A new milestone has been set by two Kenyan Wildlife Conservationists in an award ceremony that was conducted in Geneva Switzerland on the 20th of August 2019.
Wildlife law enforcement champions from 10 countries, including Kenya, were recognized with the Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Award at the 18th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Geneva.
Among those recognized were two Kenyans, Julius Kariuki Kimani (honoured posthumously), former director of Parks and Reserves for the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and Julius Maluku Mwandai, senior assistant director and head of investigations for the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Julius Kariuki Kimani was honoured for his decades of service improving inter-agency efforts to fight wildlife crime, raising awareness within Kenya’s judiciary about the importance of wildlife protection, and enhancing intelligence to identify wildlife criminals and gangs.
He was pivotal in securing the integrity of parks and their ecosystems in Kenya by improving industry governance and strengthening law enforcement linkages to enhance conservation.
The other Kenyan Julius Maluku Mwandai was recognized for mentoring thousands of wildlife law enforcement officers in Kenya and across Africa over several decades, transforming KWS’ paramilitary school into a distinguished regional wildlife law enforcement training institution, and demonstrating exemplary leadership in dramatically reducing rhino and elephant poaching in Kenya.
During his tenure, elephant poaching numbers in the country decreased from 384 in 2012 to 40 in 2018, and rhino poaching numbers decreased from 30 to 4 during the same period. Also, nearly 10,000 wildlife criminals were arrested.
Some other individuals recognized included Patrick Muhayirwa, Charles Syaira, Jonas Malyani, Pacifique Fikirini, Faustin Nzabakurikiza, Jean Byamungu, Barthelemie Mulewa, Théodore Prince, Liévin Kasumba, Kanawa Sibomana, Ila Muranda, Rachel Baraka, Kasereka Ezéchiel, Freddy Muliro, Hakizimana Chadrack, and Musubaho Maliro Antwi (being honored posthumously), former rangers at Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
“The world’s wildlife is under threat like never before from criminal syndicates, poachers and others who don’t hesitate to kill and capture wildlife out of greed and callousness, without consideration for the harm they cause to ecological function and biodiversity. Anyone who cherishes our wildlife heritage owes a debt of gratitude to those honoured here today,” explained DJ Schubert, wildlife biologist for AWI.
The Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement award is named after the late chief of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of Law Enforcement. Mr. Bavin substantially elevated the fight against wildlife crime in the United States and internationally, pioneering the use of covert investigations and sting operations to expose illegal wildlife trade and advocating for the use of forensic science to identify and prosecute wildlife criminals.
The Animal Welfare Institute presents the prestigious award to individuals, organizations, and agencies that have demonstrated excellence in combatting wildlife crime.
