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Balala eyes Sh100m in elephant adoption, naming scheme

Tuesday, June 15th, 2021 00:00 | By
Balala makes subtle appeal to serve in Ruto's government
Tourism CS Najib Balala. PHOTO/File

FUNDS: Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) aims to raise Sh100 million in the medium term, through naming of elephants within the Amboseli National Park ecosystem.

 The money will support mitigation measures against the elephant population challenges including habitat degradation, climate change, wildlife poaching and human wildlife conflicts. 

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala disclosed this when he launched the Magical Kenya Elephant naming festival official logo at the Amboseli National Park yesterday. 

“The funds are to be raised from individuals, corporates and donations with as low as Sh1,000 for individuals and Sh50,000 for corporations, “ he said. 

Under this arrangement, individuals will have a chance to adopt an elephant after contributing funds towards their conservation.

The foster parent (adopter) will then be given priority in choosing the first name of the elephant. The second name will be a Maasai name based on the animal’s profile, history, role in the family and physical attributes like state of tusks. 

Annual rate

Currently, Kenya boasts of over 34,000 Elephants, with the number increasing gradually at an annual rate of 2.8 per cent over the last three decades.

Balala directed the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to set aside an independent account that will be audited separately for the monies accruing from the fundraising exercise.

 Apart from funds, the naming ceremony also aims to raise awareness on the plight of elephants, rally support for conservation, and increase visitations to the Park.

The first batch of elephants born between 2020 and 2021, and two sets of twins will be named on August 12 during the World Elephant Day.     

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