Above: local school children are treated to a trip to Kisite Marine Park to look for dolphins

Firstly, you may have noticed I’ve been a bit quiet on WildlifeDirect these last few months, sadly the unrest in Kenya forced us to take a break, but I’m very pleased to report that GVI is back in Shimoni and preparing to get the research started again.

Above: Lionel Murage from East Africa Wildlife Society addresses the local communities at Year of the Dolphin in Shimoni 

Until then I’d like to keep you updated with all the hard work that has been underway in our absence. 2007 was designated ‘Year of the Dolphin’ by UNEP’s Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), an initiative to stimulate international awareness and conservation action. So successful was it, especially right here in Kenya, that it has been extended in 2008.

Above: Robert Hepworth, Executive Secretary CMS, and Yussef Adan, KWS Warden of Kisite Marine Park talk with the local boat operators

Last year focussed heavily on teaching the kids, the future guardians of Kenya’s wildlife, but also saw the introduction by Kenya Widlife Service of the first ‘Code of Conduct’ to address dolphin-watching tourism.  This year, emphasis is being placed on educating and engaging the local fishermen and tour boat crews, the ones who can make a difference today.

Above: local boat operators ready to receive their certificates after attending workshops and lectures on dolphins and responsible tourism by Kenya Wildlife Service 

On Saturday, Kenya Wildlife Service head quarters for the Kisite Mpunguti Marine Protected Area hosted a wonderful event to link last year in to this year’s activities, attended by the CMS Executive Secretary, Robert Hepworth. The event saw the launch of a new KWS patrol boat to monitor repsonsible dolphin tourism, certificates for the local boat operators and fishermen who have given up their time to sit through some thorough dolphin education, a trip in to the marine park to see dolphins for many of the local children who have been the most avid young conservationists and the launch of new ‘Dolphin Clubs’ in 15 local schools to promote coastal conservation and environmental awareness.  

Above: The new KWS dolphin patrol boat 

In addition to hard work and commitment from KWS, ably supported by Rachel, our former GVI Marine Science Officer and Expedition Manager, the Kenya Forestry Service, Fisheries Department and Kenya Marine & Fisheries Research Institute have all been involved. With support coming from major tour operators and many local boat operators, it all goes to show that Kenya’s commitment to conservation at every level certainly hasn’t been disrupted! 

Above: Rachel joins some of the local school children on Kisite Island in the Marine Park 

Above: Mkwiro Primary School perform dolphin acrobatics alongside thier song ‘Conserve our Dolphins’ 

I had a wonderful day, with many songs and performances from the local school children to keep us entertained… the highlight for all of us was the official inauguration of the Dolphin Clubs, the kids putting on a full marching drill after an intensive day’s training from the KWS rangers…

Above: Inauguration of the new school Dolphin Clubs

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