Princess Takamado spots rare migratory birds during Kakuzi visit

By Newsflash Reporter

A birdwatching and photography excursion to Kakuzi Plc orchards in Murang’a County ended on a celebratory note after Japan’s Princess Takamado spotted and photographed two migratory bird species during her visit to the agribusiness firm.

Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado, who is the Honorary President of BirdLife International, was visiting Kenya to attend the organisation’s 2nd Global Flyways Summit.

During the birdwatching tour, the Princess spotted the Eurasian Bee-eater and the Osprey, two migratory species that breed in Europe before undertaking long journeys to Africa during the September-October season.

The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the importance of protecting natural habitats along international bird migration routes.

Kakuzi highlights conservation efforts

Speaking while welcoming Princess Takamado, Kakuzi Managing Director Chris Flowers said the company’s continued focus on sustainable agriculture and protection of its water catchment areas had helped safeguard ecological zones that support both migratory and native bird species.

Flowers said the growing diversity of birds within Kakuzi’s orchards, forestlands and other habitats was an indicator of the company’s environmental conservation efforts.

“At Kakuzi, we have seen a steady growth of birds making our orchards, forestlands and other habitats their home, which is a good indicator of our commitment to conserve the environment,” Flowers said.

He added that protecting natural habitats was part of Kakuzi’s contribution to global efforts to conserve migratory bird flyways.

Kakuzi’s conservation initiatives are also supported through its membership of Nature Kenya, the East Africa Natural History Society. The partnership focuses on biodiversity protection, habitat conservation and responsible environmental stewardship, while supporting sustainable agriculture and the long-term resilience of Kenya’s natural resources.

Princess Takamado welcomed the conservation efforts and emphasised the need for international cooperation to protect migratory birds.

“Migratory birds do not recognise borders. They connect Asia to Africa, the Arctic to the tropics. The Nairobi Flyways Declaration acknowledges this reality: that it needs international cooperation and coordination to keep migratory birds safe,” she said.

She noted that scientists, conservation organisations and the financial sector were increasingly working together to address threats facing migratory species.

“I am excited and proud to see that the scientific community, conservation organisations, and the financial sector are uniting to make this happen. At last!! We stand at an important turning point. We have been waiting for this moment for a long time,” she added.

During her visit, Princess Takamado was guided by Kakuzi Executive Head of Corporate Affairs Simon Odhiambo, a prominent local birder.

She toured the company’s macadamia and avocado orchards while photographing several bird species, including the Hinde’s babbler, Purple-crested turaco, Senegal lapwing, Pygmy kingfisher and African paradise flycatcher.

Migratory birds face growing threats

The visit came against the backdrop of growing concerns over declining migratory bird populations globally.

According to BirdLife International’s recently launched State of the World’s Birds report, 45 per cent of migratory bird species are in decline, while one in nine bird species is threatened with extinction.

The report also highlights the 2025 extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew, which was last recorded at a Moroccan lagoon in February 1995. It is considered the first global bird extinction in mainland Eurasia and Africa in recent centuries.

The report further states that six other migratory species have been confirmed or suspected to have disappeared over the past 150 years.

Species dependent on marine habitats, forests and coastal wetlands are particularly affected, with seabirds and shorebirds among the groups facing the greatest threats.