Investing in Nature: UNDP Kenya’s Commitment to Wildlife Conservation and Ecosystem Restoration.
Today, on World Wildlife Day, we celebrate the critical role of wildlife in sustaining ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and enhancing livelihoods. The 2025 theme, ‘Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,’ highlights the urgency of mobilizing financial resources to protect nature while uplifting communities.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero said: “We have a responsibility to unlock the power and agility of the finance sector and mainstream nature-positive considerations in the spheres of investment. Wildlife conservation finance is about conserving plant and animal species in the wild and contributing to the conservation of our planet’s biodiversity that sustains all ecosystems and communities worldwide.”
Wildlife provides essential services that support human livelihoods and contribute to achieving the Strategic Vision of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) for 2030 (CITES Strategic Vision: 2021–2030), the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
As part of this commitment, UNDP Kenya continues to lead transformative conservation efforts that not only restore ecosystems but also enhance wildlife protection and community resilience.
With over 1 million species at risk of extinction, financing conservation efforts is more urgent than ever. More than half of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) depends on nature, making biodiversity loss a significant threat to financial stability and livelihoods. Through strategic interventions, UNDP Kenya is working to bridge this gap by empowering communities, strengthening enforcement, and securing vital ecosystems.
Key Achievements in Wildlife Conservation in Kenya:
Expanding Protected Areas and Community-Driven Conservation
- Over 6,000 protected-area adjacent households trained on sustainable land management, leading to expanded wildlife dispersal areas. A cumulative 36,137 hectares secured as new conservancies, including 8,827 hectares in Maasai Mara (551% increase) and 27,310 hectares in Tsavo (127% increase).
- Leadership and management training provided to 40 conservancy managers and board members, enhancing governance and sustainability of conservation areas. Four new conservancies established and supported to develop their respective management plans and setup operational infrastructure.
Strengthening Law Enforcement and Anti-Poaching Efforts
- 127 law enforcement officers trained on CITES regulations, permits, and wildlife crime specimen identification, enhancing prosecution capabilities.
- A Draft National Strategy for Combating Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade (2024–2028) developed, addressing key conservation challenges such as high market demand for endangered species, resource limitations, and corruption. The strategy aims to strengthen laws, increase enforcement capacity, integrate communities into conservation efforts, and foster international collaboration.
- 86% success rate in prosecuting poaching cases in Maasai Mara & Tsavo landscapes, significantly reducing illegal wildlife activities. This was in part due to the capacity building of the Judicial Officer within the two landscapes and training to fast responders on handling and processing of exhibits. In the Maasai Mara, arrests decreased, with ivory seizures dropping signaling stronger deterrence of illegal wildlife trafficking. The increase in bushmeat seizures by 416% highlights the evolving dynamics of wildlife crimes.
- Strengthening wildlife security systems for joint operations of Government agencies and community in the Maasai Mara and Tsavo Conservation Areas. Part of this has been the establishment of a central command Centre and satellite hubs to enhance digital real time relay of information for effective response and action for both wildlife security and tourists.
Investing in Wildlife Conservation Finance
As we mark World Wildlife Day 2025, UNDP Kenya calls on governments, private sector players, and development partners to join us in prioritizing conservation finance. We invite donors and partners to collaborate with us in scaling up investments that empower communities, protect biodiversity, and build climate-resilient ecosystems.
By supporting UNDP Kenya, partners will be part of a global movement for wildlife conservation, benefiting from impactful collaboration, shared expertise, and strategic investment in sustainability. Whether through direct funding, technical expertise, or community-based initiatives, your contribution will drive meaningful change in protecting endangered species and restoring vital ecosystems.
Let’s take action — invest in nature, invest in the future.
#WorldWildlifeDay #InvestInNature #UNDPKenya #EcosystemRestoration #WildlifeConservation
About the Author:
David Ombee is a Project Communications Officer at UNDP Kenya
