Kenyan team trains with marine mammal rescue experts

(Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 16 June 2023) - Kenyan marine mammal rescuers have trained with global experts in one of the world’s leading stranding hotspots.

The rescuers traveled to Cape Cod in the United States, where they were trained in marine mammal stranding and disentanglement response.

Cape Cod is a global hotspot for cetacean strandings, and IFAW’s lifesaving efforts in the field and innovative research have revolutionized how stranded marine mammals are rescued, treated, and released.

The training aimed to increase the capacity of the two Kenyan rescuers for marine mammal response in their home area while also creating opportunities for future trainings and collaborations. Michael Mwango’mbe from the Kenya Marine Mammal Research and Conservation (KMMREC) and Lynn Njuguna from the Wildlife Research and Training Institute are both based in Watamu, Kenya. The duo received training in all aspects of cetacean stranding response, from live dolphin health assessments to a necropsy with the expert IFAW team. They were also trained in whale disentanglement at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown. 

“This apprenticeship has created an opportunity for us to work side by side with experienced marine mammal scientists and veterinarians, who shared their journey, tips, and tricks and opened an avenue for knowledge sharing and support,“ said Michael. “We will share the knowledge gained to inspire more young people in the field of marine mammal science and to find solutions to tackle strandings and disentanglements in the future.”

“It was very interesting to observe how marine mammal rescue techniques and protocols incorporate solutions from other fields and how the IFAW team has adopted them for the benefit of their conservation work. I experienced first-hand how a well coordinated volunteer program can positively impact citizens’ perception of conservation work, and I aim to cultivate this spirit in my organization back home,” added Lynn. 

The duo hopes the training will help build stronger collaboration with government agencies, non-state agencies, and community-based organizations working to save species within the marine environment.

“It has been great to have Mike and Lynn join our teams for these trainings. This was something that has been in the plans for several years but was delayed due to the pandemic. We look forward to our future work together and its benefits to marine animals,“ said Brian Sharp, IFAW’s Director of Marine Mammal Rescue and Research.

The training follows IFAW’s support of a marine megafauna survey on the Kenyan coast in March and is part of a larger marine conservation program along the East African coastline.

These trainings are arranged in coordination with the International Whaling Commission and the Center for Coastal Studies and is made possible by a contribution from the Dutch Postcode Lottery.

Press contact

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact: 
Aaron Teitelbaum
Communications Manager, Marine Conservation
m: +1 202 677 2670
e: ateitelbaum@ifaw.org

Jacqueline Nyagah
International Relations, East Africa
m: + 254722607640
e: jnyagah@ifaw.org