Updates
Kenya
AWF (African wildlife
foundation) joins US
Congressmen and Sahara the
cheetah in support of great
cats and rare canids.
Last month, AWF staff in
Washington, DC, joined
Congressmen Clay Shaw, Ed
Royce, Tom Udall and the
conservation community as
the Congressmen announced
their newly introduced Great
Cats and Rare Canids Act of
2004. The Bill will increase
conservation funding for
more than a dozen foreign
endangered feline and canine
species, including cheetah,
lion, and wild dog. Sahara,
the Ambassador Cheetah from
the Cincinnati Zoo was also
in attendance representing
her fellow feline and canine
friends (as well as stealing
the show and up-staging the
high ranking speakers!). The
new Act will provide
opportunity for increased
conservation funding
globally for these flagship
species through the creation
of the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Great Cats
and Rare Canids Conservation
Fund. Once the Bill is
passed and the Fund
established, conservation
organizations such as AWF
will have the opportunity to
seek assistance to conserve
these priority species.
Naibor camp has amazing mountain
biking, excellent game viewing,
and bountiful birding!
Brian Finch, one of
Kenya’s leading ornithologists
visited Naibor early in January
to assist in compiling their
bird list. What a huge success!
During two full days birding
over 205 species were counted,
bringing the total number at
Naibor to over 250. According to
Brian some of the more
interesting finds are: Both
Yellow necked and Red Necked
Spurfowl occur in the area. Grey
Woodpecker are numerous around
camp. Rufous chested swallows
were seen nesting in an antbear
hole. A population of Pangani
longclaws were seen, as well as
the Grossbeak Canary. Now for
the most interesting find. Not
only for Naibor camp but for the
whole of Kenya! A new bird for
the country has been seen close
to camp-- a silvery grey bird,
smaller than a sparrow with a
longish tail and a distinctive
white window in the wing.
Serious birders will start
forming an opinion by now. It is
called the Karamoja Apalis. Only
two populations occur in Africa,
one in Northern Uganda, the
other and at an isolated spot in
Tanzania. Brian was the first
person to get some pictures and
sound recordings of this species
in Kenya, officially adding it
to the country’s already
impressive bird list.
Kichwa Tembo (Masai Mara)/CC
Africa supports Kakamega
environmental education program
(K.E.E.P.)
for the
remarkable work being done to
save the unique Kakamega Forest
in Western Kenya. Kakamega is
the only true rainforest left in
Kenya and is famous for its
variety of rare birds,
butterflies and snakes, many of
which are endemic. K.E.E.P. is
making huge strides promoting
alternative fuel saving measures
to neighboring communities with
fuel efficient wood burning
stoves and portable food
warmers. Their program teaches
tree growing, bee-keeping and
has started a butterfly farm and
silk-worm rearing projects. Bird
guides have been trained by
K.E.E.P. to help visitors spot
Great Blue Turaco, Grey Parrot,
Blue-headed Bee-eater,
Black-faced Rufous Warbler and
White-spotted Flufftail in the
forest. Quite a treat for
ornithologists! On another note,
Kichwa was awarded Lodge of the
Year 2004 at CC Africa’s
Manager’s Conference for the
consistent high standards and
warm hospitality delivered by
the Kichwa Team over the last 25
years.
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