Another rhino killed in Kenya

With an estimated 100 elephants being killed each day by poachers to meet the growing demand for ivory in Asia, Hong Kong has a record of 33 tonnes, or around 72,750 pounds of illegal ivory seized from smugglers.

In 2013 alone, the amount of ivory seized in was 44+ tonnes, or 97,000 pounds, and this is the highest amount in over 25 years! A decision has been passed by the Endangered Species Advisory Committee to INCINERATE these illegal ivory. {SOURCE:TreeHugger,2014}

With that said, Kenya has lost another Rhino at Nairobi National Park, and its carcass was found without its horns. SAY NO TO ELEPHANT POACHING AND ILLEGAL IVORY TRADE  

Liebster Award.

I am honored to be nominated for the Liebster award which is for up-and-coming blogs.Here are my answers to the interview questions given by my nominator, Beatrice Onyango who blogs at

 http://madamonyango.wordpress.com/

1. What does blogging do for you?

Blogging is my  unique platform to inform and educate my readers on the latest issues on the environment as well as a platform for me to learn as much as I can. The Leafy Agenda expands your knowledge on environment with fun facts and ideas for green living.

2. What blogger(s) feed your soul? Why?

 National Geographic, Eco-Grrl, TreeHugger and HealthyLiving Kenya.

Why? As every good environmentalist, I’m passionate about my environment. I also view my body as an environment hence try eat wholesome foods and exercise keeping this bodily environment healthy. It starts with me.

3. What is your favorite subject (category) to blog about?

Natural/Healthy Living and Conservation.

4. What post of yours means the most to you? Why?

Each post is unique in its own special way.

My favourite posts however, are those where I have an actual case study that goes hand in hand with the Blog post’s topic.

For instance, when writing about E-waste Recycling in Africa,(Recycling of E-waste in Kenya- Did you know?) the case study was the WEEE centre in Nairobi which tackles E-waste recycling in Kenya. On Solar Energy and Conservation, I visited the Nairobi Tented Camp (The Nairobi Tented Camp: Slice of Heaven at the heart of the Nairobi*), an eco-camp in the Nairobi National Park. On Healthy Living, I visited Naked Pizza in Nairobi (NAKED PIZZA: LIVIN’ NAKED*) . The posts where I can illustrate actual examples of people living green, makes a whole lot of difference, as the reader is able to relate and hopefully adopt these green practices.

5. When did you first start your blog and why?

I started blogging in October 2012. I had extensive experience  with great knowledge in environmental health, so the blog was an outreach  to pass this to others.

6. What do you hope your blog will someday become?  Who do you want to reach?

I want to reach the current generation to conserve what is today for the future generations. Someday the Leafy Agenda will be a referral for all things environment in Africa.

7. What are you most passionate about?

I believe it’s a God-given duty to take care of our environment. That’s what I’m passionate about.

8. If your writing were discovered a hundred years from now, what would people learn about you, today’s world, and your interests?

People would learn of my passion for environment, and that I feel compelled to leave a great legacy of a green earth for generations to come.

9. Who do you most want to read your blog?  Your mom?  The president?

The President, definitely! The young and old as well, particularly The Youth in Africa through the new feature, YOUTH IN AFRICA & AGRICULTURE.  that serves as a platform to help the youth to start their own farming projects hence curb the high unemployment rates they face, with great tips on how to practice sustainable agriculture.

10. Describe your writing process.

I must carry out a lot of research for every article that is posted on the Leafy Agenda. I identify a topic and learn the science behind it then look for  real-life examples that can illustrate and show the benefits of the topic addressed: Example: Clean-ups in Nairobi,  and why they are important. (Mazingira Safi Initiative: Keeping Kenya Clean. )

My nominees for the award are:

1. Dr. Wolfgang H. Thome at http://wolfganghthome.wordpress.com/
2. Healthy Living Kenya at http://healthylivingkenya.wordpress.com/
3. Aimee Fahey of EcoGrrl at http://ecogrrl.net/
4. Fashion Blogger Claire Ngunjiri at http://stylifiq.blogspot.com/

2013 ECO-WARRIORS OF KENYA.

The Leafy Agenda would like to salute and  celebrate the Eco-warriors of the Republic of Kenya for 2013. These are conservancies, community groups, hotels and lodges that focus on a sustainable, environmentally responsible  means to travel  without destroying nature. (See the article Eco-tourism in Kenya

The winners are as listed below. To note is GameWatchers Safaris whose The Nairobi Tented Camp: Slice of Heaven at the heart of the Nairobi* was featured on the Leafy Agenda. Congratulations to you all.

