Overview
Draft animal power has been harnessed for agricultural purposes for thousands of years, especially in developing countries. In Kenya, like many other parts of Africa, oxen are a significant source of draft animal power in many rural farming communities. They are mainly used in agricultural and transport tasks such as ploughing, weeding, water transport for domestic use, and transport of farm inputs and produce as well as being used for commercial transport services. These tasks expose oxen to several welfare challenges that impact on their performance and wellbeing. The knowledge on general requirements of working oxen among owners, handlers and veterinary service providers is highly important in ensuring optimal provision of basic needs and ensuring good welfare. The level of care and welfare of oxen in Kenya is poorly documented, yet these are key in implementing sustainable working animal improvement programs. It is against this backdrop that the oxen welfare improvement program was initiated by the University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenya, in partnership with The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA), UK. This project aims to provide and support delivery of quality animal healthcare to the oxen, educate the community on good animal welfare practices, train current and future Veterinary oxen welfare support workforce on innovative clinical approaches and championing of welfare in Embu County, Kenya.
Sponser
University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenya
The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA), UK
Principal Investigator
Abstract
Draft animal power has been harnessed for agricultural purposes for thousands of years, especially in developing countries. In Kenya, like many other parts of Africa, oxen are a significant source of draft animal power in many rural farming communities. They are mainly used in agricultural and transport tasks such as ploughing, weeding, water transport for domestic use, and transport of farm inputs and produce as well as being used for commercial transport services. These tasks expose oxen to several welfare challenges that impact on their performance and wellbeing. The knowledge on general requirements of working oxen among owners, handlers and veterinary service providers is highly important in ensuring optimal provision of basic needs and ensuring good welfare. The level of care and welfare of oxen in Kenya is poorly documented, yet these are key in implementing sustainable working animal improvement programs. It is against this backdrop that the oxen welfare improvement program was initiated by the University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenya, in partnership with The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA), UK. This project aims to provide and support delivery of quality animal healthcare to the oxen, educate the community on good animal welfare practices, train current and future Veterinary oxen welfare support workforce on innovative clinical approaches and championing of welfare in Embu County, Kenya.