Baraza

Wanda, Atlanta, on 29 May 2008

All bad news — world over — sad state of affairs for wildlife!

Jan, on 29 May 2008

This is devastating news for Amboseli. The Maasai themselves have admitted they don’t have the knowledge or capability of running the biosphere park. They have for years been killing the elephants and lions. I stay there for a week every February and a week every August and have seen the speared elephants on numerous occasions. Last year not only did they kill a pride of lions, but also clubbed the cubs to death.

If this is true thousands of people will be moving into the area to try and get a piece of the financial pie, leaving even less room for wildlife.

Not only will they be able to put KWS out whenever they wish, but they will also be able to “blackmail” the lodges and if they don’t get the money the want put them out also.

Let’s hope that the court case will not be cancelled and that saner minds will prevail.

Daniel, on 30 May 2008

Baraza–

You are not dreaming at all, if you are, your dreams are for good fortune for Kenya, the Maasai, tourists and our wildlife. It’s been a long time coming for such innovative ideas that not only benefit the communities surrounding the game parks and reserves but also to provide critical resources for sustainability and conservation. There is a huge potential in the value chain enhancement and diversification in the tourism sector outside the traditional hotels and safari tours. Good dreams.

Daniel Mutai
Oklahoma, USA

Colleen, on 02 Jun 2008

of course I know nothing but will put it out there that the story of this organic clothing guy was inspiring and an example of how private sector helped people and wildlife? More of these ventures .. wrestle Kenya out of the hands of greedy international corporations in bed with government who just want to pillage
check this fellow out.
http://www.wildlifeworks.com
pretty inspiring success story in Kenya
He might have some ideas too, i.e., the dude that runs it.

limpopocarnivores, on 03 Jun 2008

I think some sort of private sector control is great. Conservation initiatives MUST be economically stable if they are to be sustainable long term. Some care needs to be taken that the system is both economically and ecologically sound though as it may easy to swing too far in one direction. There are some places in SA that have many carnivores on small areas and just buy in more game every year for them to eat with the money generated by the tourism, but this isnt great either. I consider those places to be businesses, staight out, not conservation initiatives. Thats fine if they call themselves that, but I think you must call a spade a spade in those circumstances.

Judy in CA, on 03 Jun 2008

This is shocking news. This park is one of Kenya’s jewels and home to the world’s most famous elephants. If this park is being abandoned by KWS, shame on the government. Obviously, KWS is not sharing tourist dollars with locals and now walking away? Amazing. If only Leakey could take charge of KWS like he did in the past. So much corruption and mismanagement now at the expense of wildlife. No tourist dollars at all if this park is destroyed. Kenya parks have lost so much in the past few years. Hearing about poisoned of lions in the Mara and now this. Horrible. I am so sad.
Judy in CA

Xavier, on 05 Jun 2008

It is so sad and terrible to see how all those African governments, the more they are supposed to grow up the more corrupted they get and the worst their countries are getting…this is just desperating….they dont give a damm about their wildlife, cultural tribes heritages, people having no food at all….sad, sad, sad, and the worst is that they are proving to many, that once the western people are out, all they get is their own people acting worst and getting the highest rates of corruption ever…..please how can we all stop the most beautiful continent of the world from suicide ??!!