZN area, the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi sandy flats, is a tourism to the economies of many nations. Park is the most visited with around 250,000 truly phenomenal That WTTC members have the ambition to of the area’s 650,00 tourists of which 21 per natural, scenic, raise awareness of the illegal wildlife trade cent are from overseas, mainly Germany, historical, cultural with one billion consumers is laudable and, if United Kingdom and France. and recreational successful, will likely have a major effect on asset both locally and helping to reduce the decimation of wildlife As to the future, there is plenty of internationally. resulting from that trade. opportunity for wildlife tourism to benefit from the growing Asian economies with ABOVE Note: The figures quoted in the article are from ever more people travelling. Countries A group of zebras the WTTC report and other sources. Some are which offer guides or interpreters who can crossing a road in educated estimates while others may come from non- communicate appropriately with their visitors Hluhluwe-Imfolozi comparable years. They should be considered as ‘for and hospitality areas which offer suitable Park. guidance’ and not necessarily absolute. food and accommodation will be sought after. These new markets will give opportunities for FELIX PATTON is a rhino ecologist with MSc in Conservation biology and a PhD on research on individual rhino identification and social behaviour. He is a frequent contributor to SWARA. He is also Rhino Fund Uganda's technical adviser. 38 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

CONSERVATION HABITAT ENCROACHMENT Tanzania’s Selous National Reserve Split over a Mega Dam Stiegler's Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station is being constructed despite objections based on its impact on the ecosystem. It is only at the gate that we are informed UNESCO World Heritage Site, seems to have BELOW by the rangers that we are entering disappeared from the maps. But the Tanzania The Selous Game Nyerere National Park. This is despite Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) Reserve, a protected Selous Game Reserve still painted boldly website in January 2020 still featured the area in southern at the entrance. 50,000-square-kilometre Selous. Hence our Tanzania. It was ignorance at the gate. designated a UNESCO It takes us by surprise. It is December 2019 World Heritage Site and without any fanfare, Africa’s first and Nyerere the park in 1982 due to its largest wildlife protected area that has been The Selous I was going to was to see the wildlife diversity and in existence since 1896, has been split quietly amazing Stiegler’s Gorge that I had heard so undisturbed nature. to pave the way for the construction of Julius much about. The 600-kilometre-long Rufiji Nyerere Hydropower Project that will be River falls over its rock scape some 330 feet Africa’s fourth-largest hydropower project. down to continue to the Indian Ocean. In my mind’s eye, I pictured crocodiles basking on From the original 50,000 square the banks, hippos snorting in the pools and kilometres, Nyerere the park is herds of elephant making a beeline to drink at 30,000-square- kilometres while Nyerere the river. the hydropower project has 20,000 square kilometres. Selous Game Reserve, a In a 1980s guidebook, Selous had the largest number of elephants and black rhinos in the world. Read 150,000 and APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 39

The year the In a 1980s guidebook, Selous tracts of forests – acacia, doum and borassus construction of had the largest number of palm, miombo, the now rare hardwood and Stiegler's Gorge elephants and black rhinos 1,000-year-old humongous baobabs and Hydroelectric in the world. grasslands. When I saw my first pack of the Power Station rare African wild dog in the wild, Nyerere began. 20,000 respectively. Of the black rhino, it stole my heart. was the subspecies Dicersos bicornis minor. The expected Tanzania is the only African country with Dam it! reservoir length two subspecies of black rhinos in the wild: Heavy-load trucks in the park head for the of the Gorge in Dicersos bicornis minor in the south and hydropower project, ferrying hazardous kilometres. Diceros bicornis michaeli in the north, whose gases and petrol on the long murram road. current stronghold is Kenya. The black rhino Straddling the road are tall poles for the TOP is listed critically endangered on the IUCN power supply that will transmit power to a The Rufiji River Red List. It is also a stronghold for Africa’s nation desperately in need of electricity. flows through one lions. of Africa's greatest The dam is being constructed despite wilderness areas, So, it was with great zest we entered the objections based on its impact in years to Selous Game Reserve, park even though Stiegler’s Gorge was out of come and started without much fanfare to where it ensures the bounds. Nyerere is still handsome … the park. avoid unwanted attention. survival of some of the wildlife. With 30,000km2 of wild Africa to explore, Yet in a newspaper article published by we stopped at numerous freshwater lakes the Kenya-based The East African weekly LEFT split from the Rufiji. We drove through vast newspaper on July 11, 2019, Tanzania African wild dogs are dismissed criticism from environmentalists some of the animals about the $3 billion hydropower dam project found in Selous. and attempted to lay aside fears by further stating that Tanzania had set aside 32 per cent of its total land area for conservation activities. But on 26 July of the same year, Tanzania's President John Magufuli laid the foundation stone for the construction, defending it but saying he was serious about conservation. The dam, he said, was to save the rural poor from cutting down trees for charcoal and hence combating greenhouse gas emissions at a time of climate crisis. He ignored the fact of the polluting trucks and that indigenous trees had 40 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

