Kenya to Celebrate World Wildlife Day 2025 at Lake Bogoria, Baringo County

Kenya will host this year's global celebration of World Wildlife Day (WWD) 2025 at Lake Bogoria in Baringo County on March 3rd.

Under the theme "Wildlife Conservation Finance: A Shared Future for Wildlife and Sustainable Livelihoods," the national celebrations will highlight Kenya's innovative approaches to securing long-term funding for protecting biodiversity while improving local livelihoods and supporting community development.

Speaking ahead of the celebrations, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano noted the profound importance of wildlife conservation in Kenya, which she described as a national priority.

"As we know, Kenya's wildlife is more than just a treasure — it's our heritage, our pride, and our future," Miano said. "This World Wildlife Day, we come together in Baringo County to celebrate the beauty of our natural world and the lives it sustains."

She emphasized that the ministry has partnered with communities and other stakeholders to ensure concerted efforts for wildlife conservation as the country strives for sustainable development. "From innovative financing models, like Payments for Ecosystem Services to community-led initiatives, we're building a future where both people and nature thrive."

"But we can't do it alone. It's time for all of us — governments, private sector, communities, and individuals — to take action. Because when we invest in wildlife, we invest in our planet, our people, and our future,” CS Miano urged.

Principal Secretary for Wildlife Silvia Museiya emphasized Kenya's commitment to balancing conservation and community needs through sustainable financing models. She highlighted the crucial role of Baringo County in this endeavor, emphasizing its abundant biodiversity, notably at Lake Kamnarok National Reserve.

"Baringo County's role as the host is pivotal, given its rich biodiversity, including the Lake Kamnarok National Reserve which is home to a large elephant population and many other wildlife species. We aim to tap into the potential of national reserves to benefit county revenues and uplift local communities, recognizing their crucial role in wildlife conservation."

As home to Lake Bogoria, a UNESCO-designated Ramsar site, Baringo County harbors some of Kenya’s most precious biodiversity. The lake's alkaline waters draw thousands of lesser flamingos and provide sanctuary for iconic species like the greater kudu, fish eagles, and the endangered Rothschild's giraffe.

Beyond Lake Bogoria, Baringo boasts diverse ecosystems, including Lake Baringo, Lake Kamnarok National Reserve, and community conservancies. These support elephants, patas monkeys, rare giant pangolins, and more, cementing Baringo's status as a globally vital biodiversity hotspot.

On his part, Baringo County Governor Benjamin Cheboi welcomed the celebrations, stating: "We are honored to host World Wildlife Day and showcase how conservation must be a collaborative effort between government, private sector, communities and other stakeholders to preserve our natural heritage and generate sustainable revenues."

In the same way, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga called on stakeholders to embrace innovative financing models that support wildlife conservation. He added that KWS remains vigilant and responsive to evolving financing mechanisms that can augment biodiversity resources such that they endure for posterity.

Kenya’s wildlife is a national treasure, contributing significantly to the economy through tourism and supporting millions of livelihoods. However, challenges such as habitat loss, climate change, and human-wildlife conflict threaten this natural heritage. Addressing these challenges requires innovative financing mechanisms that ensure long-term investment in conservation while benefiting local communities.

World Wildlife Day, observed annually on March 3rd, spotlights the planet's wild flora and fauna and the need for their preservation. Kenya’s national celebrations reaffirm the country’s position as a global leader in wildlife conservation and its commitment to a future where people and wildlife thrive together.

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of CITES, the event reinforces Kenya's role in regulating wildlife trade and protecting endangered species as a treaty signatory.

The Baringo celebrations will bring together government officials, conservation partners, community representatives, and stakeholders in the wildlife and tourism sectors.