In a bid to promote the conservation of wildlife in Kenya, the Ministry of Tourism has allowed individuals to adopt and name wildlife for $100 (Ksh100,000).
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala while launching the Kenya Wildlife Service Rangers Welfare Fund at the Meru National Park early in the week said that elephants, rhinos are among the wild animals which have been allowed to be named after Kenyans and adoption too.
He said that these two species are endangered species.
Balala led by example and adopted two new-born Rhinos and named them after his two grandchildren. The proceeds of this campaign will go to the Rangers Welfare Fund which is aimed at bettering the living standards of rangers who are on the frontline in conservation efforts.
The CS praised the high number of rhino births at the Meru National Park which has recorded impressive growth numbers since the year began.
“On June 28 this year, I visited Meru National Park which is a Rhino sanctuary and was impressed with the high number of rhino births as a result of aggressive conservation,” he tweeted.
“I adopted and named two calves after my grandchildren– Waliya (female) and Layan (male) and paid Sh100,000 each,” added Balala.
In September, Balala will launch a naming and adoption drive for new-born baby elephants across the country. He urged all Kenyans to be part of this drive.
“Next month, September, we will launch newborn elephants naming and Kenyans are free to take part,” remarked the Tourism CS.
A total of Ksh3.4 million has been raised so far from naming and adoption 33 new-born black and white rhinos across the country in 2019.
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