The World Bank and other Kenya’s standard gauge railway built through Number of bird international donors national parks, are they becoming ‘paper species recorded declined to fund the project parks?’ in Selous. The questioning the need for a most spectacular dam based on the limited A dam concern bird habitats growth in electricity In January 2019, Germany’s parliament urged within this reserve demand. the country’s government to find alternative are the lagoons, ways of helping Tanzania to produce the islands, River to be felled to pave way for the dam. Neither much-needed electricity. Germany has been Rufiji, channels as did he say anything about 20,000-square- funding anti-poaching operations in Selous well as sandbanks. kilometres lost for the wildlife that would Game Reserve. The best way to include not only the herds of elephants that observe the bird drank there but the chain link from the soil International conservation bodies like species living here upward. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) also questioned is by going for a the viability of the project. The World Bank boat safari. The making of Nyerere the park and other international donors declined to John Mnyika, Tanzania’s shadow minister fund the project questioning the need for a TOP for energy, questioned the viability of the dam based on the limited growth in electricity A herd of elephants dam. He said it could take up to 12 years to demand. Magufuli turned around and stated in Selous game construct and not the government’s estimated that the home government would fund it, reserve. The reserve three years. The cost would exceed the stated saying that groups expressing opposition will be flooded by $1.38 billion. The cost could rise to $9.8 wanted to keep Tanzania underdeveloped a permanent rise billion and the dam could destroy the ecology and that hoteliers and hunters were paying in water levels as a of Selous Game Reserve with the potential of peanuts for enjoying Selous. consequence of the having it removed from the UNESCO list of construction of the outstanding natural heritage that it has been Stiegler’s Gorge dam, on since 1992. forcing animals to look for new habitats. In a devious move, Magufuli’s government swiftly changed the status of the game reserve RIGHT to that of a national park but without the Signage showing gorge, a decision that raises concern over the the direction of sanctity of national parks by going against the hydropower project. mandate that protects them. If boundaries can be so easily altered and infrastructure like APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 41

CONSERVATION Alternative sources of energy Drying up TOP LEFT Feasibility studies except for a few, like the Africa’s love affair with dams boggles the There are many one done by a Tanzanian, have expressed mind. Except for Africa, dams are being species of birds to misgivings about the viability of the mega decommissioned. Less damaging and cheaper attract the eyes of project. A recent assessment entitled technologies are available. Africa is a water- the bird watchers in Economic Feasibility of the Stiegler’s Gorge stressed continent but for African leaders, the Selous. Hydropower Project by Joerg Hartmann, an choice for power is dam all. independent consultant and lead assessor TOP RIGHT with Hydropower Sustainability Assessment The Aswan High Dam built in the 1960s in Selous offers very Protocol, states that the Stiegler’s Gorge Dam Egypt to control the floodwaters of the Nile good wildlife viewing, has become unnecessary and would be a and provide electricity to every Egyptian, has in general. It's a good significant economic burden for Tanzania. flipped the coin to show a gradual decrease in place to see unusually Egypt's riverside agricultural lands and fish large groups of The country now has a chance to accelerate catch. giraffe alongside its industrialisation and improve standards other animals such as of living by bringing more generation Damming the Rufiji will eventually destroy buffalo, waterbuck, capacity much earlier, and at lower costs, the delta that relies on the seasonal flooding impala and zebra. than previously thought. In combination with to replenish it, as will Ethiopia’s Renaissance existing gas and hydropower resources, solar in Gibe dam under construction along the Blue BELOW particular can provide reliable baseload power. Nile. Not only could the Ethiopian project dry Map showing the up Kenya’s Lake Turkana, the world’s largest location Selous Game Depending on one technology like permanent lake in a desert, but it could also Reserve. hydropower as a main source of power dry up Egypt for whom the Nile is everything. increases the probability of supply interruptions when compared to more Today, studies show a slew of problems diversified and distributed generation associated with dams, ranging from increased systems. Currently, new renewable greenhouse gases and climate crisis to water- technologies are increasingly competitive and borne diseases like malaria. even cheaper than hydropower and natural gas, and Tanzania has excellent solar and RUPI MANGAT writes about travel wind potential. and environmental issues and is the editor of the Wildlife Clubs of In India and China solar costs have dropped Kenya magazine, Komba. tremendously, and hydropower is no longer the power of choice. Providing electricity to all is becoming much more realistic. 42 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

