In September, Mara Elephant Project launched Virtual Ranger, a groundbreaking AI-powered reporting Chat Bot on Telegram, designed to tackle the rising cases of human-elephant conflict in the Mara landscape. MEP is the first to use this cutting-edge tool, and we’re empowering both our rangers and local communities to report incidents with ease.
MEP rangers were busy deploying another technology tool, drones, to respond to conflict. On September 13, the MEP mobile ranger team deployed their drone to rapidly respond and guide a herd of elephants safely through several development obstacles back to the conservancy. The “Golf” ranger team conducted daily patrols, focusing specifically on a particular herd near Partakila. There have also been numerous reports of human-wildlife conflict near Kawai, and the team has been responding to these incidents daily to minimize crop damage and conflict. The “Foxtrot” ranger team in Mara North Conservancy moved elephants inside the fences at Enoonkishu to prevent conflict. The Loita ranger teams have encountered fewer conflicts this month compared to previous months. Their primary focus has shifted to monitoring the Loita Forest for signs of habitat destruction, particularly illegal logging and charcoal production. The use of drones has been instrumental in surveying areas that are difficult to access on foot, providing the team with crucial insights into the state of the forest and allowing for early detection of potential threats. MEP rangers responded to mitigate 38 total conflict incidents during September.
In addition to conflict mitigation, September was busy with livestock counting, particularly in the Mara North Conservancy. Our teams have been deploying their drone to photograph and count livestock inside the bomas to provide data to conservancy managers to make informed decisions. By the end of the month, we successfully photographed and annotated 23 new bomas.
Overall, in September, MEP rangers alongside government partners arrested 10 habitat destruction suspects and recovered one power saw. They removed five snares, confiscated 48 posts, destroyed five charcoal sacks, and mitigated 38 conflict incidents. In September, MEP rangers covered a distance of 959.87 km on foot and 12,557.81 km in a vehicle in the GME.
There were also several wildlife rescues in September involving not just elephants. MEP rangers rescued an elephant calf that had been separated from its herd and injured by an arrow. With the assistance of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT), the calf was successfully treated and reunited with its family. On September 2, MEP rangers assisted our partners in the air and on the ground with three wildlife treatments in one day. Alongside KWS Vet Dr. Njoroge from the SWT Mobile Vet Unit and Naboisho Conservancy rangers, two bull elephants were treated for suspected spear wounds, and a giraffe was freed from what appeared to be a car belt/tire stuck on its neck. Finally, MEP’s community ranger on the ground in Marmanet received a rare call on September 14 – an 11-foot (3.4 meter) southern African rock python was found navigating through the crops of a local farm. Alongside KWS, he immediately responded, and the team gently collected the adult python, which can weigh between 50-60 lbs. (23-28 kg), and relocated it to the Lake Bogoria National Park.
AirKenya, a leading safari airline, has become the official airline of the Mara Elephant Project. This partnership provides MEP with free and reduced flights, which are crucial for conducting field research, monitoring wildlife populations, and responding to emergencies. AirKenya’s commitment to corporate social responsibility aligns perfectly with MEP’s mission to protect the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
MEP’s male and female ranger teams participated in the 5th Wildlife Ranger Challenge, a grueling 21km race organized by Tusk and the Game Rangers Association of Africa. The teams demonstrated exceptional determination, resilience, and teamwork, finishing the race with impressive times.
MEP ended the 2024 educational activities supported by Kampur Travel Diaries with a big event in September, the inaugural Conservation Career Day. Promoted to students preparing to complete their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education and transition into university life, the event was designed to encourage a career path into conservation. It was a team effort as MEP rangers, researchers and support staff all convened at Emarti Secondary School in the Transmara to engage the over 80 eager students and share their experiences and expertise in their various fields. MEP joined forces with partners Women in the Wild and Critical Conversations, an organization that harnesses the power of storytelling through drama to engage youth and communities in the Maasai Mara on the significance of nature conservation. Their creative approach when partnered with our on the ground expertise captured the student’s attention, engaged their interest and hopefully planted the seed for future conservationists.
In September, MEP launched an education experience in partnership with Elephanatics where schools around the world are given an opportunity to bring a MEP researcher or ranger into their classroom. It is a free one-hour zoom session with a Kenya conservationist.
Also, in September MEP celebrated our 13th Anniversary and launched the new MEP promo film.
On September 17, MEP held a conservation talk at the Muthaiga Country Club attended by over 100 club members, MEP staff and guests. MEP CEO, Marc Goss gave a presentation that was centered mainly on drones and how MEP is leveraging this cutting-edge technology in human-elephant conflict mitigation. MEP also supported Trustee Kendall Evans and his team as they participated in the Elephant Charge, an annual 4×4 race held in the Zambian wilderness that raises money for 19 conservation non-profits focused on ‘conservation through education’.
