K’S PATH: Protecting Kuwait’s Animals, Environment And Natural Habitat

K’S PATH (Kuwait Society for Protection of Animals and Their Habitat) – formerly known as Animal Friends Kuwait - is a ground-breaking local non-profit organisation dedicated to preservation of bio-diversity, environment protection, natural habitat conservation, and animal welfare in Kuwait. It was established in May 2005 by Ayeshah Al Humaidhi.

K’S PATH strives to improve the quality of companion animals' lives by rescuing and providing them with shelter, food and medical attention; and educating people and school students about the basic needs, proper treatment and care of animals. It also encourages spaying and neutering as the only way to control animal overpopulation.

K’S PATH provides sanctuary and relocation for wild animals, both indigenous and illegally smuggled. This includes: eliminating illegal trade, monitoring legal trade, monitoring state-run and private facilities which house wild animals, conducting investigations into smuggling and cruelty, helping oversee natural areas in Kuwait, and generally improving conditions for all wild animals living in or migrating through Kuwait. The government of Kuwait has signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which controls and regulates the international trade of animals. However, it is struggling to implement the required law enforcement. K’S PATH intends to effect positive change by acting as the sanctuary facility of choice for smuggled animals and to help facilitate their rescue, rehabilitation and relocation. K’S PATH also rescues and provides sanctuary for abused and abandoned farm animals and offers education for schools and individuals on the subject of farm animals and food sources.

Habitat protection is one of the key focus areas of K’S PATH’s operations. This includes K’S PATH’s sustained Marine Conservation Program which aims to protect and restore the fragile marine ecosystem along Kuwait’s Bay and islands through clean-ups and an education program; and facilitating the rescue, rehabilitation and sanctuary for migratory marine birds and raptors.

Migratory Bird Protection

K’S PATH is committed to the protection and rehabilitation of migratory birds and conservation of their natural habitat. Kuwait falls on the flyway between Eurasia and Africa – a route plied by many migratory bird species twice a year; from late spring to early summer and fall to early winter. Kuwait is frequented by over 200 species of migratory birds including raptors, flamingos and other endangered species. Their wellbeing is at stake due to direct and indirect human activities such as pollution of their natural habitat and nesting grounds, and the cruel act of bird hunting. Many raptors are found dehydrated, distressed and injured due to low visibility and the impact of fierce sand-laden winds during dust-storms.

In spring-summer 2011 alone, K’S PATH rescued over five different injured raptor species including the endangered Egyptian Vulture, the Steppe Eagle, the Short Toed Snake Eagle and Falcons. In the safety and comfort of our shelter in Wafra, they were provided critical medical care, protection, nourishment and rehabilitation. Each of our specialized bird enclosures has been thoughtfully designed and built for the mental and physical wellbeing of their residents. Once the birds convalesce, they are tested for flight and prey ability before being released in a suitable habitat in Kuwait. In early summer 2011, K’S PATH released a Steppe Eagle who had recovered during migratory season. In November 2011, it released an Egyptian Vulture that had undergone surgery to remove multiple shot. If birds are unable to hunt and fly independently after recovery, they are provided sanctuary at our shelter and play a crucial role in our Migratory Birds education program.

Marine Conservation Program

K’S PATH Marine Conservation Program is built upon the preliminary independent underwater island clean-ups conducted by K’S PATH’s Managing Director John Peaveler a few years ago. As the implementation partner of ‘Al Yaal’ in partnership with en.v, K’S PATH Marine Conservation protects Kuwait’s fragile marine ecosystem along the shoreline from Shuwaikh to Doha and the three islands of Kubbar, Garoh and Umm Almaradim. These areas are rich in coral reef and serve as natural nesting grounds for migratory birds and turtles. They also see high concentrations of direct and indirect man-made waste. Through weekly beach and island clean-ups, education and advocacy, volunteering and community engagement, K’S PATH has conducted over 50 clean-ups since the launch of the program in April 2011.

To date since the inception of the program in April 2011, K’S PATH marine conservation has collected over 13 tonnes of terrestrial marine waste, which is subsequently segregated into categories for recycling. We have engaged over 500 volunteers to cover more than 190,000 square metres of beach. Some of the species that we have documented include the Greater Flamingo, Mudskippers, Black Winged Stilt, Wagtails, Kentish Plowers, the Eurasian Lark, Ghost Crabs, Blue Crabs and the Sentinel Crab as well as spotted cadavers of Hammerhead Sharks, Dolphins, Sting Rays and several species of migratory raptors. We have developed and implemented a thorough methodology for site surveys, KPIs for waste assessment, waste collection operandi, volunteer briefing and a progressive volunteer career growth program. We have also visited over 15 private schools and universities in Kuwait to conduct sessions on marine conservation and developed topical articles on Kuwait’s marine environment. We have successfully secured the support of the Ministry of Interior, KISR, Kuwait Municipality, KRCS, key Kuwait media and environmental groups to participate in our marine conservation program.

Farm Animals and Food Source

Animals destined for food in Kuwait face inhumane and often gruesome circumstances. To begin with, Kuwait imports nearly 1 million live animals per year.  The process of transporting these live sheep and cattle from ports in Australia to Kuwait causes great suffering and death.  Animals which are not imported live are raised either in factory conditions or in desert herds with little access to food, water, or proper veterinary care.

As an Islamic nation, Kuwait is obliged to adhere to Halal standards for the rearing and slaughter of food animals.  Many aspects of food animal production and slaughter in Kuwait violate these standards.  Additionally, Kuwait is a signatory of the OIE guidelines, which dictate standards for the transport, handling, and slaughter of food animals on the basis of human health and safety, as well as humane reasons.  Despite Kuwait’s agreement, animals are routinely handled in ways which violate guidelines.

K’S PATH’s believes that proper implementation of Halal rearing and slaughter requirements and of the OIE guidelines will significantly improve welfare for farm animals.  K’S PATH believes the most effective means of improving the lives of farm animals in Kuwait is to educate the population about where their food comes from and their ability to make responsible food choices, such as fresh or frozen meat from OIE abiding nations.  Finally, providing education to animal owners and vet care to their animals will decrease what is now high mortality in Kuwaiti herds and can therefore reduce the need to import animals from other countries. K'S PATH also supports vegetarian and vegan lifestyles as the single most effective ways to eliminate animal suffering.

How you can help?

You can support K’S PATH’s activities in Kuwait in multiple ways: adopt a companion animal, make a donation in kind or cash, sponsor one of our various animal welfare and habitat programs, or sign up as a volunteer by emailing volunteers@ kspath.org. For further information, please visit our website www.kspath.org, email info@kspath.orgor call our Shelter Line at (+965) 67001622.

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