Latest news with #KenyaWildlifeService
Associated Press
28-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Kenya Wildlife Service and the Zeitz Foundation Initiate Historic Rhino Translocation to Segera Conservancy
The initiative aims to create one of the largest rhino sanctuaries globally, protecting endangered species while delivering sustainable community benefits. SEGERA, KENYA, May 28, 2025 / / -- Kenya's Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano today presided over the launch of a groundbreaking rhino translocation exercise at the Segera Conservancy in Central Kenya. The project, a collaborative effort between the ZEITZ Foundation and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), will see 21 critically endangered eastern black rhinos moved to the 50,000-acre conservancy, marking a significant milestone in Kenya's wildlife conservation efforts. More than a relocation effort, this is a visionary model for regeneration. It forms part of a broader plan to establish what will ultimately become one of the largest rhino sanctuaries in the world by connecting Segera to other conservation areas in the region. Kenya is home to about 80 percent of the world's remaining eastern black rhinos. As of 2024, Kenya had 1,977 rhinos, made up of 1,004 eastern black rhinos, 971 southern white rhinos, and two critically endangered northern white rhinos. Jochen Zeitz the founder of the ZEITZ Foundation and Segera says, 'We are so excited to be welcoming endangered Black Rhinos back to Segera. By giving these rhinos an expansive new home, we not only expect to see numbers increase significantly in coming years, but it also benefits communities while enhancing the biodiversity and landscapes of Central Kenya.' said Zeitz. Restoring the Land, Empowering the People Like all other projects by the ZEITZ Foundation, the translocation is expected to deliver tangible and sustainable benefits for land, wildlife, and rural communities. The establishment of Segera Rhino Sanctuary will serve as a linchpin in Kenya's Rhino Range Expansion plan, with Segera Conservancy being the central geographic connection between other rhino sanctuaries. As community involvement remains central to the project's success, areas around Segera will benefit through employment, capacity building and increased conservation economies. The project also offers unique learning experiences for schools and communities on wildlife conservation and related opportunities. Enhanced Security and Ecological Monitoring The translocation process is expected to take approximately 18-21 days, during which the rhinos will be kept under close observation by KWS specialists to help them adapt to their new home. Enhanced security measures will protect not only the rhinos but also the broader biodiversity of the area and local communities around the conservancy. Organizers have emphasized that existing land rights and boundaries will be respected and remain unaffected by the rhino translocation. Advanced ecological monitoring will also ensure sustainable habitat management and help mitigate Human Wildlife Conflict. A Living Legacy of the 4Cs Segera's role in this rewilding milestone reflects a long-term vision seeded by Jochen Zeitz, founder of the ZEITZ Foundation. In 2009, the Foundation developed The Long Run—a global community of nature-based businesses committed to achieving the highest levels of sustainability through a holistic balance of the 4Cs: Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce. Now an independent charity, The Long Run supports some of the world's most forward-thinking conservation and tourism initiatives, safeguarding over 21 million acres globally. As a founding Long Run Destination, Segera exemplifies this philosophy through efforts like wildlife conservation, women's empowerment, habitat restoration, and community development. In turn, this rhino relocation is more than a conservation success—but part of a larger story where tourism, nature, and local communities work in harmony to shape a sustainable future. A Tourism Model That Regenerates Aside from being a vital hub for the relocation project, Segera is also an award-winning eco-tourism destination where every guest stay directly supports the ecosystem and the communities who protect it. As a pioneer in regenerative tourism, Segera offers travelers a luxury safari experience grounded in purpose. Visitors are invited to take part in guided rewilding walks, learn about the 4C Philosophy, meet rangers and researchers, and explore how tourism revenue fuels long-term ecological and community resilience. Today, guests will also now have the rare opportunity to witness the return of critically endangered eastern black rhinos to their ancestral lands. ABOUT SEGERA Located in the heart of Laikipia, Kenya, Segera is a 50,000-acre wildlife conservancy and award-winning eco-tourism destination. As a hub for conservation, art, and culture, Segera blends luxury with purpose, offering guests transformative travel experiences that support wildlife protection, community empowerment, and the regeneration of East Africa's landscapes. ABOUT THE ZEITZ FOUNDATION Founded by Jochen Zeitz in 2008, the ZEITZ foundation promotes an innovative approach to sustainable ecosystem management which aims to achieve sustainability through a balance of Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce (the 4Cs). Its vision is of an ecosphere – our planet and all of its life-sustaining regions – maintained in the healthiest possible state, with the major contribution to that health coming from people making sustainable choices. The ZEITZ foundation's mission is to create and support ecologically and socially responsible projects to achieve long-lasting impact and sustainability through the 4Cs, delivering tangible and sustainable benefits for land, wildlife and rural communities. Founded by the ZEITZ foundation in 2009, The Long Run is a membership organisation of nature-based tourism businesses that are committed to driving sustainability through the same holistic 4C