1. Conservancy of the Year 2013: Private Conservancy (for privately owned conservancies) – BORANA CONSERVANCY (Supported by Uhunzi Limited).
2. Conservancy of the Year 2013: Community Conservancy (community-owned conservancies) – ILNGWESI GROUP RANCH(Supported by Laikipia Wildlife Forum).
3. Ecotourism Enterprise of the Year 2013: Lodge – SEVERIN SEA LODGE (Supported by African Solar Design).
4. Ecotourism Enterprise of the Year 2013: Tented Camp – ELEPHANT PEPPER CAMP (Supported by Laki Laki Limited).
5. Ecotourism Enterprise of the Year 2013: Villas/ Holiday homes – MEDINA PALMS (Supported by Tourism Fund).
6. Ecotourism Enterprise of the Year 2013: Community based – KAKAMEGA ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (Supported by Laikipia Wildlife Forum).
7. Ecotourism Enterprise of the Year 2013: Tour and Travel Operator – GAMEWATCHERS SAFARIS LTD (Supported by Kenya Association of Tour Operators).
8. Ecotourism Enterprise of the Year 2013: Airline – AIR KENYA (Supported by Sun Africa Hotels).
9. Eco-Rated Facility of the Year 2013: SANCTUARY OLONANA.
10. Ecotourism Partnership of the Year 2013: SASAAB SAMBURU & WESTGATE CONSERVANCY
    (Supported by Ministry of East African Affairs Commerce & Tourism).
11. Ecotourism Journalist of the Year 2013: RUPI MANGAT (Supported by Ministry of East African Affairs Commerce & Tourism).
12. Ecotourism Student Innovation Award 2013: DAVID MWABILI & BILLY OYARO.
13. Ecotourism Training Program of the Year 2013: STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY (Supported by AFEW– Giraffe Centre).
14. Ecotourism Guide of the Year 2013: DERRICK NABAALA (Supported by Kenya Wildlife Trust).
15. Ecotourism Student Host Organization 2013: STATUNGA ECOTOURS (Supported by Ecotourism Kenya).

Keep it locked on the Leafy Agenda as we feature some of these Eco-heroes in the near future.

SAY NO TO ELEPHANT POACHING AND ILLEGAL IVORY TRADE

Did you know, that August 12^th is the World Elephant Day?

Kenya is home to the African Elephant, and there has been an uproar because of the poaching menace of the  Elephant which has been on the increase in Kenya , and in Africa as a whole.

The African Bush Elephant, of the genus  Loxodonta Africana is currently the largest land mammal on Earth. Also classified as the largest Proboscid from the taxonomical order Proboscidea, the Elephant weighs an average of 4.5 -7.8 tonnes and stands at 13-16 feet tall!

 

“THE ELEPHANT HAS TO DIE TO GIVE YOU THE IVORY.” -COURTESY OF KWS.

Conservation campaigns are many , backed with slogans such as “STOP THE BLOODY HORN TRADE” and “IVORY BELONGS TO THE ELEPHANTS” taking the day. The First Lady of the Republic of Kenya, H.E.  Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta is at the forefront of the elephant and wildlife conservation in light of the widespread wildlife animals’ poaching which threatening our already endangered species. Note that, poaching of the elephant and other wildlife animals is not only a threat to the tourism sector of Kenya, but is also endangers the heritage of our wild  Jungle in Africa.

Even the Rhino is endangered: Only 1,025 White Rhinos are left in Kenya today.

So, what can we do about this?

I met up with Wildlife Photographer Karue Wachira, who loves the wild and has a particular soft spot for the Elephants.

Wildlife Photographer Karue Wachira, at the Ivory Burning Site…pensive about the future of the  Elephant

To honour these docile and peaceable beauties of the wild, Karue has organized the “STOP IVORY TRADE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION”  in conjunction with the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) and the Sarova Salt Lick-Taita Hills- Tsavo, to help raise  awareness on the illicit nature of poaching and ivory trade. This anti-poaching campaign for the Elephant will be held at the  Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in the heart of Nairobi,from the 12th August 2013- you guessed right, on World Elephant Day.

Karue Wachira describes himself as an artist , an avid  traveler and a lover of poetry: Light is his ink and the camera his pen:  Light is his paint and the camera his brush.

Having grown up near a hill with a scenic waterfall, Karue’s sense of wander began as a little boy : He would often take posters of wildlife animals from the calendar , frame them and sell them. The former Graphics designer love for photography was harnessed through his love for nature. Always armed with this camera, Karue who began photography in 2011,hosted a “Butterfly Photography Expo” at  the Karura Forest, in which he says” I realized I had so many photos of the butterflies during my walks at the Karura Forest, sharing it with the world was inevitable”. Karue donated  30% of the proceeds from the sales to the Friends of Karura Forest towards conservation efforts of the forest.

