August 01, 2005 | Dr. Gary Ransdell
"A key platform in WKU's strategic plan is the University's priority for internationalizing the Western Experience for students and faculty."

Note: This journal entry has been adapted from an article written by WKU President Gary Ransdell about his trip to Kenya. A full version will appear in the Winter issue of Alumni magazine and a version will appear in the August issue of Echo online.
Photos: Gary Ransdell

A key platform in WKU’s strategic plan is the University’s priority for internationalizing the Western Experience for students and faculty. WKU engagement across the globe is important to ensure that as many WKU students as possible have meaningful interactions with other cultures, other geographies, other religions, other beliefs, and other civilizations—past and present. It is important for faculty to remain current in world affairs to ensure that teaching and research is timely and relevant in light of changing world politics and problems.

In order to be more personally engaged myself, Julie and I accompanied two members of our Biology faculty and 10 WKU students to Kenya this past summer. The faculty and students worked as they toured; Julie and I assisted and observed.

The result of these experiences, not just our Kenya experience, but also our study abroad opportunities across the globe, is an enriched academic experience at WKU. Our students better understand the significance and value of our American democracy and the unique quality of life we enjoy throughout our nation. We also come to understand the responsibility we share for helping others across the globe have a better chance to experience the things we take for granted.

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"We saw the grandest plant and animal life on the globe."

In Kenya, we saw the grandest plant and animal life on the globe. We also saw a nation mired in corruption and poverty and plagued by AIDS/HIV. We saw populations whose way of life has remained unchanged for centuries despite the new world order driven by technology.

WKU has exchanged agreements with universities throughout the world and our study abroad opportunities are growing. What struck me the most about what we are building in Kenya, however, is the profound mutual benefit promised to the people of both nations. Led by Biology faculty Michael Stokes and Doug McElroy , we have consummated a long-term agreement with the University of Nairobi (UON), perhaps the premier research university in Kenya. Physiology Professor Charles Kimwele, who is teaching at WKU for the fall 2005 semester, is our principle contact at UON. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between our two institutions allows us to access UON’s agreement with the Kenyan Wildlife Service (KWS) and a nonprofit Youth for Conservation (YFC) organization.


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"We learned, however, that such blessed natural resources are threatened in Africa."

While in Kenya, we observed the migration of exotic animals as they moved across the African landscape—giraffes, elephants, rhinos, zebra, wildebeest, gazelles, hyenas, water buffalo, a vast array of birds, and everyone’s favorite, lions. We learned, however, that such blessed natural resources are threatened in Africa. Our students, whose WKU majors range from Biology and Biodiversity Studies to Anthropology, Political Science and Photojournalism, learned much from our colleagues at UON and from friends at YFC and KWS.

We studied passionate views to conserve plant and animal life and conflicting views related to simple human needs—to avoid starvation and have some shot at a decent quality of life. Not a life like we enjoy in America, but a basic dream of clean water, a suitable meal and electricity—none of which exists for millions of people throughout many African nations.

The need to survive and achieve some monetary capacity has led to extensive poaching of animals both in and outside of the game reserves. Africa’s most treasured animal species are caught in a constant tug between human survival and sustained ecological and economic value.

"Life is harsh. Survial is difficult. Comfort is a foreign concept."

WKU and UON are establishing a primitive but important research center near the village of Kasigau, located near the Tsavo nature reserve. Kasigau exists in an arid climate, but its beauty is spectacular. One can see Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance and it sits directly in the migration pattern for animals moving through the Tsavo reserve. Agriculture is difficult given the dry climate and migrating herds of exotic animals. Dangers are real, given the predatory animals nearby. Life is harsh. Survival is difficult. Comfort is a foreign concept. Most people in Kasigau live in huts made from sticks, mud and thatched grass.

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"WKU group helping to combat illegal poaching"

One outcome from this trip which I found particularly compelling is the undergraduate honors thesis being written by Bradley Smith, a WKU senior from Louisville. There is one known study of bush meat commercialization conducted by the Born Free Foundation in Kenya several years ago. That study, however, was done in the absence of scientific DNA analysis to confirm precise bush meat distribution as compared to proper distribution of domestic meat products. Bradley, accompanied by a local volunteer for the KWS, entered numerous small primitive sidewalk-style butcheries to acquire some 100 samples of their lowest priced meat. Using DNA testing and GPS tracking equipment provided by both universities, Bradley will be able to determine unequivocally which meat samples are from legal domestic animals and which are from illegally poached bush animals. The KWS will then use this data to help determine the location and frequency of poaching and the degree in which progress is being made to help control illegal poaching of exotic animals.

Another action which makes this experience so rich is a series of desnaring excursions into the African bush near Kasigau and the Tsavo national wildlife reserve. Led by officials from the YFC and protected by officials with the KWS, our students searched the grasslands and bush for poacher’s snares. The morning in which Julie and I joined them, we found and removed 25 snares. That evening, we met with villagers in Kasigau to discuss (or debate with some) why poaching is detrimental and wildlife has economic value.

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"We are making friends that will enrich our lives for many years."

The agreement between WKU and UON has many profound and long-term possibilities. We have access to animals and ecological life that we could not possibly access in America. They have access to science and research capacities that they are not likely to access in Africa. We are helping a village provide for themselves in a more economically viable manner. We are helping deter illegal poaching and the sell and consumption of illegal bush meat, and we are making friends that will enrich our respected for many years.

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