"I would like to express my gratitude to all Italian friends and readers - too many to be able to do it individually - for the wave of solidarity, affection and friendship that has poured on me and my flamenco Sveva on Sunday 23 April 2017 , The day I was seriously injured in an ambush organized by an armed militia in the Conservancy of Ol Ari Nyiro, Kenya, where I have been living for over 40 years and to whom I have devoted my life. "
Thus, the Treviso activist Kuki Gallmann, as reported by AGI, thanked him with a letter, the first since he was hit by the attack.
"The injuries sustained in the shootout will heal, I hope, over time: memories, never - the environmentalist writes -. I would, however, reassure you that my spirit and determination to continue the struggle in which I believe remain intact and even reinvigorated by This further test. "The attack - continues the letter - is the last, violent episode of a long series of persecution, threats and arson that have happened over the years since I made the decision to devote The oasis of Ol Ari Nyiro exclusively for environmental conservation, engaging me actively and in the forefront of the fight against poaching, the illegal trade of protected species and ivory, against the powerful cartels that finance and organize these devastating illegal activities.
"I'm determined to resume my efforts quickly to continue my work through the Gallmann Memorial Foundation.
Work that is not limited to the active protection of the environment, research, reforestation, ethnobotanics and the protection of biodiversity, but has always extended to the local communities that surround the oasis of Ol Ari Nyiro, supporting them with projects Education and public health, involving them in anti-poaching activities and helping them in emergencies, as we have been able to do during the last, severe drought that hit Kenya. Our annual dialogue and support for peace and peaceful coexistence between local tribes, "Laikipia Highland Games / Sports for Peace," dedicated to my son Emanuele, will continue. And when it's possible, we'll restart."