Kenya calls for wildlife protection in climate negotiations
Kenya is pushing for wildlife conservation to be included in international climate change talks, following devastating impacts of the 2022 drought on the country's wildlife population. More than 1,000 animals died during that period, including wildebeest, zebras, and elephants.
Wildlife Secretary Dr Shadrack Ngene highlighted Kenya's role in protecting 19 percent of its land through parks, reserves and community conservancies, home to over 25,000 animal species. The country aims to expand community conservancies from 11 to 20 percent by 2030 to enhance carbon sinks and promote sustainable tourism.
Speaking at a session on Nationally Determined Contributions, Ngene emphasised wildlife's crucial role in climate mitigation. He cited research showing forest elephants in the Congo basin can boost carbon sequestration by seven percent.
Kenya is developing a Climate Action Plan for its wildlife sector, with a national adaptation plan set to launch next year. The initiative comes as the country conducts its second phase of national wildlife census, following a 2021 count that recorded 36,280 elephants, 897 black rhinos, and 2,589 lions among other species.
The government previously had to provide emergency feeding for endangered species like the Grevy's zebra during severe drought conditions.
Source: The Star
