In August, the Mara Elephant Project (MEP) team trained 236 individuals including rangers and members of the local community on the Virtual Ranger reporting tool. The feedback received during these trainings was critical to the implementation plan for this new tool. With continued collaboration, Virtual Ranger has the potential to transform conservation response across the Mara and MEP is proud to be leading on the frontlines of solving the human-elephant conflict crisis.
MEP rangers received an urgent report from our partners at Naboisho Conservancy about a bull elephant in visible distress. Responding swiftly, the MEP team called in Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Vet Dr. Njoroge from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) Mara Mobile Vet Unit. Upon assessment, the elephant was found to have sustained an arrow wound. Thanks to quick collaboration between our rangers, KWS, and SWT, the bull was treated promptly. The prognosis is positive, and our rangers will continue to closely monitor his condition to ensure a full recovery.
The MEP /SWT Mau De-Snaring Unit, alongside Kenya Forest Service (KFS), removed 70 snares in the month of August. They are currently conducting joint patrols that are targeting areas that intelligence has identified have high levels of bushmeat poaching. In the first half of 2025, this team alongside government partners, was responsible for the removal of 352 snares, contributing to 64% of the total snares removed during that time.
MEP drone teams responded to over 60 events across the Mara, totaling to 54 hours of drone deployment in August. These included more than 40 human-elephant conflict incidents, five cases of injured wildlife located and treated, and even one rescue of a lost child. Each of these interventions shows how drone technology is central to MEP’s work in protecting elephants and promoting coexistence.
Partnering with Enonkishu Conservancy rangers and members of the community, MEP rangers jumped into action and deployed their drone to rescue a young boy in August. Their drone was equipped with a speaker to call his name. After 30 minutes of searching, they found the 12-year-old boy unharmed. His family rushed to the scene to embrace him as our rangers looked on. He couldn’t resist a photo op with his rescuers either. MEP rangers are from the local communities they serve and respond when called.
MEP celebrated World Elephant Day by spotlighting our most ambitious initiative yet, the preservation of the Loita Forest. Through community-based strategies, ranger support, and the creation of an elephant easement, we invited global supporters to join us and raised $106,000 to secure this critical habitat. Thanks to our generous matching donors, the Matt and Mari Foundation, Mary Anne Rogers, Joseph Davison, Elephanatics and Steven and Adrienne Casey.
MEP hosted officials from the Basecamp Explorer Foundation – Kenya (BCEF-K), to see their support in action at the Training of Trainers (ToT) course at HQ. Led by Director of Programs Stella Njau, the team joined the current cohort of rangers in training exercises and heard from them the impact it’s had on rangers across the Mara. Launched in 2024, these courses have already trained over 100 rangers and licensed 24 drone operators, advancing ranger professionalism across the Mara.
A total of 67 women from three villages were trained in kitchen garden establishment and management. Each participant received vegetable seedlings to support household nutrition and food security. The team also carried out training sessions for the out-grower programs and three groups, covering three modules each. The program focused on strengthening knowledge in sustainable farming and alternative sources of income.
Finally, MEP is proud to announce a new partnership with the Chapel & York Canada Foundation, making it easier than ever for our champions in Canada to give tax-effective donations directly in support of MEP. This collaboration allows us to save on operational costs while ensuring your contributions go further in protecting elephants and their habitats. You can find more information here or donate here.
