Save Amboseli Update: 13
OCTOBER 2005
***Press release***
Kenya’s National Parks appear
to be facing a serious crisis. Repercussions that followed
last week’s announcement that Amboseli National Park
is to be downgraded to a National Reserve, are spreading across
Kenya, with several other County Councils requesting that
National Parks in their areas be degazetted.
According to reports received by Born Free,
Chyulu Hills National Park, in the south-east of Kenya, which
was awarded National Park status only 5 years ago, has been
occupied by members of the local community, demanding that
they reclaim control over the Park
Nyeri County Council has also reportedly applied
to have the Aberdares National Park degazetted, while several
communities from Coast Province, have asked that seven of
the National Parks in the Province, including Tsavo, Shimba
Hills, Arabuko Sokoke and Malindi/Watamu, be placed under
their control.
The Born Free Foundation is among a number of
wildlife organisations in Kenya that are seriously concerned
about the way that this situation appears to be spiralling
out of control.
“Degazetting a National Park should not
be a decision which can be made overnight without due consideration
and consultation with all stakeholders, including local community
leaders, Kenya Wildlife Service, environmental experts and
those involved in the tourism industry,” stated Will
Travers, CEO of the Born Free Foundation. “I am not aware
of any such consultation having taken place”.
Many believe the order to degazette Amboseli
National Park was made illegally. Yesterday, a Plea, challenging
the decision, was accepted by the High Court in Nairobi. The
High Court will now consider this appeal, and has ordered
that the Kenyan Tourism and Wildlife Ministry, the Kenya Wildlife
Service and Olkeijiado County Council appear before the Court
to present their case on 25th October.
“I am hopeful that the court process will
give everyone the time they need to properly consider this
critical moment in Kenya’s history” continued Mr
Travers. “As a lifelong friend of Kenya and on behalf
of an organisation that has been working in co-operation with
the people of Kenya for decades to help protect its wildlife
heritage, I urge all concerned to pause and consider the implications
of this precipitous action.”
Thousands of people have already expressed their
anxiety as events unfold by visiting http://www.saveamboseli.net
, which regularly publishes latest information on what is
rapidly becoming a matter of global conservation significance.
For further information, contact:
Shirley Galligan,
PR Director,
Born Free Foundation
+44-(0)207 792 9668
Shelley Waterland,
Born Free Foundation
+44-(0)1403-240-170
Alice Owen,
Born Free Nairobi Office
+00-254-20-3753939