philosophy. Now safeguarding over 21 million acres of nature in 22 different countries, touching the lives of 750,000 people and protecting over 30,000 plant and animal species, The Long Run has become the largest organisation of its kind worldwide. ABOUT THE KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is a state corporation mandated to conserve and manage Kenya's wildlife, and to enforce relevant Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (WCMA, 2013) laws for the Kenyan people and the world. There are a plethora of challenges facing wildlife and biodiversity conservation in Kenya, such as climate change, habitat degradation and loss, forest depletion, tourism market volatility, changing land use, human-wildlife conflict brought on by population growth, and wildlife crime. KWS manages about 8 per cent of the total landmass of the country, which comprises 23 National Parks, 28 National Reserves and 4 National Sanctuaries. Also, under KWS management are 4 Marine National Parks and 6 Marine Rachel Roth Imagine PR [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Officers stunned after uncovering bizarre smuggling operation led by two teenagers: 'Landmark case in the field'
Authorities found 5,000 smuggled ants that two Belgian teenagers planned to ship overseas to exotic pet markets. In early April, Kenya Wildlife Service officers uncovered the ants in a guesthouse in the western part of the country. According to the Guardian, two Belgian teenagers, Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx, intended to ship the ants to Europe and Asia. Pet ants are growing in popularity. An anonymous online ant vendor spoke to the Guardian, saying, "In today's world … many are disconnected from themselves and their environment. Watching ants in a formicarium can be surprisingly therapeutic." The seized ants were mostly Messor cephalotes, a large red harvester species from East Africa. Ants R Us, a site that sells to ant collectors, prices Messor cephalotes at around $265 per colony. David said, "We did not come here to break any laws. By accident and stupidity, we did." The two teens likely don't realize how dangerous an invasive ant species is to an ecosystem. A 2023 paper on the ant trade, published in the journal Biological Conservation, explained that "the most sought-after ants have higher invasive potential." Invasive species topple ecosystems. They push out native creatures, deplete resources, and alter habitats. This reduces biodiversity, threatening food and water security, climate stability, and disease control. Removing species from their natural habitat also disrupts those ecosystems. Every living being, from bacteria to apex predators, plays a vital role, and ants are especially important. Dino Martins, an entomologist and evolutionary biologist in Kenya, told the Guardian that harvest ants are a crucial insect. On the African savannah, they support plant germination, contribute to soil nutrients, and create food sources for other animals. Taking them from their natural habitat could cripple these environments, and introducing them elsewhere can harm ecosystems. In short, the illegal ant market is a recipe for global disaster. Do you think we still have a lot to learn from ancient cultures? Definitely Only on certain topics I'm not sure No — not really Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Authorities are trying to stop illegal ant trading and smuggling before it becomes more severe. But this case shows how it's growing. The anonymous ant seller called this a "landmark case in the field," and noted that, "people traveling to other countries specifically to collect ants and then returning with them is virtually unheard of." In 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a message urging ant keepers to be responsible and cautious. The message said, "Although ant keeping is an exciting hobby, ant keepers must understand the risks." People should thoroughly research ant vendors and species before purchasing, and take extra care to prevent exotic ants from being released into nature. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
IOL News
21-05-2025
- IOL News
Ant smuggling bust in Kenya uncovers million-dollar global insect trade
Its not just big animals that are smuggled, tiny insects like ants are also targeted. WILDLIFE trafficking is no longer just a threat to Africa's elephants and rhinos, now even its smallest inhabitants are being targeted for profit. In a case that has shocked conservationists, Kenyan authorities recently intercepted an attempt to smuggle 5,400 live queen ants out of the country, spotlighting a growing black market for insects. In April, two Belgian teenagers, a Vietnamese national, and a Kenyan accomplice were caught trying to sneak the ants, primarily of the Messor cephalotes species, out of Kenya. The insects were carefully packed into over 2,200 modified test tubes and syringes to keep them alive for transport to European collectors. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) valued the collection at approximately 1.2 million Kenyan shillings. On the European underground market, the ants could have sold for up to one million US dollars, underscoring the lucrative nature of this little-known trade. While high-profile smuggling cases involving ivory or rhino horn often dominate headlines, this incident reveals how traffickers are shifting focus to smaller, less conspicuous species that still fetch high prices among global hobbyists. 'The smuggling of ants, it is not a good thing. The smuggling of any animal to places where they don't occur naturally is quite troublesome,' said Professor Henk Bouwman of the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management at North-West University. 'Ants are a fantastic group of animals to study and to look at. There are 12,000 to 15,000 known species, and we estimate that there might be more than double that. They're really, really incredible,' he said. 'They occur in almost any habitat, from deep underground to right at the top of trees in rainforest.'
