NAIROBI,KENYA: The East African Wildlife Society (EAWLS) will today mark its 60th anniversary as a champion of wildlife conservation in the region.
The Society was formed in 1961 when Kenyan and Tanzanian wildlife societies merged and were joined by wildlife enthusiasts from Uganda. The goal was to ensure that wildlife, as a natural resource, was protected for the benefit of future generations.
“The Society initially set out to spearhead the protection of wildlife through support for anti-poaching activities,” said Executive Director, Julius Kamau. “Since the 1990s our focus has broadened to include the conservation of ecosystems and advocacy for prudent management of natural resources,” he added.
A special edition of the Society’s flagship magazine, SWARA, will be launched at the anniversary celebrations on Riara Road, Nairobi. Prof. Judi Wakhungu, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Water and Natural Resources, will attend the function as guest of honour.
Dr. Lstván Mikola, Secretary of State for Security, Policy and International Cooperation in Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Ambassador of China to Kenya, His Excellency Dr. Liu Xianfa, will also attend.
Also present will be the Society’s members, both individual and corporate, representatives from development partners, the conservation fraternity and universities.
