By Lenah Bosibori
World Animal Protection global animal welfare in collaboration with Green Talk Art a vibrant group of Kenyan artists has launched a new film dubbed ‘New Era Conservationist’ targeted at championing wildlife protection across the country and beyond.
Speaking recently at the Museums of Kenya, Edith Kabesiime the Wildlife Manager at World Animal Protection said innovative approaches are very essential for ensuring that wildlife do not only survive but thrive in the wild.
“In a world where the fate of wildlife hangs in the balance, innovative approaches are essential for ensuring they not only survive but thrive in the wild.” Noted Kabesiime. “The ‘New Era Conservationist’ captures hearts with its poignant art story of a reformed poacher who helped an injured baby elephant return to his natural habitat.”
She further adds that the film not only celebrates the reformed poacher’s change for good but also demonstrates the resilience of wildlife and the urgent need to protect them and preserve their habitats from destruction.
The groundbreaking 17-minute film merges spoken word poetry and music to champion wildlife protection according to Kabesiime.
According to data from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Kenya has reported a 12% increase in its elephant population since 2014, a positive sign of conservation efforts. However, poaching continues to threaten other species, including rhinos, with nearly 50 rhinos killed in Botswana in a recent surge, reflecting similar risks in Kenya.
With continued efforts from The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and other stakeholders to protect the habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and the high demand for wildlife products on the black market, innovations like the use of spoken word and poetry bring in new technologies to protect the Kenya’s wildlife populations.
“This project is part of World Animal Protection’s ‘Wildlife Not Profit campaign’ which inspired Artists from Green Talk Africa to develop this educative and inspirational film to speak for the voiceless – Africa’s wildlife,” added Kabesiime.
“We are thrilled to unveil this film, which represents a significant step forward in blending art with advocacy for animal welfare and protection,” said Kennedy Leaky Odongo, a spoken word artist and Talent Developer at Green Talk Art.
“The creative vision of our talented artists brings to life the message that wild animals should remain in the wild, and their habitats must be safeguarded.” The film can be viewed on World Animal Protection’s YouTube channel.
‘New Era Conservationist’ reminds us of the responsibility we hold in protecting wild animals. It encourages us to embrace a new era of conservation, one marked by empathy, action, and a commitment to a future where wildlife can thrive.