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LEGEND

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CAMP OFFICES.

Action for Biodiversity Conservation

NATURE KENYA, P. 0. Sox 44486, Nairobi. Tel: 749957 / 746090 Fax: 741049 E-mail: eanhs©africaonline.co.l<e

Unfortunately the experimental lifting of the ivory ban has had
a detrimental effect on elephants in the other 30 range states
across the continent, and in India. Reports of increased
poaching across the continent have been coupled with hard
evidence of ivory seizures. The old illegal trade routes are
opening up again and ivory is moving. In Kenya alone, the
proportion of all elephant deaths due to poaching has risen to
51% (KWS Status of Kenya’s Elephants Report, 1999).
Although this is nothing close to the slaughter of the 80’s, it
marks the beginning of a worrying trend.

In Central and West Africa where security and monitoring are
crippled by lack of funds, the situation is more serious. In the
south, Zimbabwe is meant to have strict controls on poaching
and movement of ivory has been reported to have 11.25%
mortality in the Zambezi Valley Floor and Dande Safari Area.

continued on page 2

Monday 10 .April "00. 5:30 p.m.
at the National Museums of Kenya,
.Archaeology Department, in the .Administration Bldg,
past the Louis Leakey statue

SUC^VL-^TA

Talk on Plectranthus

Saturday 1 April, 10:00 a.m.

By Catherine Lukhoba, a plant systematist at Nairobi
University. Venue: Nairobi Botanic Garden office
situated beyond the front of the National Museum on
the right hand side as the road goes to the left.

Catherine Ngarachu

Whf/vrs N^wi

IVORY TRADE FUNDS LANDMINES

Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species
(CITES) 10- 20 April ‘00

As many of you already know the ivory trade once again
threatens the African elephant.

Between 1979 and 1989 Africa lost over half her elephant
population to the ivory trade, a reduction in numbers from 1.3
million to 600,000. In 1989 as an extreme emergency measure
African elephants were up listed to Appendix I of the
Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).

A total ban on ivory together with increased security reduced
poaching dramatically so that it became almost negligible. The
cease-fire on elephants lasted for 10 years.

In 1997 the elephants in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe
were down listed to Appendix II and the countries were allowed
an experimental trade of 50 tonnes of stockpiled ivory with
Japan. This was agreed under the strict condition that a
monitoring system would be put in place to study the effect of
the experiment on illegal killing of elephants in the rest of the
continent. To date this monitoring system has not been put in
place.

vipeos

Paleo - anthropology Talk

iru)lu<Jing a tour of the Ardhaeoiogy Dept, collections

SUREGin-A5ILLE
Volcanic Uplnnds

Fossil Sites around Koobi Fora

NOTE: Nature Kenya officials will be
attending the CITES meeting as observers.
Unfortunately it has been difficult to get any
definate information on public attendance
and daily rates. If you wish to attend any
session try contacting UNEP by phone
(621234) or email (cites@unep.ch).

continued from the front page

This is between 3 - 8% above the natural
mortality rate and indicates a declining
population (WWF SARPO report, Dec
1999).

Kenya, who lost approximately 88% of her
elephants in the 70’s and 80’s and India have
put forward a proposal to up list all African
elephants to Appendix 1.

This is because any ivory trade at all signals
to the world that it is open season on the
elephants and will trigger an explosive
demand for ivory in the Far East. If we
allow trade in ivory we risk a renewed
holocaust on elephants. We have seen this
happen before and we must not let it happen
again.

Kenya and India need your support. I urge
you to do all that you can to help the
elephants. In our modern world of 6 billion
human beings, 600,000 African elephants is
a sad figure. Please help us to save the
elephants.

- You can raise funds and send them to the
Ele-Action Initiative, c/o Kenya Wildlife
Service, P.O. Box 40241. Nairobi, Kenya;

- You can start your own campaign to raise
awareness, talk in schools, and get petitions
together, lobby conservation groups to
clearly stale their positions regarding the
ivory trade and up listing of elephants;

■ Lobby to burn ivory stockpiles;

■ You can ask for airtime on television and
radio to talk about the elephant issue.

