THE VIEWFINDERNEWSLETTER: ISSUE No 54, DECEMBER 2008 [BELATED SEASONAL GREETINGS][INCREASES IN PARK FEES] [KENYA UPDATE][VISAS][SOLIO TRANSLOCATION] BELATED SEASONAL GREETINGS – AND WHY THEY ARE BELATED As the festive season rapidly approaches, we apologise for being a little late in sending our annual greetings. This is due to an incredible amount of film clients in Kenya over the past three months, the most demanding of which was the BBC’s Big Cat “Live”. Though we have been looking after Big Cat since its inception in 1996, the “live” element was more challenging than usual. 94 people, 35 tons of equipment, 13 lorries, 67 internal flights, 17 charter planes, 92 batteries, and more than the usual amount of headaches. But it worked, despite the 18-ton generator truck not arriving in time. And this year, for the first time ever, we were able to get the live programmes aired on local television. The new channel K24 aired all eight programmes, just one week after the show had been transmitted in the UK. This proved immensely popular with Kenyan viewers, and the channel was inundated with messages asking for more. As soon as Big Cat was over, Jean went to the Wildscreen festival in Bristol, and on her return Mia went for a well earned two week holiday to Thailand. At least, that was the plan - the demonstrations at Bangkok airport were not foreseen, and as a result Mia was one of over 100,000 people stranded and trying to get home. However, she’s now back, these things are sent to try us and we will get back to normal as soon as possible. Despite the bad start to 2008, we have handled nearly 70 film crews this year, and the first few months of 2009 are already looking busy. We thank you for coming, and hope to see you again soon (with the exception of those who haven’t paid their bills).
New year, new life. This charming picture is by Cynthia Moss, and the subject is the latest addition to Echo’s family. Meet Eudora’s new calf, as yet unnamed. As expected, some National Parks and Reserves are increasing their entry fees with effect from 1st January 2009. Filming fees, so far, are not affected. Kenya Wildlife Service: the following are the new daily entry rates for non-residents in National Parks: Amboseli and Nakuru US$60; Aberdares, Tsavo E&W, Meru, Chyulu, Mt Kenya, US$50; Nairobi US$40; Hell’s Gate US$25; Longonot, Shimba Hills and Kakamega US$20. Maasai Mara: the Mara Conservancy are increasing the daily rate for non-residents to US$60, but the Narok County Council will remain at US$40 until further notice.
Everyone knows that Kenya had a bad start to 2008. As a result of intervention by Kofi Annan and his team, political agreement was reached in February and since then we have had a ‘coalition government’, with President Kibaki and the Vice President Raila Odinga in charge, though representing different political parties. Despite fears that this would turn into a “collision government”, the agreement has held together so far. What is interesting is that the Kenyan people are now effectively the ‘opposition’, as everyone in Parliament sits on the same side of the house. A new generation of young, educated, motivated Kenyans is now voicing their opinions and keeping the politicians in line. When MPs refused to pay income tax, the people objected, with over 90% insisting that MPs should pay taxes the same as everyone else. Now MPs have been forced to pay up. Politicians have been openly criticised for concentrating on campaigning for the 2012 elections instead of dealing with current problems, and it seems that there is a definite ‘breeze’ of change in the right direction – one would hesitate to call it a full-blown ‘wind’ of change, but things seem to be moving in the right direction. People arriving recently have had problems with visas because they were not carrying cash in US$. The Immigration officials will now not accept any other currency, so be warned. They are also picky about the date on the US cash, and will not accept notes that are dated before the year 2000.
Earlier this year, 15,500 acres on the eastern boundary of Solio ranch was sold to the Government of Kenya, for the resettlement of squatters. This area contains a lot of wildlife, including 480 rare Lelwel hartebeest, and numbers of impala, Thompson’s gazelle, oryx, and eland. Knowing that these animals will be decimated by a sudden influx of people, a group of conservation bodies got together to raise funds for a major translocation. These included Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Tusk Trust, Tusk USA, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Mugie Ranch, Kenya Wildlife Service and several volunteers. The translocation, hampered by rains, took place in November. 199 hartebeest and 135 zebras were successfully moved to Lewa, Ol Pejeta, Mugie, Mwea National Reserve and the Aberdares. There is little time left and more funds are needed for further translocations, but it is hoped that a another similar exercise will take place soon.
We wish you a safe and enjoyable silly season, and may the year 2009 be full of innovative films of exceptionally high standards.
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