JOPHIE CLARK
Jophie Clark moved to Kenya 4 years ago from the UK. She previously worked for conservation organisations in the UK and most recently was the Executive Director of the Colobus Trust, a primate conservation and rescue centre in Diani on the south coast of Kenya. She is currently completing an MSc in Biodiversity Conservation with the University of London (SOAC) and is researching her dissertation, which focusses on the issue of deliberate poisoning of predators using Furadan. The objectives of the research are:
· To investigate the extent to which deliberate poisoning of large predators and scavengers using Carbofuran and other chemicals occurs within Kenya, and in particular within areas encompassed by the Northern Rangelands Trust (northern Kenya).
· To propose recommendations for appropriate mitigation measures to minimise such incidents amongst communities supported by the Northern Rangelands Trust, and potentially in other areas of Kenya and East Africa.
Jophie lives within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy with her husband and two daughters.
SIMON THOMSETT
Simon Thomsett has been working with raptors in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa for some 3 decades. This work includes captive management and rehabilitation of raptors. He initiated the Peregrine Funds’ raptor conservation programme in East Africa in collaboration with the Ornithology Department National Museums of Kenya in 1991-2007, which required academic student supervision, public education, species restoration and re-introduction programmes.
Poisoning of raptors is well known globally via the “bio-accumulation” route, and while pertinent to African raptors it is by no means as obvious and as shocking as the direct use of poisons to kill wildlife. In his experience the deliberate killing of raptors and wildlife appears to be increasing and may herald the regional extinction of some species.
NGAIO RICHARDS
Ngaio is currently finishing a PhD in the UK in wildlife forensics to detect veterinary drugs such as diclofenac in vulture and livestock carcass parts. She is deeply troubled by the ongoing occurrence of wildlife poisonings in Africa and also very concerned about the risks for the people using these compounds for their livelihoods. Ngaio would like to use the poison blog to discuss the development of a concerted action plan to respond to (and prevent) incidences of carbofuran poisoning, one that encompasses the reduction of human-wildlife conflict and promotes alternative means of addressing perceived cases of conflict. She also intends to post key reports and papers on carbofuran (including repercussions to human health) and give people the chance to contribute any materials they feel are relevant.
CLAUDIA HODKINSON
Donations made here are
Feb 3rd Elizabeth H USD 20.00
Hi Jophie, what might these mitigation measures, include? Will your research explore accidental poisoning of wildlife, from inappropriate use, as well?
Hey Jophie and all the rest (where are you all??!). Am really glad this got going and know that this campaign is going to see an end to furadan!
Hi Teresa
In answer to your first question, the mitigation measures really depend on what I find during my study, but could include for example: an awareness campaign to make agro-chemical sellers and buyers aware of the far reaching impact of carbofuran and other poisons on wildlife and on human health; promoting traditional methods of livestock protection, such as night ‘bomas’ (enclosures) and guard dogs; compensation schemes for livestock lost to predators. The solution is not just about taking chemicals such as carbofuran off the market (although this would be a fantastic thing), but helping people to find other methods apart from poisoning to live along side large predators.
In answer to your second question, I am currently working on a database to gather together info on all cases of predator and scavanger poisoning in Kenya that have been recorded. I originally planned on concentrating on deliberate poisoning cases, but it now seems like a good idea to record any cases, and whether they were deliberate or not, as it would be very interesting to know the impact on wildlife on from the legitimate use of Furadan and other pesticides.
Jophie
I think that what you all are doing on behalf of wildlife and the issue of poisoning is heroic. keep up the good work and Furadan other toxins like it will go away along with the cruel companies that make them.
James Christian
Karisia Walking Safaris
http://www.karisia.com
Hello All,
I have not been able to stop thinking about this crisis since I first learned of it about a week ago. Thank you for your dedication to resolve this problem.
Do not spend your precious time to resolve this problem in order to answer my questions. If you can spare a minute, I would like very much to better understand this problem.
Questions I have that might seem naive coming from here in the USA;
1. Considering livestock requires a large area to raise for food, and is one of the most environmentally harmful forms of protein source, why can’t the people there raise a legume crop for protien or at least some type of domestic chicken instead of poisoning wild birds for meat? I realize there are some cultural issues related to this problem as well.
2. I took an environmental class with a young woman from Kenya as a classmate. She was sent here by her government to learn about agriculture and better ways to supply food for her village.
Do such programs exist in Kenya ?
3. Why is FMC not taking full responsibility to provide the means for necessary transport and testing of tissue samples in the field wherever they distribute Furadan in Africa, and safeguards to protect the people and wildlife ? A buy-back program seems minimal at best. Surely they understand this.
Why is FMC sending mixed messages ?