The Elephant ,  Regal….Majestic..Wonderful

Why Elephants?

Through the #Tembea Kenya Initiative, a product of Kenya Tourism Board, Karue Wachira was able to traverse throughout the country from Samburu to Taita to the Maasai Mara. It is during these trips that He realised what he really wanted to do, and that is wildlife photography.

He describes the elephants as:

• Very strong yet very gentle.
• They are very friendly and will raise their trunk towards you to say Hi*
• When feeling threatened, they will warn you off their territory by first flapping their ears at you. If you don’t move off their territory, the Elephant will raise its trunk and trumpet, before it charges at you.
• The Matron (Mother Elephant) is very nurturing and will protect her calves at all costs.

DOCILE….AMIABLE…HOW THE ELEPHANT SAYS HI 🙂

Over the years, the African Elephant has been at risk of endangerment and its population is rapidly dwindling. Continuous Poaching for the Elephants is a practice that must come to halt in order to preserve these friendly and peaceful mammals. The Elephant Tusk is favoured for soft texture and is very durable. It  lacks the outer coating of enamel, which makes it excellent for carving ornaments and other prized possessions.

“Did you know, the Elephant has to die to give you the Ivory?” states a very concerned Karue.

The Kenya Wildlife Service indicates in the year 2013, Kenya has lost 137elephants as of August this year: Of these, 80 elephants were killed outside protected zones and  57 elephants were killed in protected zones such as National Parks .

The “STOP IVORY TRADE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION” is set to create awareness on poaching of the elephant and the illegality of the Ivory trade that will deplete the earth off the elephants if it doesn’t come to a stop. Karue Wachira will display several of his photographs that are up for sale at the Expo and 60% of the proceeds will go to “A Walk with the Rangers” conservation efforts by renown conversationalist Raabia Hawa.

More details on the “STOP IVORY TRADE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION”:

 

Entry is Free to the General Public.

Wonder why we need to  protect the elephant?

Here  is a sneak peek into the exceptional Photography by Karue Wachira. It is the centrepiece and message of the whole exhibition, and his reason for hosting the Exhibition. We need to preserve and protect our elephants, so that they do not walk towards the sunset of their life.

The Elephant walking towards the sunset… What symbolism!

Karue Wachira’s passion for the Elephant survival is evident, and lastly,He encourages us by this:

“DO YOUR SMALL THING FOR CONSERVATION. DONATE, SUPPORT, WORK IN THE CONVERSATION FIELD  IN ORDER TO PROTECT OUR ELEPHANTS AND WILDLIFE ANIMALS. OUR UNIQUE EFFORTS, TOGETHER, CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.”

See you at the Expo!

The Nairobi Tented Camp: Slice of Heaven at the heart of the Nairobi*

Ever felt like a “Kid in a candy store”?

Drinks and refreshments awaiting you…

Well, that’s how excited  I was, on my trip to the Nairobi Tented Camp.

Armed with my camera, notebook and definitely the wrong shoes 😛 , I walked into the Nairobi National Park, along Lang’ata Road in Nairobi, home to the Nairobi Tented Camp. And What originality, What tranquility i found – a slice of heaven set to offer you an unforgettable safari adventure right in the heart of the Central Business District.

Fondly referred to as the NTC, the Nairobi tented Camp is a traditional tented camp that began 5 years ago through an initiative between Mr. Guy Lawrence, Mr. Will Knocker and the Kenya Wildlife Service. Surrounded by vast savannah and thick forest,  Nairobi Tented Camp is an eco-tourist centre of strong conservation beliefs and is renown as the  only tented camp accommodation inside the Nairobi National Park!

Undisturbed, untainted…. the Nairobi Tented Camp.

Unveiling the Nairobi Tented Camp:

Karibu NTC!

The tented camp is managed by the GameWatchers Safaris Group, headed by Jake Grieves- Cook, and have promised to offer you an authentic  safari  experience in Nairobi, Kenya with low impact to the natural environment, and without compromising on the  quantity of fun you’ll have!

Nairobi tented Camp has 5 star ratings on eco-friendliness, cleanliness,service and staff at NTC,  with excellent reviews throughout the world; It is ranked as the #2 Bed and Breakfast  Inn in all Nairobi at TripAdvisor.com  and received their Traveller’s Choice 2013 Winner Award.

I had heard greatly of the eco-friendliness and unique blend that the  NTC has with the natural environment within the Nairobi National Camp. So I set out to visit the world-renowned gem in the heart of Nairobi that we Kenyans, might not be aware of 😦

The vast Nairobi National Park is home to diverse wildlife species …

I met Ms. Aleema and Ms. Chantal, both representatives from the GameWatchers Safaris  and Meshack, a third generation Maasai tour guide for our trip. To say I was excited is an understatement: I paid Ksh. 300.00 as entry fee for East African citizens into the park.

