In 2019, Ewaso Lions launched a new programme to address the challenges communities and domestic dogs face in the Samburu landscape. The programme known as Kura’s Pride (named after Ewaso Lions’ famous first dog Kura), will hopefully lead to healthier dogs and could lead to less human-carnivore conflict, reduced disease transmission to wild carnivores and an overall healthier balance between people, livestock, wildlife and the environment.
“Kura and Nanyori are two of the luckiest dogs in Samburu, however sadly not all dogs are valued and taken care of. Through Kura’s Pride, we will be able to improve the lives of thousands of Samburu dogs, ultimately helping communities better deal with potential conflict, and helping wildlife through less disease transmission. It is a win-win for everyone”. Dr Shivani Bhalla, Ewaso Lions.
Kura’s Pride, our Community Animal Health Initiative, has 4 main objectives:
- Managing rabies and canine distemper diseases in domestic carnivore populations through vaccinations and domestic carnivores’ population control
- Disease surveillance and monitoring (focusing on canine distemper and rabies)
- Emergency treatments of animals attacked by wild animals
- Education and awareness programmes to communities in order to reduce burden of disease and improve responsible domestic animal ownership and welfare.
Highlights and impact made between 2021 and 2022 (with collaborating partners)
The overall impact between 2021 and 2022 is as follows:
A total of 904 animals were attended including; 764 dogs, 87 camels, 35 cats, 8 donkeys, 7 goats, 2 sheep and 1 cow.
Of these:
- A total of 370 dogs and cats were vaccinated, 91.4% were dogs (vaccinated against Rabies and Canine Distemper) and 8.6% cats (vaccinated against Rabies and Cat flu).
- A total of 318 animals received clinical treatment for any sickness reported as well as preventative treatment: Deworming and ectoparasite control. Part of the clinical treatment included treatment of 177 dogs that had Suspected Canine. Distemper after an outbreak occurred. Animal species treated include 309 dogs, 8 camels, 1 cat and1 sheep.
- A total of 111 animals were also treated as emergency cases. The animals included 79 camels, 17 dogs, 7 donkeys, 6 goats, 1 cow and 1 sheep.
- A total of 104 dogs and cats received population control services. Nine additional dogs underwent population control procedures as part of Transmissible venereal tumor management, which is under treatments.
- 1 necropsy was carried out.
We have reached 464 community members through the various education campaigns. We have been able to: show 8 community films, 2 school visits, 6 Lion Kids Camp and have a women’s education running on one health.
We would like to thank the County Government of Samburu and more specifically Dr Lekinit, County Director of Veterinary Services and his team, for their unwavering support of this initiative. Many thanks to the Westgate Community Conservancy and all communities for the support and acceptance of this project. We also thank our supporters who fund this critical work and our partners the Foundation for International Aid to Animals as well as all parties who made this possible are gratefully appreciated.
We are very excited to present to you a film we produced in 2021 which will be used to help spread awareness on dog welfare and vaccinations.
Next Steps
- The programme will invest more in disease surveillance (Rabies, Canine Distemper, and Transmissible Venereal Tumor) as well as community awareness on One Health
- The focus will be within Westgate Community Conservancy for the following 2 years (2022-2023).
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.