OPINION: Wildlife Conservation Finance: A Shared Future for Wildlife and Sustainable Livelihoods

As we mark World Wildlife Day 2025 under the theme “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,” we reflect on Kenya’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that conservation efforts benefit both nature and local communities.

This year’s theme, adapted to “Wildlife Conservation Finance: A Shared Future for Wildlife and Sustainable Livelihoods,” resonates deeply with Kenya’s vision of harmonizing ecological preservation with socio-economic development.

Kenya’s wildlife is not just a national treasure; it is the backbone of our economy. Wildlife-based tourism contributes over 10% of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and directly employs 11% of the formal workforce.

Iconic landscapes like Lake Bogoria National Reserve, where we celebrate this year’s World Wildlife Day, are not only biodiversity hotspots but also economic engines that support thousands of livelihoods.

However, the challenges we face—climate change, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal wildlife trade—demand innovative solutions and sustained investment.

This year’s celebrations coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a milestone that underscores Kenya’s pivotal role in global conservation.

For decades, Kenya has been at the forefront of advocating for the protection of endangered species, from elephants and rhinos to the critically endangered Mountain Bongo.

Our efforts to repatriate and rewild Mountain Bongos, with 69 individuals now in semi-captive breeding programs and five already released into the Mawingu Sanctuary, demonstrate our commitment to species recovery. By 2050, we aim to achieve a population of 750 Mountain Bongos, a testament to our long-term vision for biodiversity conservation.

Baringo County, with its unique ecosystems and rich biodiversity, is a microcosm of Kenya’s conservation challenges and opportunities.

The county is home to Lake Bogoria, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ramsar Wetland, which supports thousands of flamingos and other wetland birds.

However, the region faces threats such as habitat degradation, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change.

The county government, in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and local communities, has made significant strides in addressing these challenges.

Initiatives such as community conservancies, eco-tourism projects, and sustainable livelihood programs like aloe farming and beekeeping demonstrate how conservation can generate economic benefits while protecting biodiversity.

For instance, the Ilchamus Community Conservation Group has restored degraded lands, created eco-tourism opportunities, and enhanced livelihoods, proving that local communities are indispensable partners in conservation.

Wildlife conservation requires substantial financial investment. Traditional funding alone is insufficient to meet the growing needs of habitat protection, anti-poaching efforts, and community engagement. Innovative financing mechanisms, such as wildlife credits, conservation bonds, and public-private partnerships, are essential to bridge the funding gap.

KWS has embraced these approaches through initiatives like the Chyulu Hills REDD+ Project, which generates carbon credits by protecting forests and grasslands, and the establishment of community wildlife conservancies that provide alternative income sources for local communities. By linking conservation to economic benefits, we incentivize communities to protect wildlife and ecosystems.

Technology plays a critical role in modern conservation. KWS has invested in advanced tools such as drones, GPS collars, and a state-of-the-art DNA forensic laboratory to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

These technologies, coupled with community-led patrols and rapid response teams, have significantly reduced wildlife crime.

Moreover, partnerships are equally vital. KWS collaborates with county governments, communities, NGOs, private sector players, and international organizations to scale conservation efforts. The Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) and the Tsavo Conservation Area Partnership are shining examples of how collaboration can achieve impactful results.

The success of wildlife conservation is intrinsically linked to the support and participation of local communities. KWS supports over 265 community conservancies across the country, providing technical advice and financial incentives to ensure that communities benefit directly from conservation. Partners such as the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya and initiatives like women-led beekeeping cooperatives empower youth and women, fostering inclusivity and sustainability in conservation efforts.

In Baringo County, initiatives like predator-proof enclosures, compensation schemes for livestock loss, and community awareness programs have mitigated human-wildlife conflict, ensuring peaceful coexistence.

By investing in people, we create a positive feedback loop where conservation efforts are supported because communities see tangible benefits.

As we celebrate World Wildlife Day 2025, let us reaffirm our commitment to investing in nature and building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.

Conservation is not just an environmental imperative; it is an investment in our economy, our communities, and our planet.

Together, we can close the conservation finance gap, empower local communities, and ensure that Kenya’s rich biodiversity thrives for generations to come.

Let us embrace innovative financing, leverage technology, and strengthen partnerships to secure a shared future for wildlife and sustainable livelihoods.

In the words of Wangari Maathai, “We owe it to ourselves and to the next generation to conserve the environment so that we can bequeath our children a sustainable world that benefits all.”

On this World Wildlife Day, let us honour this legacy by taking bold steps to protect our natural heritage and invest in a future where people and the planet thrive together.

Happy World Wildlife Day 2025!

The writer is the Director General, Kenya Wildlife Service