After looking at FMC’s web site, it appears they intend to take this battle to court in order to keep Furadan on the market and have it reregistered. Yet, they profess to be committed to “ensuring that we operate our businesses ethically, safely, securely and in a sustainable manner.” and “§ to protect the health and safety of our employees, our communities and the public, and to operate our facilities in a manner that prevents harm to the environment;”.
Interestingly, they do not make their staff members emails or contact info available to the public for comment. See excerpts from their web site below;
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=117919&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1287475&highlight=
FMC Corporation Plans Objections to EPA Action on Carbofuran
PHILADELPHIA, May 12, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ — FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) strongly disagrees with the announcement by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revoke all U.S. food tolerances for the pesticide carbofuran. FMC plans to file objections to this action by the EPA and to seek an administrative hearing.
“We are very disappointed by the EPA revocation and their unwillingness to recognize that our voluntary changes to the label allowed the product to meet the dietary safety standard using EPA’s own conservative assumptions,” said Dr. Michael Morelli, Director of Global Regulatory Affairs, FMC Agricultural Products Group. “President Obama has committed EPA to regulating on the basis of sound science, and FMC is confident that a fair hearing based on sound scientific principles will prove carbofuran’s safety to the satisfaction of all.”
Under the EPA action, FMC can still sell and growers can use carbofuran until December 31, 2009. The company will follow all available administrative procedures and hopes to have the product available for the next crop growing year.
http://www.fmc.com/Default.aspx?alias=www.fmc.com/corporateresponsibility
Welcome to FMC
FMC is one of the world’s foremost-diversified chemical companies with leading global positions in agricultural, industrial and consumer markets. From our inception, our company and its employees have maintained a commitment to pursue new technologies that improve quality of life and to conduct our businesses in a responsible manner. In short, we are committed to putting our responsibilities into action.
We are proud that our chemistries are today helping to grow the world’s food, enabling new innovations in pharmaceutical delivery, contributing to a more sustainable energy supply, facilitating the remediation of our environment, and advancing the manufacture of hundreds of essential industrial products.
Our commitment to technological innovation and improvement is a core value. So, too, is our commitment to ensuring that we operate our businesses ethically, safely, securely and in a sustainable manner. FMC believes we have a responsibility:
§ to conduct business with integrity and comply with all applicable laws, adhering to a strict Code of Ethics and Business Conduct;
§ to protect the health and safety of our employees, our communities and the public, and to operate our facilities in a manner that prevents harm to the environment;
§ to minimize the vulnerability and ensure the security of our manufacturing and storage sites; and
§ to conduct our operations in a way that promotes the long-term social and economic development of the communities in which we operate.
From our beginnings, we have sought to serve our customers’ changing needs, understanding that we must earn their confidence and trust by performing to the highest standards and delivering on our commitments. These values extend to all aspects of our business conduct.
On behalf of nearly 5,000 fellow employees, welcome to FMC. In this area of our web site, we proudly share with you FMC’s “Responsibility in Action.”
William G. Walter
Chairman, CEO and President
Hi all:
I do live in Isinya, Kajiado North District. I have seen this deadly poison on the agrovet shops. What can be done to stop this? I am not an expert in this field and I do not want to cause any rift with the local shop-keepers and the residents at large.
Eagerly awaiting your kind reply and advice.
Regards, JKN
Hi,
My colleague and I have established a state-of-the-art DNA testing facility and we are also in the process of purchasing an LC/MS/MS and an HPLC. If we can be of any assistance in your endeavors please feel free to contact me at anytime.
Regards,
Swathi
Sorry I wanted to clarify that we are located in Nairobi, Kenya.
Thanks
Swathi
Just wanted you good folks to know that National Wildlife Humane Society is behind you, and we are running a fundraiser in our internet community, Wildlife Community Network.
I know it’s not a lot, but it’s a slow time of the year right now for fundraisers with the holidays and such. We are running a graph to monitor the donation drive, and it updates as we go.
http://www.humanewildlife.org/wdtherm.jpg
(not sure if this reply box allows the html code to show the graph)
More importantly, we are reaching out to as many people as possible, to increase awareness of this problem, and hopefully help create a spark to fan the fires of change.
We truly wish we could do more to help, but we are a fledgling wildlife conservation nonprofit, and don’t have the resources like the big guys have. If we were bigger, we would do more. We are behind you and your important work, WildlifeDirect, and all those who work to assist wildlife in any way.
Respectfully,
Patrick D. Webb
National Wildlife Humane Society
Hi Jophie et al
I am friends with Munir Virani and am ready to help battle this bad situation. Please let me know how I can help I am in the US
Thanks
Cina Forgason
I really like your effort please continue this- I lived in Kenya several years ago and had the good fortune of visiting several wild life parks
Please preserve them
Sonal