Please look at the Ele-Action Initiative web
site for more information at
www.burnivory.org or the Kenya Wildlife
Service web site at www.kws.com.

Spread the word.

Saba Douglas-Hamilton
saba7 @earthlink.net

flora

Summary of Proposals for Amendment

There are 21 plant proposals with only one affecting plants in Kenya. This one proposal
is to remove all Ceropegia species from Appendix II. The genus Ceropegia is estimated
to have about 200 species occurring in probably more than 50 countries. Most
of them are listed as rare or endangered in the 1997 lUCN Red
List of Threatened Plants.

Ceropegia species were put on Appendix II in 1979
and include all species of Ceropegia as a genus worldwide.

The proposal to remove them from Appendix II is based on the
argument that most of those traded are from artificially
propagated specimens. But there are other criteria for listing a
species on Appendix II. For instance, when in doubt or not sure
of the status of a species, in the interest of conservation of that
species which may be threatened by trade, it can be listed as a
precautionary measure. This is the case with Ceropegia in East
Africa where some species are yet to be named.

In Kenya, there are about 30 species of Ceropegia, some of
which are attractive, and of interest to collectors. The status of many in
the wild is not known and it would be preferred to leave the genus on
Appendix II for their protection. Kenya, opposes the proposal to remove
Ceropegia species from Appendix II

6orn frc-c-P^fi-Mon

STOP THE UN FROM
LIFTING SANCTIONS
ON THE IVORY TRADE

UN may lift sanctions on the ivory
trade

The South African authorities are
lobbying the United Nations to get
sanctions on the trade in ivory lifted.
Over the last 100 years the
.African elephant population has fallen
from over 10 million to just
400,000 due to this trade. Elephants
are being slaughtered at the rate
of one an hour. If the sanctions are
lifted this figure will rocket.

Please help to stop this happening by

signing the Born Free petition and

forwarding this message to:

http://www.bornfree.org.uk/

stoptheclock/petition.htm

when the number of names listed

below reaches 20.

You may also fax your 20-name
petition to Nature Kenya, 02 - 741049,
and we will forward it by e-mail.

Tor-toFo

(Malacochersus tornieri)

The Pancake Tortoise has a relatively limited
distribution in East Africa, from Njoro east
to Malindi in Kenya, southward into
Tanzania. The distribution has been
described as fragmented, discontinuous and
irregular. Populations of the Pancake
Tortoise are confined to suitable habitat
consisting of arid scrub and thornbush
thickets with abundant boulders, flat rocks,
and rocky outcrops on low hills and savannas
at altitudes up to 1800 m. The species has
specific micro-habitat requirements that
include deep rock crevices that taper back
from the entrance to heights of 5 cm, or less
and which allow easy access to the ground
below. Pockets of suitable habitat are
widely separated from one another by
expanses of unsuitable and unoccupied
habitat. Unlike other animals, pancake
tortoises do not wander far from these
isolated patches of suitable habitat and
populations are thus less capable of re¬
colonizing depopulated areas. In Kenya
populations are threatened by clearance of
thorn scrub for agricultural purposes. When
live specimens are collected for trade their
rock crevices are destroyed, causing
localized habitat destruction.

The proposal from Kenya is to
transfer the Pancake Tortoise from Appendix
II (regulated trade allowed) to .Appendix I
(no commercial trade allowed).

2

coMisAirrees amp ri^oj^rs

ACTIVITIES

IMroi^TANT dll^P A^AS

LAUNCH OF IBA DIRECTORY

Thursday 27 April from 6;00 p.m.

If you would like to attend there are limited spaces
available and you will need to book with the office.

The Directory is available from the office 9 1000/-

SU(::^UU^TA NP-WS HAStt

Kenya Horticultural Society
Plant Sale

Saturday 8 April, 10:00 a.m. in the Parfitt Garden, 226
Karen Road.KHS and Succulenta members and their friends
welcome.