COMMUNITY-DRIVEN CONSERVATION Communities Protecting Biodiversity in Northern Tanzania Strategic alliances with communities yield sustainable conservation initiatives that benefit both people and wildlife. Driving near my home on Tanzania’s impact on big cat conservation. Tanzania TOP Maasai Steppe, I recently came holds one quarter to half of the world’s African People across a young male lion – the remaining wild African lion population. & Wildlife youth brother of a collared lion named There are an estimated 25,000 lions left in environmental Lala – courting a lioness. Lala’s brother is Africa, and they are listed as vulnerable to campers enjoy a film awaiting a name from the local community extinction by the International Union for the about lions and other since it appears his coalition is establishing its Conservation of Nature (IUCN). local wildlife species. territory here. Tanzania is a critical country for the I see lions around our home more regularly conservation of lions as well as cheetahs now and take joy in hearing their roars and leopards. The decline in lion numbers resounding in the night. But it wasn’t always has been attributed to conflict with humans, this way. Ten years ago, the presence and habitat loss and other threats. Cheetah and calls of the lions were mostly absent. Those leopard populations have also come under were darker days; a time when our team was extreme pressure. too often called to the scene of conflict to find a lion had been speared or poisoned in One of our goals at African People & retaliation for attacking a family’s livestock. Wildlife is to protect and restore healthy populations of these iconic, ecologically I co-founded African People & Wildlife in important species in northern Tanzania. 2005 because I wanted to make a meaningful When my husband, Charles Trout, and I first began working in the region in 2000, our primary focus was on saving big cats. But once we started to engage with the people APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 43

CONSERVATION Acres managed by The core challenge we originally worked on was helping the Sustainable communities keep their valuable livestock safe from lions Rangelands and other large carnivores. Initiative, leading to healthier and around us, we soon discovered we would need them to find a solution. more connected to broaden our lens. The majority of northern Built from dried thorn, the corrals livestock habitats. Tanzania’s rural communities live off the land and raise livestock as a way of life. But after owners were using to protect their herds Acres of shared thriving in the region for centuries, climate were not always effective. Together we land between change, increased competition for natural developed a new design using poles from people and wildlife resources and conflict with wildlife threaten living Commiphora trees as fence posts. The patrolled by their livelihoods. trees would not rot like traditional wooden community game poles, and they would help regenerate the As Charles and I learned about people’s landscape with new growth. The first ‘Living scouts. challenges and hopes for the future, we Wall’ – a circle of trees reinforced with chain- realised that including local communities in link fencing – was built in 2008. The result TOP conservation efforts could ensure a future of community ideas and input, this design A Maasai woman where people and wildlife mutually benefit. has remained extremely effective at keeping outside of her We began to search for win-win scenarios, livestock safe for the past 12 years. Many family's Living Wall in struck by the inspiring notion of balance. And ‘Living Wall’ owners tell us they are saving northern Tanzania. together with a Tanzanian team, we found money, enjoying a reduced workload, and ourselves developing an organic and holistic sleeping better at night. As a result, they BELOW community-driven model for conservation. express more positive opinions about living A Living Wall alongside wildlife. conserves lions by The core challenge we originally worked protecting livestock in on was helping communities keep their the West Kilimanjaro valuable livestock safe from lions and other landscape. large carnivores. To illustrate the magnitude of the problem, one community member told us he used to lose 25 per cent of his cattle in an average year. Historically, people in this scenario often retaliated with spears or poison. This type of revenge killing has been a major cause of declining big cat populations, not only in Tanzania but in many countries around the world. Once our team understood the issue from the perspective of rural communities, we began collaborating with 44 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

