His Excellency Mr. Joseph Muchemi, the Kenyan High Commissioner gave our ‘African Valley’ his seal of approval today (Friday 3 April) when he immortalised his hand print, as in the style of the famous Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard. The hand impression mimics our new brand identity and logo.

The opening of the African Valley follows several years of planning and has taken a year to construct. Over 35 Ellipsen waterbuck, Grevy’s zebra and ostrich create a spectacular sight as they roam together in their new habitat, which encompasses 20 acres of natural valley field surrounding a small lake for the first time. Our new restaurant, Café Graze, over looks the Valley and gives sweeping views of the animals as they wander free together. Giraffe will join them in the coming weeks.

His Excellency Mr. Joseph Muchemi, the Kenyan High Commissioner said that it gave him great pleasure to open the African Valley and also added: "The Kenyan Government is committed to protecting the wildlife in Kenya, and the Kenyan Wildlife Service, working together with other partners, are actively involved in tackling conservation issues. Marwell Wildlife’s work in Northern Kenya and the conservation efforts for Grevy’s zebra are particularly important. With around 2000 left in the wild Marwell Wildlife’s efforts are very timely and I offer my support to Marwell for their work.”

With less than 2000 Grevy’s zebra living in the wild, we are involved in various conservation projects for this endangered species. We recently helped coordinate a national survey to assess the status of wild Grevy’s in Kenya, the first in eight years. We are also involved in the training of wildlife scouts and conservancy managers, biodiversity monitoring in community conservancies, and also support Kenyan conservation biologists.

James Cretney, Marwell Wildlife Chief Executive said: “I am delighted that His Excellency Mr. Joseph Muchemi, the Kenyan High Commissioner was able to join us to celebrate the opening of the African Valley, and view several species which originate from Kenya living peacefully together in Hampshire.”

Working with partners including the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Northern Rangelands trust and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, we also recently supported the development of a national strategy for the conservation of the Grevy’s zebra and its semi-arid ecosystem. We also coordinate the Grevy’s zebra European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) and also hold the Grevy’s zebra International Studbook, which compiles data on Grevy’s zebras living throughout Europe.

The opening of the African Valley is the first opportunity for us to showcase our new brand. The new name, Marwell Wildlife, embodies our desire to unite both sides of the organisation - an international conservation charity and a regional tourist attraction in Hampshire - under one banner for the first time.

The logo incorporates a hand which symbolizes our commitment to caring and protecting wildlife. With 18 variations representing a broad cross-section of wildlife, the logo incorporates images from the world of nature which conveys the breadth and depth of our conservation work.

Learn more about our new brand here

Images of the opening kindly provided by Kath Weston, Marwell Photographic Group.

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3 April 2009