Official Formation Of The Kenyan Bird Ringing Organization/Body

Apologies for the joint email, and perhaps cross-posting, though, this seems to be the only media to reach all of you in a rather expeditious manner.

To spearhead the same issue, yesterday (6 November 2007), I took a personal initiative to meet the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers, charged with the mandate of licensing and research. In attendance for the joint meeting was Mr. Ibrahim K. Lubia (Chief Licensing Officer), and Dr. Charles Musyoki (Senior Scientist-Other Species) respectively.

The meeting was successful and the following points came out clearly, and the two senior officers were willing to offer their full support and expertise.

The following points noted were:

1) There is a dire need to urgently form an association (after full registeration with the relevant authority), to oversee the day-to-day bird-ringing operations.

2) Upon completion of the same, the group was to formulate its by-laws, protocols, code of ethics, rules and regulations to govern the body.

3) The issue of affiliation with the other relevant bodies was also addressed. The notable organizations were BirdLife (Kenya) through Nature Kenya, Ornithology Department (National Museums of Kenya), Arocha (Kenya), Nairobi Ringing Group (NbiRG), and lastly the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

All the above having been undertaken, the rest was to await consent from the Kenya Wildlife Service board meeting for the final approval.

In view of the aforementioned points, it is my humble request that every member, friends, supporters, and well-wishers to welcome aboard, contribute and share their ideas on the way forward in this matter. Please feel free to consult and borrow ideas from any members of existing bird-ringing clubs, schemes, organizations, etc and circulate this email freely to anyone you feel might need this information.

Thereafter, a meeting will be convened at the best suitable time to deliberate and forge a way forward. It is my sincere hope that this will be the first step to correct the past anomalies and shortcomings that have befell us namely no formal authority/clearing house, lack of issuance of bird-ringing permits/licenses, "close-door" activities etc.

It is high time that things are straightened once an for all. This might be a painful brunt to others, but the time has come, for all to enjoy the benefits and enjoyments of the same! By so doing, it will create general awareness to the public at large, job opprotunities (professional ringers/trainers, data capturing and entry, field co-ordinators, researchers, etc), revenue earnings to the Kenya Wildlife Service through the issuance of licenses/permits, bird-ringing equipments (to the bona fide proficient and competent members), etc.

In addition, this will increase tremendously bird-ringing efforts (recruitment of new ringers, expansion of ringers into areas not covered at present, liaison with the media, expansion of public awareness etc) in Kenya, and perhaps, to the general East African countries, provide medium for publication of results, information, views, techniques, achievements and other relevant information useful to ringers and birders alike.

In the mean-time, a concept paper is to be drafted for presentation to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). All your contributions and/or in-puts will be highly appreciated.

For further information, queries and comments, please, contact me directly on the below appended contacts.

Thanking you all for your time, efforts and anticipated co-operation.

Best wishes and regards,

James Kuria Ndung'u
FRONT TRAILS SAFARIS ... taking you closer to nature
33 Kenya House, Koinange / Monrovia Str,

2nd Floor, Unit 22C,
P.O Box 60903, City Square, 00200, Nairobi
KENYA, East Africa.

PH/FX: +254 (20) 221-0930
CELL: +254-734-287-802 / +254-728-583-520
SKYPE: james.kuria.ndungu
E-MAIL: james.ndungu@fronttrailsafaris.com
WEBSITE: www.fronttrailsafaris.com

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