CONSERVATION TOP Our successful ‘Living Walls’ initiative Members of the became the catalyst for the co-creation Women's Beekeeping of additional programmes that benefit Initiative check on both people and wildlife. For example, the their hives in the Women’s Beekeeping Initiative provides a bush. sustainable income source for rural women while protecting important habitats from tree RIGHT cutting and cultivation. Launched in 2015, A member of the the programme empowers more than 1,260 Women's Beekeeping women across 77 groups, with additional Initiative holds a jar groups expected to join soon. of wildlife-friendly honey. Many of the beekeepers come from the Maasai ethnic group, a deeply patriarchal society in which men make most of the A year after African People & Wildlife decisions. But when a Maasai woman earns launched the Women’s Beekeeping Initiative, her income, she can choose how she wants we co-designed another programme in to spend it. As a result of the programme, partnership with local communities – the Women’s Beekeeping Initiative members are Sustainable Rangelands Initiative. Together now sending their children to school, paying with 20 partner communities, we are working for their families’ healthcare and speaking to solve the pressing issue of land degradation out about environmental conservation. As a due to overgrazing. The programme uses woman, it is deeply meaningful for me when science, local knowledge, technology and other women tell me they have a greater voice improved collaboration to enhance traditional at home and in their communities. One of the rangeland management methods. In women’s group leaders, Mama Helena, says community-managed grazing areas we are her husband asks for her opinion on issues observing taller grass, fewer areas of bare now, and she is proud to be respected more in ground and the return of important plant and the community. wildlife species, including the rare gerenuk. Number of Communities Students Approximate Living Walls Beehives in critical endangered or partnering on supported through number of lions constructed across wildlife habitats that vulnerable large conservation and secondary school protected each year five conservation have produced 11 mammals protected. development and university by Living Walls. landscapes, bringing tons of crude honey, programming. scholarships. peace and prosperity generating vital to rural families income for rural while adding trees to families. the environment. APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 45

CONSERVATION At African People & Wildlife, we believe this type of citizen science harnesses the power of people and enables discoveries that would otherwise not be possible. Throughout all our efforts, assisting power of people and enables discoveries TOP community members to collect the relevant that would otherwise not be possible. When Community rangeland data for decision-making and programme communities participate in conservation monitors measure evaluation has been a key priority. Recently, efforts on this level, they can ensure the a plot as part of due to a partnership with Esri, an success and sustainability of conservation the Sustainable international supplier of geographic programmes. Such close collaborations also Rangelands Initiative. information system software, web GIS and help African People & Wildlife to maintain geodatabase management applications we personalised relationships with other non- LEFT have been able to revolutionise the speed by profit organisations, businesses, partners, and African People & which community members get access to their government agencies. Wildlife youth wildlife data via ArcGIS Solutions for Protected club members study a Area Management (a web-based geographic One successful example is our growing giraffe foot print. information system). These exciting apps and partnership with the Ngorongoro tools put critical conservation information Conservation Area Authority (NCAA). into the hands of community members The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the in real-time; allowing them to collect only protected area in Tanzania where and visualise data that impact their lives, large wildlife populations live alongside including rainfall measurements, big cat rural people. Public participation is key to sightings and changes in pasture quality as a conservation efforts in this landscape. African result of rangeland monitoring. People & Wildlife is happy to be supporting the NCAA’s efforts to engage communities At African People & Wildlife, we believe through rangeland management and human- this type of citizen science harnesses the wildlife conflict programming. It is inspiring to witness the momentum of our work continue beyond Tanzania. In 2019, our conservation efforts began Rural students who have People positively impacted Amount in U.S. dollars Trees planted to build received conservation by Living Walls each day. awarded in microgrants to Living Walls. education through women's groups environmental camps, wildlife clubs, and scholarship programs. 46 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