There will be a separate Succulenta section at this sale.

Succulenta members, wishing to sell their plants please

label and price them and be there in person to sell them.

Please bring them on the Friday. Any queries to Carin

Parfitt on 882827

ACnVITES

LAKE TURKANA SAFARI

18 - 24 April

To answer some queries from participants:

* Bring your sleeping bag (mattresses are provided
and drinking water is available).

* Bring your own towel, touch, and hiking shoes.

* Fuel is available at Sigor, 7 kms from Marich Pass
and at Lodwar.

* Vehicles can be parked at the Jade Sea Journeys
base at Kalokol.

* Directions: Nairobi - Nakuru - Eldoret - Iten Road-
Kapenguria - Marich.

* On the first day we will have a coffee/ tea stop at
Nakuru but bring a picnic lunch.

Try to attend the Paleoanthropology Talk which will be a

good briefing on the sites you are to visit at Koobi Fora.

TREE WALK
THE APRIL
ARBORETUM GUIDED
TREE WALK WILL
NOT TAKE PLACE AS
IT COINCIDES WITH
EASTER MONDAY.

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DECLARATION . Nature
Kenya does not accept any
responsibility whatsoever in
respect of negligence of any
of its staff, volunteers or
members organising the
outings/trips or for any for
loss, injury, death or
damage to property.

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LOOKlHQi AWEAP

East Africa Natural History
Society

Annual General Meeting

»^onday 12 June '00 at the Louis
Leakey M. Hall

Convention of Biological
Diversity, 15 - 26 May 2000
NE5 Contact: Mr. Ndonye, Mr.
Kinuthia, Mr. Masinde, Bruce
House, 10th Floor,
phone 242569 or 24308J

vip^

Do you have any great action shots of birds,
plants, mammals etc. on video or film?

Would you donate some to NatureKenya to
be used in a promotional video?

If you can help, please speak to Catherine at
the Nature Kenya office.

P 3 /!-A'fn<L' 3 Ki Ornlfholo^c-al

3-8 September 2000, Uganda
Organised by Nature Uganda

Congress Objectives

Further the study of African birds
Promote the preservation of African birds
Foster the appreciation of birds
Information dissemination

Registration Deadline: 30 June

Copies of the Registration Form are available from the
Nature Kenya office. Please collect these copies
personally or send a self addressed stamped envelope.

3

FUNDAMENTALS OF
ORNITHOLOGY

A course for bird guides and birders
Elsamere Field Studies Centre, Lake
Naivasha

27 /April - 4 May 2000
Organised by Ornithology Department,
National Museums of Kenya
A Nature Kenya (the East Africa
Natural History Society)

'Fundamentals of Ornithology' is a
course designed for birders (both
professional and amateur) who want to
improve their understanding of birds
and their skills in the field. It is an
intensive, residential course, on the
shores of Lake Naivasha. Teaching will
be through illustrated lectures
(including discussion sessions and
short practical exercises); group
seminars, demonstrations. We try to
create an informal environment where
participants can share their existing
knowledge. Participants' progress will
be monitored by continual informal
assessment. Those who perform to the
instructors' satisfaction will receive a
Certificate in Ornithology issued by
the National Museums of Kenya.

Objectives

Participants can expect to gain the
following knowledge and skills:

(1) Reliable identification techniques
that can be applied anywhere

(2) A solid general knowledge of bird
evolution, classification, behaviour and
ecology

(3) A good overview of bird
distribution and conservation

(4) A better understanding of the
interests and needs of birdwatching
visitors

(5) The ability to give interesting,
detailed and well-rounded background
information on birds seen anywhere in
the country

(6) An enhanced sense of
professionalism and confidence.

Course fees: 19000/- on first come
first served basis.

