Baraza

The outpourings of grief and sorrow, memories and wishes for the family left behind after Zahoor Kashmiri’s passing on our previous post are overwhelming. Just before he left for Ethiopia, Kashmiri dropped offs some photographs for us to create his wildlife veterinary blog and promised  to complete the process on his return. Nobody could have guessed that one of the elephants he was darting would eventually kill him.

Though we are all still grieving, his death must not shatter that dream, we (WildlifeDirect) have decided to create a special blog in his name to carry on his legacy, to raise funds that will enable wildlife vets anywhere to respond to emergencies and continue his amazing work. We want to thank those who have already made committments towards this.

Our target will be to create a fund of at least $10,000 that wildlife veterinarians can apply for in the events of wildlife emergencies and rescues, as well as for education bursary for one vet per year.

Though most people ignore common species like buffalo, to Kashmiri every injured animal deserve attention. This was in the Masai Mara a few years ago.

He was a mentor for many new vets,  a collaborator with authorities and conservationists, a donor and a volunteer – never asking for any compensation. I don’t think Kenya has grasped the significance of this loss.

Kashmiri worked closely with Ann Kent Taylor who runs the Ann Kent Taylor Fund that supports a team of rangers who work with the Mara Triangle anti poaching and desnaring exercises. She often called on him to help injured wildlife in the Mara. Going along with him was always a great adventure.

Kashmiri also helped famous people like Jonathan Scott from BBC’s Big Cat Diary on lion and cheetah rescues. He never bragged about it.

I will be in personal debt to Kashmiri for everything he did to save Owen and Mzee

This photo is in the book Owen and Mzee. Without Kashmiri, Owen would have jumped out of the truck and injured if not killed himself. In typical style, Kashmiri just grabbed the baby hippo and ordered others around to come back and to tie him down.

He was a crack shot at darting – I never saw him miss a mark.

All of us at WildlifeDirect wish to express our sincere condolences to the entire family and all of Zahoor Kashmiri’s great network of friends.  His body may be gone but his spirit will always be with us.

Many of you have other photos of this great man that I’m sure you’d like to share. We will be announcing the new blog shortly and the location where you can post your favourite Kashmiri, Zorro, Zul,  Moppi, Babu, Zahoor, Mamu … photos and videos for all to enjoy. Be safe. Paula