WAJIR—We stand to gain alot as a community by protecting the wildlife and their habitat, conservationists have urged the people of Wajir County.
Speaking at Habaswein on Wednesday during the World Giraffe Day, Sharmake Mohamed, the chairman of the Sabuli Wildlife Conservancy said instances of commercialised poaching was on the increase in the county.
“We should take pride in the fact that Wajir South is the home of the Somali giraffes, the only place found in the world,” Sharmake noted. He further urged the area community to protect the wildlife, saying it has the potential to create gainful opportunities for the area.
The event was presided over by the Cabinet Secretary (CS), Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, Peninah Malonza, the Principal Secretary State Department for Wildlife, Ms. Silvia Museiya, the Principal Secretary State Department for Culture and Heritage, Ms. Ummi Bashir, Wajir South Member of Parliament, Mohamed Adow, among other leaders.
The CS commended the community of Wajir County for taking care of this endangered species while at the same time challenged them to protect the wildlife and it’s habitat.
“Kenya is home to 3 species of giraffe that include the Maasai giraffe, The Nubian Giraffe, and the Reticulated Giraffe. According to the National Wildlife Census of 2021, Kenya had an estimated population of 34,240 giraffes, of which the Maasai, Nubian and Reticulated Giraffe consisted of 13,530 animals, 970 animals, and 19,740 animals respectively, the CS said.
Most of these giraffe populations live on community or private land. The CS took the opportunity to thank all the communities and private individuals who have taken care of this national treasure over the years.
“To you all I say hongera. Let us continue to take care of this endangered species and ensure that they are protected for future generations,” added the CS.
The World Giraffe Day is celebrated every 21st of June each year. This annual event to celebrate the tallest animal coincides with the equinox, the Longest Day or Night of the Year, when the Sun is at the Equator. During this day, we raise support, create awareness and shed light on the challenges giraffes face in the wild.
Wajir County hosts approximately 6,000 endangered reticulated giraffes – the largest pool of the sub-species. The reticulated giraffes, also known as the Somali giraffes, are commonly found in the Horn of Africa region where the Somali community mostly reside such us Somalia, Southern Ethiopia and Northestern Kenya.
In the last 35 years, the number of reticulated giraffes, which today live almost exclusively in northern Kenya, has dropped from 36,000 to fewer than 16,000—a 56 percent decline.
The species was classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2018.
The giraffes have died in huge numbers, largely due to decades of tribal conflicts over land and resources, violence by the Somalia-based armed group al-Shabaab, and, perhaps from climate change, which has accelerated habitat loss and increased poaching in the region.
“By marking the World Giraffe Day in the county, we will use the event to highlight the plight of the endangered reticulated giraffes,” Sharmarke, who is also the chairman of the Northeastern Conservationist Association, noted. He added that “passionate Conservationists from different parts of the country will also attend the event, a first of its kind to be held in the region.
