Dr. Paula Kahumbu is one of the forces behind Kenya’s, and
by extension- Africa’s, wildlife conservancy movement. She says that, “If we
are serious about wildlife conservation, we have to accept that the African
leadership must be part and parcel of the fight against poaching.” Currently,
as many as 50,000 elephants every year are shot to satisfy the surging ivory
market, which is largely driven by China.
According to the Independent UK newspaper, at least 45
tonnes of ivory were sized in 2013, believed to be the biggest annual haul in
the last 25 years. In South Africa, about 1,000 rhinos were killed, a 50 per
cent increase on 2012. Dr. Kahumbu says that African leadership is still trying
to understand why wildlife conservation matters. Currently, the only people
making noise are non- African leaders.
By restricting the role of Africans to
being just field assistants, we are doing just as much damage as the poachers
and traffickers.” She says.
Dr. Kahumbu was mentored by Dr. Richard Leakey, and as
executive director of the conservation charity WildlifeDirect, she has been
central in campaigning for better law enforcement and a stronger judiciary.
When asked about her motivation, she says, “I’m a Kenyan;
that’s my country and my heritage. I can’t imagine not fighting for something I
believe in,” she said. “From spending so much time with elephants, I know they
are not just another animal. They are beings with personalities with families;
with feelings.”
Dr. Kahumbu is adamant that the recently held London
Conference will yield some results. Also, she believes the crisis cannot be
prevented by conservation alone, and a completely new way of thinking” is
needed. Still, Dr. Kahumbu concludes the interview with the Independent by
saying that, “Africa must not be seen as a lesser player in the wildlife
conservation efforts.” “The failure to put African leadership on equal terms as
Western scientists and world leaders would be a mistake.” Dr. Kahumbu believes
that the answer to containing poaching in Africa “includes looking at ports and
how we manage the movement of cargo; looking at police and how corrupt they
are; the legal infrastructure; and containing Chinese businesses operating in
Africa, many of which are a cover for trafficking ivory. In conclusion, Dr.
Kahumbu strongly calls for China to ban the domestic ivory trade, as the wealth
of the Chinese middle class and elite makes the acquisition of Ivory such an
important aspect.
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