2009 July | Bushmeat in Kenya

Bush meat on sale in Nairobi

Category: Bushmeat kenya | Date: Jul 23 2009 | By: bushmeateastafrica

Bush meat on sale in Nairobi
Written By:Christine Muchiri/kna, Posted: Wed, Jul 22, 2009

Nairobi residents could be eating bush meat obtained illegally from the neighbouring Kajiado district.
Kajiado Central district game warden Mr. Timothy Kitonyi has confirmed that cases of poaching are on the rise in the district.

At least least six people have so far been arrested for involvement in the activity since the beginning of this month.

Finally I graduate in bushmeat DNA Barcoding

Category: Uncategorized | Date: Jul 11 2009 | By: bushmeateastafrica

After two weeks of intensive training on DNA Barcoding of bushmeat at the San Diego Zoo’s Institute, we were finally awarded a certificate for successfully attending the workshop. This means that the five of us who were trained by Dr Sarah Burgess-Herbert becomes a pioneer group of African professionals to successfully undergo such training.

Though the fight against the illegal bushmeat trade is far from being won, equipping professionals in African with new skills to fight the menace is a step in the right direction. The team of five professional pictured below have put bushmeat traders on notice in their respective countries! Quit the illegall trade or face prosecution…. with DNA, there is no guessing, no escape!

Iregi Mwenja

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DNA barcoding of bushmeat, it can work for Kenya

Category: Bushmeat kenya | Date: Jul 02 2009 | By: bushmeateastafrica

I am currently undergoing training on DNA barcoding of bushmeat at the San Diego zoo’s Institute lab. The more I learn about this technique, the more I believe that we can make it work in Kenya.

I hope to keep you updated on the progress we are making towards this end. In the meantime, I need you views, ideas and suggestion on how we can work together to hasten the process of bringing DNA barcoding of buhsmeta to the Kenya.

Your participation is highly appreciated.

Iregi Mwenja

Dr. Sarah Burgess-Herbert overview on DNA barcoding of bushmeat:

Burgeoning international commerce is hastening the global loss of biodiversity through the spread of invasive species and through increased trafficking in plants and animals. The unlawful hunting of wild animals and sale of their parts for the commercial bushmeat trade is now recognized as a crisis. Consequences of this “bushmeat crisis” range from extirpation of populations and extinction of vulnerable taxa; to the deterioration of subsistence-based human communities; to elevated risks of disease transmission from wildlife to humans. Monitoring illegal bushmeat commerce and enforcing wildlife regulations have proven difficult, because it is often impossible to determine the species of origin of many animal products such as processed filets, hides, and bone. The identification of these products is essential in attempts to evaluate, demonstrate, and litigate illegal bushmeat commerce.

This is why the application of an emerging technology known as “DNA barcoding” to the bushmeat crisis is vital. DNA barcoding provides a method for identifying species from unrecognizable samples of blood, bone, meat, hair, feathers, or feces. This universally applicable specimen identification method will enhance the assessment and enforcement capacity of the relevant national and international laws and regulations, and will thereby contribute to the protection of exploited species.

Technorati : Bushmeat, DNA barcoding, San Dieog Zoo

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