Save Amboseli Update - 22nd November
****STOP PRESS****
"At this point in time, with
half the votes counted, 58% have voted 'no' and 42% have voted
'yes'. Predictions are very firmly indicating that the referendum
has been rejected. It has been announced that President Kibaki
will make a statement to the nation and that there is likely
to be a Cabinet reshuffle. So what will this mean? We do not
know what this will mean entirely but we hope that it may lead
to a full reconsideration of the ill-advised decisions that
were taken in haste before the referendum."
For the latest on the referendum
we suggest:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4455538.stm
Dear Friends,
The media coverage concerning the Thai Zoo Deal (see
this link) has been enormous and the depth of public concern
- from all corners of the globe - phenomenal. Plans by the Government
of Thailand to serve up some of the species on their import
list (giraffe for example) together with others such as lion,
tiger and elephant - not to mention dog - have drawn international
condemnation and I hear, today, that such plans are being hastily
reviewed and revised. Crocodile is still on the menu but as
far as I can tell, and in response to the sheer weight of criticism, everything
else is off. Follow this link for the
latest on Chiang Mai >
Thank goodness. It shows that sometimes speaking out does change
things. I just hope that when it comes to the actual export
itself the proposal is abandoned too.
Obviously things have been somewhat quieter on the Amboseli
National Park front pending the next High Court hearing scheduled
for the 24th November.
Looking at the options I can see really only two possible outcomes
(if we discount any further acts of illegality):
a) The Government withdraw the proposal and the Park remains
under its current status. I certainly think this would be the
best outcome although I feel - as many of you do - that a far
greater effort should then be made to spread the undoubted benefits
that Amboseli National Park generates throughout the local communities
and stakeholders.
b) That the Government withdraw the proposal but then instigate
proceedings to carry out the degazetting following due legal
process. This option could create many problems if it was aproved
but at the very least it would allow the citizens of Kenya,
concerned individuals around the world and Kenya's National
Assembly the opportunity to comment and, if necessary, challenge
such a process.
I shall be in Kenya on the 24th November and hope to attend
the High Court that day to see proceedings for myself and I
will, of course, report back to this site immediately with any
developments.
Once more, thanks to the many thousands of people who check
http://www.saveamboseli.net
each and every day. My apologies that updates have been less
frequent of late - preparing to address the issue of mass
elephant culling in southern Africa, the use of wild animals
in circuses, the import of wild-caught birds into the EU and
the Thai Zoo Deal - amongst others - have kept me tied up.
To those who have kindly donated funds to help defray the considerable
costs of the legal action - a huge thank you. We have covered
about 20% of costs to date so that is a significant help.
Anyone wishing to assist further please do send me an email
at traverswill@yahoo.co.uk
.
Best wishes!
Will