NB: You might need a 4X4 vehicle coming to the Nairobi Tented Camp, as no trees have been cut to pave way hence you need to meander in the wild, uneven paths although a route has been set so that you don’t get lost.

Voom! Voooooom ! NTC, here we come 🙂

CAUTION : You need to be ready with a good video/ camera for all the amazing wildlife you are bound to see 🙂

Kurelax nayo…

After a 30 minute ride of great conversation and sight-seeing,we got to the Nairobi Tented Camp…

TURN LEFT: Almost there….

The Visitor’s Lounge…

Looks like home, feels like home.

After a welcoming drink of choice, we took a stroll around the NTC camp. I found out there are 8 tents, strategically placed within the camp, for a maximum of two people per tent per night. The camp’s signature brown canvas tent are designed to give you that out-in-the-wild, camping feel in the heart of the Capital.

Nairobi Tented Camp is equipped with hot water showers and powered with electricity from the Solar power panels. Wildlife comes to your doorstep, literally,as curious monkeys come for a drink of water in the nearby river that is located a few meters from the camp  lounge.

We also saw a female bush-back observing us keenly (There is an opportunity for close interaction with the wildlife), docile buffaloes basking in the sun, hippos mating in the lukewarm water under the afternoon weather, not forgetting the  giraffes,lions, and rhinos you’ll get to see at the neighbouring active water points and an amazing array of indigenous trees and greenery to boot.

Excellent service.

Lots of Wildlife near the camp:

Good Monkey, don’t jump on my head 🙂

A look at the tented camps interior…  What modern amenities they have!

Entrance to your tented camp.. A sight to behold.

 

My Luggage is set, I’m ready to have my Safari Experience …

Aaaahhh… what comfort!

The Nairobi Tented Camp is proud to upholds its strict eco-policy that governs Responsible tourism practices within the camp. Through their environmental management programme,NTC  protects the  animals’ natural habitat at the park through the following steps :

1. The camp is fully mobile…yes, you read right! Nairobi Tented Camp is a semi-permanent camp made of  canvas tents that has minimal disturbance to the environment. Except for the tent pegs holding the canvas camping tent up, there are no other disturbances to the ground.
2. No tree was cut in the setting up of the Nairobi Tented Camp. All the wood used has been bought from commercial farmers. No tree has been fell, from the rugged road leading to the camp to the camp area itself  (No deforestation! )
3. The camp is self-sufficient: Its electricity needs are tendered to by Solar Power (Renewable energy) . They recently upgraded their solar power panels, how green!
4. All waste water (from the accommodation tents, mess areas and kitchen ) in the camp is collected into a central septic tank, treated and disposed off site. This prevents chance of sewage seeping into the environment.
5. Solid waste such as paper and garbage are collected and disposed off outside the National Park by the GameWatchers Safaris Team to avoid pollution at the natural reserve.  Cleaning and Ironing of ALL laundry is  also undertaken outside the park.
   
6. Bathing water is heated for you and put in 20 litre canvas bucket showers  to minimise water wastage in the camp.
7. Nairobi Tented Camp discourages bringing of bottled water into the camp to prevent accumulation of the plastic bottles at the camp. The  camp provides you with fresh spring water hence no need for plastic bottles.  NB: These plastic papers and bottles pose an inherent danger to the wildlife if left littering the wild, as they can be ingested by the animals thus causing digestive disorders and even suffocation to the animals.. do take care.

For those who enjoy birding, Nairobi Tented Camp is ideal for you: with various species of birds in the park, NTC is home to, among many other species, the  Turaco bird, which is a symbol of Royalty in some parts of Africa. For insect lovers out there, we managed to come across the Spiny orb weaver spider, of the Gasteracantha genus.

Can you spot it?

Spiny orb weaver , Nairobi Tented Camp, Kenya.

DID YOU KNOW?

GameWatchers Safaris currently have an ongoing offer for residents at only Ksh. 8,500 /= per person on Half Board Basis (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast)! That means a night in the heart of the wild untamed Nairobi National Park, inclusive of excellent food and bush dinners from Chef Silas, sun downers, walks in the pack, and a picnic and/or a night  game drive can be arranged for you by NTC’ s manager, Mr. Hubert.

So the next time you are in Nairobi, or are in search of  a weekend outing plan, stop by the Nairobi Tented Camp and experience luxury and comfort,the Kenyan style.

PS: When you get there, do say hi to the resident Rhino and her calf, namely Joanne and baby J respectively 🙂

Keep it locked on the Leafy Agenda!

Sun downers at Nairobi Tented Camp: Paradise *

(Photos, Courtesy of GameWatchers Safaris.)