MVC CYBERFLASHES January 23, 2015 | Page 21

to provide fishing. The migratory paths along Lake Naivasha were being destroyed by the local rose industry. Naturalist Joan Root spent the last decade of her life trying to save the lake and its wildlife. 4. Elephant Orphanage. Founded in 1977 by Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick D.B.E, in honor of the memory of her late husband, famous naturalist and founding Warden of Tsavo East National Park, David Leslie William Sheldrick MBE, the conservation activities in this project has achieved world-wide acclaim through its successful elephant and rhino rescue and rehab program. The Orphan’s Projects exists to offer hope for the future of Kenya’s threatened elephant and rhino populations as they struggle against the threat of poaching for their ivory and horn, and the loss of habitat due to human population pressures and conflict, deforestation and drought. Todate, the Orphanage has successfully hand-raised over 150 infant elephants and has accomplished its long-tern conservation priority by effectively reintegrating orphans back into the wild herds of Tsavo. 5. The Nairobi National Park is a unique ecosystem by being the only protected area in the world close to a capital city. The park is located only 7 km from downtown Nairobi. The savannah ecosystem comprise of different vegetation types. Open grass plains with scattered acacia bush are predominant. The western side has a highland dry forest and a permanent river with a riverine forest. To the south are the Athi-Kapiti Plains and Kitengela migration corridor which are important wildlife dispersal areas during the rainy season. Man-made dams within the park have added a further habitat, favorable to certain species of birds and other aquatic biome. Major wildlife attractions are the black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, buffaloes, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, elands and diverse birdlife with over 400 species recorded. Other attractions include the Ivory burning site Monument, Nairobi Safari Walk, the Orphanage and the walking trails at hippo pools. There are far many more beautiful places that you can visit in Kenya. Go to http://visitkenya.com/ to learn more. Of perhaps you can write to the General Conference (JemOrillosa?), Nellie Llaguno, or Elnorie Caballero, or any of the missionaries in Kenya for ideas on what you and your group can do to help. 21 | P a g e