Come adopt our animals like Bolt did, KWS urge top WRC drivers
A week after the iconic Safari Rally made a grand return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) series, Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) officials have made a passionate appeal to top drivers to adopt endangered animals in the country.
Citing the example of World 100m record holder, Jamaican Usain Bolt who in 2009 adopted a three month old Cheetah as part of an effort to boost the Kenyan conservation efforts of its famous wildlife, KWS top brass believe similar partnership with renowned racing drivers will go along way in the conversation measures.
Wildlife Research and Training Institute Principal Patrick Omondi says animals whose survival is threatened by trophy hunting, climate change and human encroachment must be protected.
“It will be great to have someone like seven-time world champion Sebastian Ogier coming to Kenya and adopting one of our animals.
We have orphans of Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs in the orphanage, they should come and adopt, before next rally,” urged Omondi who said the monies from such initiatives will be used to protect Kenya’s endangered species.
He added that the KWS played a major role in promoting the rally across the globe, an effort that should be lauded and supported by all.
“KWS is managing a very fragile resource, that needs to be managed properly.
We definitely want the partnership to continue for many years. We want to implore the world to come and see our natural habitat,” he added.
This comes at a time the World motorsport governing body FIA is taking action to develop and improve environmental sustainability across motoring and motor sport.
“ The FIA Action for Environment strategy seeks out and promotes environmental solutions for all our sporting and mobility clubs, as well as event organisers, teams and championships.
That is something we want to see happen because we were thorough before and after the rally, “ he added.
In a postmortem of the recently concluded rally, Omondi is certain the event was a huge success in many aspects.
