Mara Elephant Project celebrated a decade of operation on September 12 and asked supporters to join us to strengthen, build and grow into the next decade. We highlighted the 10 days of MEP and took a walk down memory lane to celebrate this Kumi Anniversary. Thank you to everyone who posted well wishes joined in our celebration.
This celebration alongside World Elephant Day and World Ranger Day really highlighted your continued support of our efforts with over $360,500 raised via the Sidekick Foundation, Inc. and MEP Kenya Trust. Thank you to every single individual, foundation and organization that supported MEP in the third quarter. In addition, we received more essentials from our Amazon Wish List in support of MEP’s rangers and research department. Thank you to all of the donors who sent these items. Additionally, in the third quarter, the Sidekick Foundation supported photographer Amish Chhagan of Chags Photography to come to MEP for a few days and update some visual assets for our organization to use for marketing and fundraising. Thank you, Amish, for donating your time to MEP, enjoy some of his work below.
We had 74 entries in The Greatest Maasai Mara photo competition during the third quarter. Thank you to all of the amazing photographers for supporting MEP with your entry fees. Featured below are some of the shots from the third quarter.
In terms of communications, the 2020 Annual Report was released on July 9 highlighting MEP’s work last year. We celebrated World Ranger Day and appreciated everyone’s support for our rangers. Dr. Jake Wall was highlighted in a Mongabay article about using technology to revolutionize how rangers works, more specifically our EarthRanger system. We released our second quarter newsletter, and celebrated World Tourism Day alongside our many tourism partners that support us. Wildlife Warriors posted their season two trailer and MEP is excited to be included in one of this season’s episodes. We also celebrated World Elephant Day on August 12 and our Kumi Anniversary on September 12.
In August, we updated you on Seema. In November 2017, Seema was thrown by an elephant while out tending to her family’s cattle; she was only 6 years old at the time. MEP rangers were first on the scene to administer first aid and move the herd of elephants away from the community. The MEP leased helicopter was called in to airlift Seema to Tenwek Hospital where she made a full recovery. MEP also started paying for her school fees at boarding school as well as her books and uniform to ensure Seema is fully stocked for school every year. Wilson goes back regularly to see Seema at the start of every school year to give her updates on MEP rangers that helped save her. Seema is excited to be back at school in 2021 after such a tough year last year.
Finally, MEP was thrilled by the opportunity to present to the 10 pioneering guests on ROAR AFRICA’s Greatest Safari on Earth at Angama Mara. On August 24, MEP’s Director of Research and Conservation Dr. Jake Wall presented to the distinguished group about MEP’s research and operations all focused on protecting elephants and their habitats in the GME. While there to see the great migration, the group was challenged to learn more about why protecting all wildlife and their wild spaces in the ecosystem is vital to ensuring it’s longevity. We’d like to thank ROAR AFRICA for inviting us to be a part of this exciting new venture.
