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March 2007 Latest News

March 22, 2007

Death penalty for gun possession considered in Kenya

The Nation of Kenya, in an article reported by allafrica.com, has described the latest ritual gun burning, presided over by Internal Security minister John Michuki and the Commissioner of Police, Major-General Hussein Ali, in Nairobi.

Parliament is soon to consider proposals making the ownership of even a toy or imitation pistol a capital offence. Gun offences are expected to be placed into the same category as murder, treason and armed robbery, all carrying penalties of death or life imprisonment.

Eight thousand firearms were burnt, under the 2000 Nairobi Protocol on the proliferation of small arms, which requires surrendered and confiscated firearms to be burnt, and to have the metallic residue melted down.

Firearm licences in the country are being cancelled, according to Major-General Ali, and especially those which have been issued to civilians on a temporary basis. This ceremony was touted by the government as part of its commitment to a gun-free society, but other points of collection across the country will also be used as destruction sites from now on, with a view to driving home the point among the local population. The Chief of Police wishes to have the Nairobi Protocol recognized by other countries in the region and turned into a treaty.

All Africa.com



March 4, 2007

Possible restoration of hunting in Kenya

The Kenyan Minister for Tourism and Wildlife, Morris Dzoro, has appealed for calm while a specially-appointed body collects public views concerning the case for again allowing managed seasonal hunting in Kenya.

A national steering committee now exists with a brief to review the country's wildlife policy. A report is expected to be tabled by mid-April. From there, the information will go into a sessional paper and then proceed to the cabinet for approval, before being placed before Parliament in bill form. The government has made it clear that the International Convention on Trade on Endangered Species would of course be upheld, and there would be no question of wildlife being in any way endangered.

According to an article in The Nation in Kenya, anti-hunting activists have made it clear that they are determined to defeat any such move, and the Minister expressed concerns that anti-hunting groups have been appealing to the media rather than preparing factual cases for consideration.

All Africa.com


March 3, 2007

South Africa reconsiders elephant culls

Proposals possibly readmitting the culling of elephants have been announced by the South African Minister for Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk.

Banned on cruelty grounds in 1994, culling is being reconsidered because of the widespread habitat damage taking place. With each elephant eating up to 150 kilograms of vegetation per day, many species of plants including very old trees are coming under unsustainable pressure. Kruger National Park is reportedly sustaining such damage that aerial photography shows it changing from woodland to grassland. Other species are suffering as a result. Special-interest groups and animal rights activists are strongly against culling under any circumstances.

While methods such as contraception are being investigated, and closure of watering points to encourage migration is already under way, Kruger Park's chief researcher has already stated his view that there is no real alternative to culling and permission to proceed will most likely be sought as early as this year. Culling is usually carried out to incorporate complete elephant families, to lessen grieving of those remaining. The byproducts of the kill, both meat and ivory, are all utilized.

In his announcement, the Minister made it clear that there would be no wholesale slaughter of the animals.

Washington Post


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