In February, the 4th cohort of Mara rangers participated in the Training of Trainers (ToT) course at Mara Elephant Project HQ. Twenty-eight (28) rangers representing 22 conservancies across the Mara undertook both theory and practical lessons all supported by the Basecamp Explorer Foundation–Kenya. These rangers now join their fellow 90 Mara rangers already trained to lead on the frontlines of conservation, elevating the overall level of skills for Mara rangers.
During a coordinated joint operation with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), MEP rangers successfully ambushed and seized 1,500 illegally logged red cedar posts concealed in a thicket. They were tipped off by an informant which enabled them to make the bust. Overall this month, MEP rangers, alongside government partners, arrested 16 habitat destruction suspects and removed 114 snares. They also confiscated 120 pieces of timber, 4,860 posts, and nine trees, destroyed 20 charcoal kilns and 27 charcoal sacks and mitigated 18 human-elephant conflict incidents.
Drones played a big part in responding to HEC in February including moving collared elephant Fitz from fences back into the Nyakweri Forest. Collared elephants Lempiris and Maxine were also monitored using a drone.
While on routine patrol in Ol Kinyei Conservancy, MEP rangers observed an injured female elephant with a young calf by her side. They called in KWS Vet Dr. Michael Njoroge from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) Mobile Vet Unit and assisted with the treatment. Ground crews kept the calf away while the team worked on treating her spear wound. Once treated, the team watched as she was reunited with her calf. Also, in February, MEP rangers assisted the same team and responded to two critical cases of elephant injuries caused by arrows. A bull elephant and a sub-adult were successfully treated, with a promising prognosis for both. MEP rangers will continue to monitor them closely to ensure a full recovery.
A fire broke out at a local shopping center near MEP HQ in February. The fully trained MEP rangers rapidly responded to administer first aid and fight the fire. After some time, the fire was successfully extinguished, but more than 30 businesses were destroyed affecting an estimated 200 people’s livelihoods. Our rangers jumped in to help the business owners salvage their property and start the slow clean up and re-building process. While wildlife might be in our mission, it’s not our entire focus.
February also saw the Elephant Conservation Organization (ECO) officially launch a vet unit in partnership with the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) and Six Rivers Africa in Tanzania near Mkomazi National Park. Replicating the MEP Method into ecologically significant landscapes which contribute to the protection of elephants and their habitats is a key objective for the organization, and MEP is doing this in Tanzania by supporting ECO’s efforts to treat injured wildlife.
MEP hosted its first virtual classroom experience, connecting with 32 students from Texas, USA, to engage them in MEP’s elephant conservation efforts. The team interacted with the children and answered their questions during the session. It was a great way to connect young minds with conservationists to encourage stewardship of our planet. Watch how the first session unfolded here and sign up for your very own session today.
The MEP helicopter remains a valuable tool during collaring operations. In February, a female elephant in a herd of 120 was identified in the Mosiro area as an ideal collaring candidate based on the levels of human-elephant conflict in the area. In response, on February 14, KWS, Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) and MEP deployed the helicopter alongside KWS Vet Dr. Njoroge and successfully collared the new female, aptly named Roho, which is Swahili for ‘heart’. Her real-time movement data will enable MEP rangers and partners to develop more impactful HEC mitigation efforts by gaining a better understanding of how the mega-herd is using this complex space.
Finally, we had a visit from world-renowned wildlife photographer and MEP Ambassador Jeffrey Wu in February to capture our drone pilots in action. Through photography, Jeffrey demonstrates his passion for wildlife conservation.
