Kenya Wildlife Service Fund The Kenya Wildlife Service Fund is an endowment fund dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and the world’s heritage. Sustaining and protecting wildlife in the 21st century and beyond is more complex and expensive than ever. Conservation work today is supported primarily by tourism and international organisations. But tourism is notoriously volatile. The KWS Fund is designed to provide reliable, consistent funding, despite fluctuating tourist income, shifting politics and the vagaries of international economics. By definition, the principal of an endowment fund cannot be touched: only interest and other income may be tapped. So the fund will be able to support wildlife and community conservation efforts generation after generation. For example, the funds needed for security, research and monitoring, translocations, infrastructure and other requirements in Kenya’s national parks alone come to US$72 million (KES 5.4 billion) annually. This does
Target
tions, the Government of Kenya, multilateral and bilateral assistance, corporations and concerned citizens in Kenya and around the world.
The endowment fund’s goal is US$100 million over a decade. At an assumed interest rate of 10 per cent a year, about US$10 million a year will then be available.
In addition to donations from individuals, corporations and development partners, funds have been received via the following events and organisations.
How is the fund managed?
- Kenya Wildlife Service Animal Adoption Programme (which gives half its proceeds to the fund)
not include the needs of national reserves or private or community conservancies.
The fund is managed by a board of trustees made up of internationally recognised experts in conservation and finance. The board comprises between nine and 13 trustees and is appointed for three years. It includes the chairman and director of KWS. Trustees are personally and collectively responsible and liable for the fund. Fund management follows international accounting standards, with all transactions transparent and all books audited yearly by independent auditors. Everyone can contribute to the fund, including visitors, founda-
- To Hells Gate on Wheelbarrow event held every June at Hell’s Gate National Park - Cycle with the Rhino event held each September at Lake Nakuru National Park.
For more information log onto www.kws.go.ke or email rmworks@kws.go.ke.