Kenya will commemorate World Wildlife Day (WWD) 2025 with a national celebration at Lake Bogoria in Marigat, Baringo County, on March 3, 2025.
The event will spotlight the crucial link between conservation efforts and sustainable livelihoods, aligning with this year’s theme, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet.”
Nationally, Kenya has adapted the theme to “Wildlife Conservation Finance: A Shared Future for Wildlife and Sustainable Livelihoods,” emphasizing its commitment to ensuring that conservation benefits both nature and local communities.
Baringo County, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity, provides a fitting backdrop for the celebrations.
Home to Lake Bogoria, a UNESCO Ramsar site, the region shelters thousands of lesser flamingos, as well as iconic species like the greater kudu, African fish eagles, and the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe.
Beyond Lake Bogoria, the county also boasts diverse ecosystems, including Lake Baringo, Lake Kamnarok National Reserve, and community conservancies such as Ruko and Kaptuiya.
These areas support a wide array of wildlife, including elephants, patas monkeys and the elusive giant pangolin, making Baringo a key biodiversity hotspot.
Over the years, local communities in Baringo have played a vital role in conservation, demonstrating how grassroots stewardship can drive sustainable development.
Community-led conservancies, eco-tourism projects, and nature-based enterprises have not only safeguarded wildlife but also created economic opportunities for residents.
These initiatives highlight the importance of integrating conservation with community well-being, a core focus of this year’s WWD celebrations.
The 2025 event coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), reinforcing global efforts to regulate wildlife trade while ensuring species survival.
As a CITES signatory, Kenya remains a leader in conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity.
The celebrations will bring together government officials, conservation organizations, community representatives, and tourism sector stakeholders. Key activities will include:
- High-level discussions on innovative conservation financing mechanisms, such as carbon credits, payment for ecosystem services (PES), and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
- Community showcases featuring nature-based enterprises like beekeeping, eco-tourism, and sustainable agriculture, demonstrate how conservation can drive economic growth.
- Educational exhibitions and awareness campaigns to promote wildlife conservation and highlight biodiversity’s importance.
- Cultural performances celebrating the role of Indigenous communities in conservation and their traditional knowledge of sustainable resource management.
- Essay and art competitions for students, fostering a new generation of conservation champions.
Kenya’s wildlife is a national treasure, significantly contributing to the economy through tourism while supporting millions of livelihoods.
However, challenges such as habitat loss, climate change, and human-wildlife conflict continue to threaten this heritage. Addressing these issues requires sustainable financing models that ensure long-term investment in conservation while benefiting local communities.
The 2025 World Wildlife Day celebrations will highlight Kenya’s leadership in conservation finance, showcasing models that protect ecosystems, support livelihoods, and contribute to global biodiversity and climate goals.
By hosting this event in Baringo County, Kenya reaffirms its commitment to a future where both people and wildlife thrive together.
World Wildlife Day is observed annually on March 3rd to raise awareness about the need to protect wild animals and plants.
This year’s celebrations in Kenya will serve as a powerful reminder that sustainable conservation finance is key to securing a shared future for wildlife and communities.