Registration Deadline: 20 April '00
Contact: Anthony Kuria, Nature Kenya

AFRICAN TROPICAL BIODIVERSITY
PROGRAMME FIELD TRAINING IN
COLLECTION-BASED CONSERVATION
BIOLOGY

This year’s course will target medicinal
plants and those taxa particularly sensitive
to forest disturbance; small mammals, birds,
amphibians, fish, beetles,, butterflies/moths,
trees and lower plants.

Note: Successful applicants must be
prepared for five weeks of rigorous field
training.

The programme is designed for:

1. Those pursuing M.Sc. or Ph.D.

degrees in African institutions in the fields

of Botany or Zoology, or related fields in
Conservation Biology.

2. Professionals in Herbaria,

Museums. Universities, Wildlife
Management, who have an interest in the
documentation of biodiversity and
biogeography.

3. Those who have previously

participated in the programme.

Eligibility: Participants must be African
Nationals from Uganda. Tanzania. Kenya.
Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi or
Rwanda with a first degree in the biological
sciences.

Application: Interested individuals should
supply a letter indicating their interest in at
least in one of the above mentioned taxa;
e.xperience and career goals, a copy of their
university transcript, or other relevant
acadermic qualification, a curriculum vitae
and the names (with address/phone/e-mail/
FAX) of three professional/academic
references. Successful applicants will be
informed of the results in mtd May, 2000

Fees: Food, lodging and transport expenses
within Uganda will be covered, but home
institutions of successful applicants must
provide transport to their participants to and
from Kampala and some out-of- pocket
allowances.

Contact: The Programme Coordinator,
Makerere University, Institute of Environ¬
ment and Natural Resources (MUIENR),

P. O. Box 7298, Kampala. Uganda.

Phone: 256-077-411278 OR 256-041-
540213 Fax: 256-041-530134 email:
muienr@imul.com

Dates: 7 Weeks: 10"’ July - 25"' August
Application Deadline: 30 April 2000

UNESCO MAN AND BIOSPHERE
YOUNG SCIENTISTS AWARDS

These awards are available to encourage
young scientists to use Biosphere Reserves
in their research and training.

Awards are set at a maximum of US S 5,000
each.Applicants may not be older than 40
years of age.

Priority is given to research undertaken in
biosphere reserves, or on the biosphere
reserve concept, as well as to
interdisciplinary projects focusing on man

- environment interactions in line with the
MAB Programme.

Application deadline is: 1 May 2000

Application forms for MAB Young Scientist
Awards are available from: MAH
Secretariat. Division of Ecological
Sciences, UNESCO 1. rue Miollis, 75732.
Paris Cedex 15, France. Fax: +(33-1) 45
68 58 04, E-mail: mab@unesco.org

More information available from the web
site: http://www.unesco.org/mab/capacity/
mys/awarmab.htm.A list of all the Biosphere
Reserves around the world can be found at

http://www.unesco.org/mab/brlist.htm.

5ircl ttoflinc^

9 Piapiac

Feeding on ploughed field beside Kibos Road, 4 kms
outside Kisumu/ Mar
Heather Elkins

Hinde's Babbler, Grey » olive Greenbui. Yellow -
bellied Greenbui, Martial Eagle, Red - Capped
Robin, Banded Snake Eagle, Croaking Cisticola
Kindani Camp. Meru National Park/ Mar
Mark Mallalieu, Michael Maina, John Musino,
George Eshiomwata

Sonderling, Red-toiled Shrike, Three-bondcd
Plover, Green-backed* Heron
Sukari Ranch/ Mar

Louise Fordyce, Pat Dixon, Brion Williams

Juv. and adult Pallid Harrier. Abdim's Stork
Nairobi National Park/ Mar
John Drowley

Senegal Thicli-knee. Collared Pratincole,
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse, Hemprich's Hornbill,
Barred Warbler, Hunter s Sunbird, Northern
Masked Weaver
Lake Baringo/ Jan

- Japheth Mwok, Harold Henry, Shoilesh Patel

4