By Brodie Owen
The Ambassador (wearing HOOE armband) receiving a gift from District Governor Geoff Tancred D9700
Kenya’s Ambassador to Australia made his first diplomatic trip outside of Canberra to Wagga on a mission to protect African Elephants and Rhinos from greedy international ivory markets
Ambassador Isaiya Kabira, a former journalist in his home country has been in the top job for about two months and is determined his appointment will be defined as one that raises about the beauty of the animal with tusks, sharp and strong.
“In the 1990s we had about three to four million elephants roaming Africa. Today we are talking about a number closer to 500,000″, Ambassador Kabira said on Saturday.
“With a growing middle class, particularly in Asia, we’re seeing a lot of demand for ivory…it’s seen as a status symbol”
The cause to raise awareness of animal poaching across the plains of Kenya is being championed by Rotary International Australia which is planning a trip to Kenya within the next year.
The Coolamon Rotary branch has taken particular interest to curtailing the ivory demand. There are fears the level of demand threatens the very survival of African elephants.
Rotary District Governor Geoff Tancred compared the plight of African wild Elephants and Rhinos to Australia’s Tasmanian tiger which was hunted to extinction in the 1930s.
“The numbers of wild elephants and also rhinoceros in the wild in Africa is depleting at an alarming rate,” he said
Ambassador Kabira said Australians should view Africa’s wildlife as international heritage
“We should work together here in Australia to ensure that there is no demand at all for ivory,” he said
“Only Elephants should wear ivory”
Exchanging business cards, Wagga Mayor Rod Kendall and member for Riverina Michael McCormack agreed to work closer together with Ambassador Kabira
John Glassford (wearing HOOE T-shirt) H.E. Ambassador Kabira and others
WildlifeDirect wishes to thank:
John Glassford
Chair 2013 -2014
Proposed RAG for Endangered Species
Rotary Club of Coolamon District 9700
New South Wales, Australia
http://www.endangeredrag.org/
