STORY: Kenya hosts forum on enhancing cooperation with China in wildlife conservation
SHOOTING TIME: June 29, 2024
DATELINE: July 1, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:49
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the conference
2. various stakeholders in wildlife management at the conference
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): QIANG ZHUO, Wildlife conservation explorer and IUCN member expert
4. various of the conference
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): VINCENT OBANDA, Principal research scientist at Wildlife Research and Training Institute
6. various of the meeting

STORYLINE:

A forum on strengthening cooperation between Kenya and China in wildlife and biodiversity conservation took place in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Saturday, drawing participation from government, industry, academia and civil society.

The China-Kenya Wildlife Conservation Cooperation Forum aimed to foster peer learning, exchange of knowledge and best practices in protecting iconic species amid mounting threats like poaching, habitat loss and climatic stresses.

Among the co-organizers of the forum that sought to advance the cause of "Community of Human Destiny" and "Earth Life Community" was the Sichuan & Chongqing Chamber of Commerce in Kenya.

The East African Wildlife Society, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) were among the conservation lobby groups that organized the half-day forum.

Qiang Zhuo, a wildlife conservation explorer and IUCN member expert, said that refashioning Kenya-China cooperation in wildlife conservation was long overdue, to enhance the resilience of local communities and their livelihoods.

"We need to jointly promote wildlife and ecosystems conservation, ensure communities benefit from ecotourism and resilient livelihoods," said Qiang, who pioneered a community-led lions' conservation model in the Maasai Mara National Reserve in the southwestern Kenyan county of Narok.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): QIANG ZHUO, Wildlife conservation explorer and IUCN member expert
"It is important because we set up the platform to encourage and inspire Chinese communities living in Kenya as well as Chinese tourists visiting Kenya to join in our conservation efforts."

Kenya is committed to strengthening cooperation with China in a bid to protect its iconic wildlife species that are a source of tourism revenue, national heritage and pride, said Vincent Obanda, a principal research scientist at Wildlife Research and Training Institute, a state agency.

Obanda observed that China has supported Kenya's wildlife conservation efforts through capacity building for rangers, donation of anti-poaching gear, and joint research and training programs.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): VINCENT OBANDA, Principal research scientist at Wildlife Research and Training Institute
"This forum is the first one. We are happy about it that they are coming together to embrace themselves, not only sending the expertise or sending resources, but the Chinese themselves are coming to collaborate with players in Kenya -- Kenya Wildlife Service, Wildlife Research and Training Institute, the IUCN. So this was a very important forum and a message to the Chinese people and local Kenyans that we can now work together towards conservation."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)