In 2019, Ewaso Lions launched an innovative programme called Kura’s Pride, named after our renowned first dog, Kura. This initiative aims to tackle the challenges faced by communities and domestic dogs in the Samburu landscape. Kura’s Pride strives to promote healthier dogs, reduce human-carnivore conflict, minimise disease transmission to wild carnivores, and foster a harmonious balance between people, livestock, wildlife, and the environment through the One Health approach.
Kura’s Pride: Our Community Animal Health Initiative
The programme focuses on four main objectives:
1. Disease Management: Implementing vaccinations and population control measures to manage rabies and canine distemper in domestic carnivores.
2. Surveillance and Monitoring: Conducting ongoing surveillance and monitoring of diseases, particularly rabies and canine distemper.
3. Emergency Treatment: Providing urgent care for domestic animals injured by wildlife.
4. Education and Awareness: Offering education and awareness programmes to communities to reduce disease burden and promote responsible domestic animal ownership and welfare.
Through Kura’s Pride, we are committed to creating a healthier environment for both humans and animals in the Samburu region.
© Simatwa Ngachi
© Simatwa Ngachi
Highlights and Impact: 2021-2023
Between 2021 and 2023, Kura’s Pride managed to attend to 3104 animals. Of these cases, 2754 were dogs, 207 cats, 110 camels, 19 donkeys, 10 goats, 3 sheep and 1 cow.
The case type distribution was: 1916 vaccinations, 195 population control procedures, 850 clinical treatments and 143 emergency response interventions.
Additionally, we have been able to engage with our community members on various topics such as responsible animal ownership, diseases that dogs and cats get as well as conservation through the One Health approach. We have managed to reach 1003 people through community films, community education programmes, local school visits and Lion Kids Camps.
Raising Awareness Through Film
We are excited to present a film we produced in 2021 to help spread awareness about dog welfare and vaccinations. This film is a crucial tool in our ongoing efforts to educate and engage communities, ensuring a healthier and more harmonious environment for all.
Acknowledgements
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the County Government of Samburu, particularly Dr Lekinit, the County Director of Veterinary Services, and his team, for their unwavering support of this initiative. We also express our sincere thanks to the Westgate Community Conservancy and all the local communities for their enthusiastic support and acceptance of this project.
We are deeply grateful to our supporters whose funding makes this critical work possible, and to our partners, Vet In Wild, Animal Care Centre and the Foundation for International Aid to Animals. Your contributions and collaboration have been invaluable, and we appreciate all parties who have made this initiative a success.
More on Kura’s Pride
Read about Rapid response to canine distemper outbreak
Read about Kura’s Pride – Big news and huge milestones
Read about Kura’s Pride Diaries
Read about Kura’s Pride Vision
If you would like to support Kura’s Pride or want to hear about our future plans, please feel free to contact shivani@ewasolions.org