For the past several years, AWI has supported the Africa Animal Welfare Conference (AAWC), an annual event that draws government officials, animal protection groups, and animal advocates from across the continent. Delegates share experiences, learn of new tools and techniques, and discuss the challenges of animal protection in Africa.

The 8th AAWC, held at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, was organized and cohosted by the Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW)—a long-time AWI ally—in collaboration with UNEP, the government of Kenya, and the African Union–InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU–IBAR). ANAW invited AWI to participate this year, and AWI’s executive director and CEO, Susan Millward, was pleased to accept. While in Kenya, Susan was able to look in on some of the ANAW projects AWI supports (see below), as well as meet with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officials to discuss AWI’s ongoing support for the agency’s stalwart wildlife protection efforts.
This year’s conference theme was “Partnership Actions to Improve Animal Welfare and Environmental Sustainability,” with emphasis on the relationship between animal welfare, environmental protection, and human health. On day one, an “Innovations, Education and Emerging Trends in Animal Welfare” panel discussion examined how emergent technologies could help with wildlife protection, as well as how societal trends might aid a transition from industrial animal production to equitable, humane, and sustainable food systems. Other sessions addressed topics such as human-animal interfaces in urban areas, cage-free chicken campaigns (currently, most chickens in Africa are raised cage free, but factory farming driven by overseas companies is looming), and the welfare of working donkeys.
Day two was dedicated to sessions related to UNEP, including how civil society can work within the UN system to further key goals. UNEP officials and others gave presentations on the value of engaging with this UN program at the biannual UN Environment Assembly (UNEA). One presentation addressed the “Animal Welfare, Environment and Sustainable Development Nexus Resolution” passed at UNEA 5.2 in 2022. This groundbreaking declaration, championed by many African countries, represents the first formal UN acknowledgement of animal welfare as an issue that is indelibly linked to human health and a healthy environment and therefore must be addressed as part of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. Other sessions focused on UNEP–civil society interactions, animal transport by sea, and animals in disasters—with examinations of flood responses in Kenya and climate change impacts in Ghana.
On the final day of the conference, Susan moderated a lively discussion on wildlife conservation. Presentations were made on improving bird welfare and conservation, the power of storytelling and education to inspire an affinity for nature, clinical approaches in the rehabilitation of African grey parrots, integrated conservation education, and transboundary partnerships to combat wildlife trafficking. Other sessions featured presentations and discussions on overcoming barriers to adoption of animal welfare policies, improving fish welfare in the growing aquaculture industry, and the relationship between environmental sustainability and animal welfare. The final session featured a presentation by AU–IBAR’s Dr. Mwenda Mbaka on understanding animal sentience—a perfect way to round out this wonderful conference.
Student visits and saving animals
Outside the conference, Susan spent time with ANAW staff to observe their work in person and reaffirm the value of our financial support. She visited schools in the Rift Valley and in areas bordering Tsavo National Park where—as elsewhere in Kenya—ANAW has established animal welfare clubs. These clubs encourage students to respect animals and learn how to coexist with those encountered near their homes, including elephants, hyenas, and big cats. Young people from economically disadvantaged families who show a strong interest in animal protection are sponsored by ANAW—part of an effort to break the cycle of poverty, foster a greater understanding of and empathy for animals, and develop future animal protection leaders. AWI supports much of this work, which made meeting the students all the more meaningful.
Susan was also invited to accompany the ANAW de-snaring team on several missions in a region near Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley. Snaring bushmeat for personal use is a significant issue in protected areas and beyond in Kenya. Locals use easily obtainable wire from fencing and other sources to craft simple wire rings that will tighten around an animal’s limbs and other body parts, often leading to a slow, agonizing death. These homemade snares trap indiscriminately. In one day with the team, Susan and ANAW colleagues found over a dozen such snares. ANAW is using educational programs to deter snaring, but it’s difficult, especially in impoverished rural areas where money and provisions are tight and wild animals so available (and often seen as a nuisance or safety threat).

Susan joined the ANAW team on two animal rescue missions. The first was for a zebra with a large growth on his neck. With two KWS rangers, a KWS vet, and an ANAW vet, the group set out. The zebra was located and stunned with a dart. Once the animal was immobilized, the afflicted area was carefully trimmed and cleaned, and surgery was performed to remove the growth. Afterwards, the incision was sutured and the zebra revived via an injection. As this took place, herd mates stood close by and brayed their alarm.
A more difficult rescue involved a free-roaming hyena with a wire snare embedded in his neck. A local warden at a privately owned wildlife conservancy had reported the ensnared animal. The team headed out early in the morning to search for the hyena at a watering hole on the property where he had last been seen. A large speaker system positioned on top of the safari truck boomed recordings of lions after a successful hunt—sounds known to attract other carnivores. Within 15 minutes, two black-backed jackals approached, followed by several hyenas.
Eventually, the snared hyena was spotted and darted, and the team quickly set to work removing the wire embedded in his neck. Fortunately, although the flesh constricted by the wire was very inflamed, it had not yet developed into an open wound, and stitches were not needed. During the procedure, one of the KWS rangers kept a lookout for other animals to protect the team and hyena until the sedative wore off and the animal was able to wander away, free from the tormenting snare.