Conservationist starts walk to promote elephant protection across Horn of Africa

 A Kenyan wildlife conservationist on Monday started a walk to raise awareness on the importance of enhancing protection of elephants across the Horn of Africa region.

Jim Justus Nyamu was flagged off in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, as he embarked on the Elephant Campaign Walk that will end in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

"My aim is to spotlight the critical issues facing African elephants, including poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflicts," Nyamu said during the flagging-off ceremony of the walk that will take him 90 days to cover 2,790 km.

The conservationist is the executive director of the Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC), a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to protect African elephants and secure landscapes for the giant land mammals outside protected areas.

Nyamu said that with the region having more than 60 percent of wildlife outside protected parks, elephants and other iconic species are facing grave threats. He hoped the campaign, dubbed "Ivory Belongs to Elephants," will raise awareness of the need to protect them.

During the walk, Nyamu will hold community meetings, school visits, and public forums to discuss the importance of elephant conservation and sustainable practices that can help protect these majestic creatures. He said that the walk will traverse diverse landscapes, including national parks and reserves, to enable him to document and share firsthand accounts of the challenges and successes in elephant conservation.

"This walk is not just about covering distance. It's about connecting with people and inspiring them to take action," Nyamu said, adding that elephants are a charismatic species and their conservation is integral to the health of the ecosystems and the well-being of local communities.

Charles Musyoki, director of Wildlife and Community Service at the Kenya Wildlife Service, commended Nyamu for offering to create awareness on the importance of protecting elephants and other endangered species in the region.

African elephant population is declining at an alarming rate, Musyoki said, adding that Nyamu's campaign is both a call to action and an educational endeavor, designed to engage communities, policymakers, and international stakeholders.

Nyamu, locally known as "Kenya's Elephant Man," has been at the forefront of conservation efforts, advocating for stronger anti-poaching laws, supporting community-based conservation initiatives, and promoting coexistence between humans and wildlife. He previously completed similar walks across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Botswana, and the United Kingdom.

His journey is available on social media platforms, live streams, and a dedicated campaign website.