CONSERVATION to create a shift in African conservation partners, the Tarangire Lion Project, has TOP thinking with Community, Conservation and recorded an increase in the lion population A lioness rests in Collaboration: A Framework for Success, an they are monitoring. The Tarangire Lion a tree in northern essential guide to community engagement Project has also documented lion prides Tanzania. Lions are published by African People & Wildlife and shifting to communal areas where they must the most sociable the National Geographic Society. We created now feel safer. member of the cat this comprehensive framework because we family and can be saw an opportunity to help support other All of these collaborative successes make found living in prides NGOs and conservationists in Africa building me optimistic about the future of Tanzania’s of up to 25 individuals. and enhancing their community engagement people and wildlife. One of my biggest reasons strategies. For example, in November 2019 for hope is the enthusiasm for environmental we held a meeting with the leadership of protection shared by our youth programme the Tanzania National Parks Authority participants. A number of the scholars (TANAPA) to discuss the “how” of community we support are planning future careers in engagement outlined in the framework. conservation and related fields. One of the We envision the publication as an evolving, environmental campers recently told us the collaborative effort that will inspire and programme inspired him so much that he advance meaningful conservation solutions. has decided to pursue a degree in wildlife management! Watching these dedicated Strategic alliances offer great promise for young people come of age, I believe the next Tanzania’s future as a global conservation generation of big cats and their habitats will leader. Through our collective action, we be in good hands. are preserving the country’s critical wildlife populations and helping to build strong, LALY LICHTENFELD is Co- resilient communities. founder and Chief Executive Officer, African People & Wildlife. How does all of this work benefit big cats? A 20-year resident of Tanzania, Evidence suggests that lion populations she is committed to a world are rebounding in the Tarangire ecosystem where communities and wildlife – our programmatic area with the highest coexist and thrive. Laly specializes in holistic, concentration of ‘Living Walls’. Over the past landscape-level approaches to conservation and few years our team has observed an upward community development. trend in big cat sightings while one of our APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 47

ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE Uganda’s Wildlife Trafficking Problem The East African country fights to avoid becoming a hub of the global illegal trade wildlife as it becomes a common transit point for the trafficking of wildlife and wildlife products in the Central and East Africa region. Uganda has become one of the common transit points for international trafficking of both wildlife and wildlife products in the eastern and central African region, according to various reports prepared by experts in the illegal wildlife trade. A report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2016 entitled ‘World Wildlife Crime Report: Trafficking in protected species’ identified Uganda as a source shipping country for ivory going to transit ports in Kenya and Malaysia before onward transportation to East Asian destinations. According to UNODC, large volumes of ivory, including shipments of over 500kg, have been seized by Ugandan authorities. This suggests the country is a major transit staging area with ivory flowing in from parts of eastern and central Africa. Terrestrial smuggling routes from Uganda link the country with Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The main international destinations for wildlife products smuggled from Uganda are China and Vietnam. TRAFFIC, an international NGO that monitors wildlife trade, released a report in 2018 entitled ‘Uganda Wildlife Trafficking Assessment’ that documented the country’s role in the illicit transit of wildlife and wildlife products. The report was part of the USAID- funded Wildlife TRAPS Project. The study found evidence of ivory smuggled from DRC and South Sudan being transported to the international airport in Juba or by road to Uganda’s border with Kenya for onward transportation to the Indian Ocean coast from where it was reportedly shipped to China. 48 | APRIL - JUNE 2020

