Kenya Wildlife services sets-up a toll-free number for COVID -19 cases in game parks

The Kenya Wildlife services have set-up a toll-free reporting number for any incident related to the COVID -19 cases in the park. This will help in monitoring and reporting any cases in the national park while at the same time help in keeping the parks safe from the Corona Virus which has so far claimed the lives of 396 Kenyans and infected  approximately 25 000  residents.

According to the Director General Kenya wildlife Service, Republic of Kenya, Brig. (Rtd). John Waweru, the organization has also set up an isolation centre at the Head Quarters, and every staff must be screened while at work.

“we have also enhanced communication and information sharing with the tourism industry, and we have also allowed 16% of staff to work virtually while the remaining 84% are on active duty.’’ The DG cited in an effort to control the virus.

He was speaking at a webinar by Internews that sought to analyse the impact of the virus to the wildlife sector.

Waweru added that There has been a 98% drop in Non-Resident visitors coupled with an increase in threats of poaching of endangered species.

“We are noticing increased threats of transnational crime through porous borders which in turn has led to the escalation in Bushmeat poaching and associated crime and also an increase in Human Wildlife Conflicts, “he added.

This he attributed to the influx of people to the rural areas.

However, he cited that there have been plans to relaunch a new KWS.

 ‘’We intend to rebrand our products, modernize operations through the use of technology as a force multiplier.  We will also focus on strategic partnership, exploring other sources of revenue while strengthening communications and marketing with online webinars to engage general public among other ways.’’ He noted.

His views were echoed by the Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority, Sam Mwantha.

‘’ Travel restrictions curtailed movements of people across the globe. This in turn meant that tourism activities were suspended, tourist visitation into the national parks and reserves dropped to zero from a monthly average of 25,000 visitors which translated to disruption of revenue generation. In Uganda, we witnessed the collapse of most local economy, and unemployment and increased poaching and other illegal activities.’’ Said, Sam Mwantha. 

According to Mwantha, there has been an increase in poaching incidents in and around the parks, and handling wildlife criminal suspects is complex due to the need to minimize risks of spreading COVID-19.

“The same suspects are released on bail which presents a risk of re-engaging in poaching.’’ Cited Mwantha. 

Rwanda conservation expert Eugene Mutangana cited that the  wildlife department bore the brunt of the virus.

‘’Community support projects were suspended and only Law enforcement activities were sustained though at a lowered pace. Suspension of tourism activities was heavily impacted on different economic sectors in the country in the conservation and tourism product development activities which were mainly funded by tourism revenues. These are likely to reduce at 70-80% this year 2020 and the impact may last longer.’’ Said  Mungatana