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Team rushes to treat elephant's ‘ghastly' injury caused by metal spear in Kenya
A team of wildlife experts in Kenya rushed to the aid of an adult African elephant spotted with a large spear in it's foot. Veterinarians pulled a bent metal spear about 5-feet long that had become embedded in the bull elephant's foot pad, according to a May 18 Facebook post from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The group said the 'ghastly' injury was likely the result of a conflict with humans. The team's 'swift' intervention prevented 'irreversible damage' to the elephant, and as a result, he is expected to be OK, according to the organization. The elephant was found in the Mara Triangle, an area making up one-third of Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve. 'Human-wildlife conflict is a growing threat to elephants, as wild spaces shrink and nature's giants increasingly compete with humans for land and resources,' the team said. While vets treat the animals 'caught in the crosshairs,' experts said they are also working to address the root causes of human-wildlife conflict. Some strategies include aerial and ground intervention, 'shepherding elephants off community land and back to protected areas, fence lines that serve as wild borders, and community outreach to accomplish mutually beneficial solutions,' the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust said. Elephants aren't the only animals at risk from human-wildlife conflicts. In early May, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's mobile vet unit in Tsavo treated a fully grown male giraffe with a spear lodged in its leg, McClatchy News previously reported. The giraffe was expected to make a full recovery. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has six mobile veterinary units and a 'rapid response sky vet' program led by the Kenya Wildlife Service to treat injured wild animals across Kenya, according to the groups website.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Yahoo
Two teenagers found with 5,000 ants could serve 12 months in prison
Two Belgian teenagers who were found with 5,000 ants in Kenya have been fined $7,700 or the option to serve 12 months in prison for violating wildlife conservation laws. Belgian nationals Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx, both 19, were arrested on April 5 and charged 10 days later after Kenyan authorities discovered the ants packed in test tubes at the guest house where they were staying. Authorities said the ants were destined for European and Asian markets in an emerging trend of trafficking lesser-known wildlife species. Magistrate Njeri Thuku, sitting at the court in Kenya's main airport, delivered her ruling on Wednesday. She said that despite the teenagers telling the court they were naïve and collecting the ants as a hobby, the particular species of ants they collected is valuable and they had thousands of them — not just a few. The sentence is considered the maximum penalty for the offence. The Kenya Wildlife Service had said the teenagers were involved in trafficking the ants to markets in Europe and Asia, and that the species included messor cephalotes, a distinctive, large and red-colored harvester ant native to East Africa. The illegal export of the ants 'not only undermines Kenya's sovereign rights over its biodiversity but also deprives local communities and research institutions of potential ecological and economic benefits,' KWS said in a statement. Kenya has in the past fought against the trafficking of body parts of larger species of wild animals such as elephants, rhinos and pangolins among others. But the cases against the four men represent "a shift in trafficking trends — from iconic large mammals to lesser-known yet ecologically critical species,' KWS said. Philip Muruthi, a vice president for conservation at the Africa Wildlife Foundation in Nairobi, previously said the ants play the role of enriching soils, enabling germination and providing food for species such as birds. 'The thing is, when you see a healthy forest, like Ngong forest, you don't think about what is making it healthy. It is the relationships all the way from the bacteria to the ants to the bigger things,' he said. Muruthi warned of the risk of trafficking species and exporting diseases to the agricultural industry of the destination countries. 'Even if there is trade, it should be regulated and nobody should be taking our resources just like that,' he said.