CONSERVATION It is estimated that the annual value of the illegal wildlife trade is between $7 and $23 billion. Amount in Wildlife trafficking is the illegal cross- the transmission of zoonotic illnesses such as kilogrammes of border trade in both fauna and flora. These a COVID-19, which has implicated the heavily elephant ivory include live wildlife as well as wildlife trafficked Asian pangolins and bats. confiscated products or their derivatives. The impacts at Entebbe of illegal wildlife trade are significant and So how did Uganda become a trafficking International far-reaching. They include the depletion hub in the region? Airport in 2015 or extinction of iconic species to economic on transit to losses that affect the livelihoods of local Following the loss of more than 60 per Amsterdam in the communities. These economic losses threaten cent of elephants in Tanzania between 2009 Netherlands. sustainable development, good governance, and 2014, reducing the country’s elephant rule of law and security. It is estimated that population from an estimated 109,051 to TOP the annual value of the illegal wildlife trade is 43,330, the government systematically set Lion populations in between $7 and $23 billion. about trying to curtail ivory poaching and Uganda are stable but trafficking. threats from habitat Economic losses are due mainly to loss, snaring of prey dwindling eco-tourism, which not only The Tanzanian government in 2014 for bushmeat, and negatively affects a country’s GDP but also established the National Elephant Action human-lion conflict impacts local communities who depend on Plan, a National Ivory Action Plan (NIAP) must be recognised the industry for employment. Besides, the and a national strategy to combat the illegal and addressed illegal wildlife trade puts a financial strain wildlife trade. Under the NIAP process, immediately if the on national economies. Cash-strapped Tanzania significantly improved legislation critically endangered African countries have to bolster their and law enforcement that resulted in more species is to thrive. security infrastructure in terms of manpower, arrests, prosecutions and stiffer penalties for weapons, and surveillance equipment as poaching and trafficking offences. poaching and trafficking threats come from armed non-state individuals and groups as “In terms of Uganda becoming a major well as organised crime syndicates. There is route, it was probably first flagged through also the socio-economic and political fallout of studying ivory trade flows;” said Richard Thomas, TRAFFIC Head of Communications in the UK. “For example, the data we compile on behalf of CITES (Convention on APRIL - JUNE 2020 | 49

CONSERVATION Amount in International Trade in Endangered Species of out logs and sealed with tons of wax at a kilogrammes of Wild Fauna and Flora) through the Elephant suspected smuggling centre in the DRC. Two pangolin scales Trade Information System (ETIS).” Vietnamese men were detained on suspicion confiscated of involvement in the racket. at Entebbe This meant that Dar es Salaam in International Tanzania was no longer the ‘soft option’ A worrying trend in Uganda as a transit Airport in 2015 for elephant ivory exiting Africa. The trade country is that recent reports have associated on transit to shifted elsewhere and Uganda emerged as a ivory smuggling with the trafficking of Amsterdam. significant smuggling route. pangolin scales, suggesting the existence of an international trade transit within Uganda BELOW It should be noted that ivory and other illegal to destinations in East, Southeast and South While poachers wildlife products from neighbouring DRC’s Asian countries. Elephant ivory and pangolin and those with Garamba National Park are thought to transit scales are similar in that they are bulk small quantities of through Uganda. A similar situation exists commodities that tend to be shipped out of wildlife species are concerning South Sudan. In her report entitled Africa by sea in large consignments. sometimes arrested, Uganda Wildlife Trafficking Assessment, the real beneficiaries, author Alessandra Rossi noted that “the In 2012, there was already growing demand often playing in the smuggling routes across these two countries from Asia for pangolin scales from Uganda background, are are sustaining the trafficking of ivory coming and elsewhere on the African continent. This rarely apprehended from Central and Western Africa.” because clear though seizures by the Uganda and continue to Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Natural pump in hundreds of The lingering legacy of two civil wars Resource Conservation Network (NRCN), millions of dollars involving several neighbouring African a Ugandan NGO handling investigation, into the illicit trade. countries is an ongoing headache for wildlife prosecution and reporting wildlife crime in conservationists. Continuing armed conflicts the country. involving at least a dozen or so militias and rebel groups not only in the DRC but also in In recent years, large quantities of pangolin neighbouring Uganda have also hampered scales have been confiscated with equally conservation efforts. large consignments of elephant ivory. In 2015, for example, 2,000kg of pangolin scales were In January 2019, Ugandan authorities confiscated at Entebbe International Airport announced the seizure one of the largest together with 700kg of elephant ivory on wildlife contraband in the country – transit to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. approximately 750 pieces of ivory and thousands of pangolin scales smuggled Experts say the illegal transit of wildlife from South Sudan. The ivory and pangolin and wildlife products through Uganda has scales were reportedly packed into hollowed- numerous causes. They include weaknesses 50 | APRIL - JUNE 2020