Chinese companies back conservation

Several Chinese companies are supporting high-impact conservation efforts in East Africa as part of their social responsibility initiatives.

Under the umbrella of the Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association, the companies are identifying and collaborating with not-for-profit organizations to save endangered wildlife species on the global list of threatened animals.

On Jan 9, 11 Chinese companies donated $11,000 to the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, which is racing toward saving the eastern or mountain bongo from extinction. Poaching and human activity have decreased the population of the rare antelope species to fewer than 100 in the region.

"We are very excited and moved by this generous donation from Chinese companies. It will go a long way toward furthering our conservation efforts in this region," says Jane McKeand, one of the directors of the conservancy. "More specifically, it will boost our efforts in preventing the extinction of bongos and fund our breeding program, which has been a success."

The program - among the three most important wildlife projects worldwide, according to the American Zoo and Aquarium Association in 2006 - has so far seen a dramatic increase of the herd from just two in 2004 to 63. Plans are underway to release the animals into the wild, according to program manager Donald Bunge.

"This important gift from the Chinese association couldn't have come at a better time, since we are facing a major budget deficit this year," he says. "The area is also experiencing a dry season, meaning that food and care for the animals - which include other wild animals in the orphanage - will go up."

He adds that the conservancy is also running other critical programs, such as creating awareness among youths about wildlife conservation, together with a recently launched research department focused on the Mount Kenya ecosystem, which is one of the country's important water resources. It is also recognized by the United Nations as a world heritage site.

In presenting the donation, Guo Ce, counselor at the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, says everyone has a responsibility for conserving the environment. "Chinese companies working in Kenya are now part of the community; therefore, they are exercising their roles as responsible businesses."

The list included such names as Sinohydro Corp, China Road and Bridge Corp, China Wu Yi, Aviation Industry Corp of Kenya and Huawei Technologies. This is the second donation in three months by the association.

"Despite running individual CSR programs, our members are going the extra mile to be part of this economy," says Mao Qinghua, president of the KCETA members council.

Mao says the 84-member group is rooting for projects that link conservation with the well-being of communities living around wildlife. In November the group donated $40,000 to boost the efforts of the Kenya Wildlife Service in upgrading awareness programs among Kenyan teenagers.

lucymorangi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 01/13/2017 page29)