|
|
|
|
|
|
Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE January 31, 2006
|
|
| site design imagesparkle.com |
| January 20, 2006 |
Mombasa, Kenya – Visit to an Elephant Orphanage in East Tsavo Wildlife Reserve |
|
| |
 |
| Elephants are one of the many large mammals that roam freely in Kenya |
Peace Boat’s arrival to mainland Africa brought out plenty of excitement and curiosity from everyone onboard. As our global voyage focuses on the mechanisms of poverty and the economic plight of countries in the Global South, Kenya provided our first example in one of the most destitute regions of the world, Sub-Saharan Africa. The problematic, however, can be explored through several case studies. And in Kenya, one of the world’s most diversely populated areas with regards to undomesticated fauna, the predicament of wild animals has a direct correlation with our planet’s socio-economic issues. |
site design imagesparkle.com |
 |
| Fortunate participants witness a rare event as a herd of elephants crosses their path |
Most participants were eager to partake in a safari. The opportunity to observe such diverse wildlife in its utmost natural state is an experience the majority did not want to miss. So, a natural choice for many was to head for Africa’s second largest wildlife reserve: Tsavo National Park. Only a couple hours from the port city of Mombasa, Tsavo holds 324 different bird species as well as 92 different animals, from which lions, cheetahs, rhinoceros, and elephants can be relatively easily identified. |
| |
 |
| Mr. Jackson King’oo displays an elephant bone with an entry wound from a semi-automatic weapon |
Established in 1948 while under British rule, the Park is split in eastern and western halves by the Mombasa-Nairobi railway and highway. Perhaps the colonists were well intended in preserving the natural habitat, but by doing so, thousands of indigenous groups were displaced and their knowledge of the sustainable management of resources were ignored. In other words, former dwellers of Tsavo were forced to live in shanty towns which developed on the periphery of the Park, and the European concept of conservation was rejected by such groups. Having had their land taken from them, food resources removed, and launched into an economically deprived society, many turned to poaching ivory in order to survive. Eventually, the money became an inevitable temptation, and poaching turned into big business. |
| |
 |
| Both adult bulls and cows have been the victims of poachers seeking their ivory tusks |
In 1969, 40,000 elephants roamed the savannahs of Tsavo. But by 1989, only 5,000 were left. The scenario had become exceedingly alarming. Especially since elephants are highly intelligent mammals which function in complex social structures, very similar to humans. A rigid matriarchal system passes on knowledge to the young ones regarding water resources, foraging, as well as migration patterns. And, as poachers mostly target older adults for their tusks, young orphaned calves have no chance to survive for long in the wild. |
| |
 |
| Warehouse holding the remains of nearly 9,000 elephants, mostly killed by poachers |
The international community finally took notice, and in 1989 several measures were taken in an attempt to save the African Elephant from extinction. Ivory bans were passed in many countries, and African nations revamped their wildlife acts and organizations. In Kenya, the Wildlife Management Division (WMD), infamous for its internal corruption and oppressiveness towards indigenous groups, was completely dismantled. And the new Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) became an exemplary agency. The fight against poachers became a violent affair, but the KWS patrols have become quite successful. In addition, preservation programmes such as elephant orphanages were created. |
| |
 |
| A keeper at the Voi Rehabilitation Center feeds a two-year old orphaned calf |
A group of Peace Boat participants visited the Voi Rehabilitation Center in East Tsavo, which includes 22 young orphaned elephants. Here the calves are cared for, fed, protected, and slowly reintroduced into a wild community which will accept them. The exceptionally complicated social system became obvious for many visitors from our group, as the young are given freedom to go out and make friends with calves from other herds during the day. But around 5 pm, the orphans return home to the Rehabilitation Center on their own, quite aware that playtime is over. Eventually, after years of developing social skills, a herd will accept them and they simply won’t return.
|
| |
 |
| Peace Boat participants at the Voi Rehabilitation Center in East Tsavo National Park |
Mr. Jackson King’oo, one of the head researchers at the Center, explained the presence of an older wild cow named “Emily”. She is truly an exemplary case of the Center’s success, as she was brought in as a one month-old calf 12 years ago. Having been reintroduced into the wild last year, she still returns once or twice a week in order to visit the younger calves she left behind. Hence, she maintains her status as matriarch of the orphanage. Many Peace Boat participants were truly touched by such beautiful bonds among such remarkable animals. |
| |
 |
| Erica Habuki, left, preparing to interpet Mr. Jackson King’oo’s lecture |
Despite still being poached and on the endangered list, African Elephants have made a sound recovery. The population of elephants in Kenya now stands at 11,000: which is 6,000 more than 15 years prior. Thanks to organizations like the Voi Rehabilitation Center and certain initiatives from agencies like the KWS, the true roots of the poaching cycle are being addressed. Education programmes have been implemented in the surrounding communities, and alternative methods of income generation are a priority. But Jackson King’oo definitely made it clear that awareness outside Africa was still essential. As he stated: “if there wasn’t a foreign market for ivory, there simply would be no poaching.” |
| |
|
|
|
