The Mara Elephant Project research department participated in fascinating monitoring exercises, expanded the educational activities for the year and launched vital activities for coexistence. In Late July, two members form the MEP long-term monitoring (LTM) team traveled to Kalepo Conservancy in Northern Kenya to partner with their management to launch an LTM team. While there, they presented on MEP’s monitoring work, tools and training and participated in their recruitment process. There are plans to expand on this partnership in 2026.
Monitoring a newly identified tuskless bull was another highlight for the LTM team in the third quarter. One of the more fascinating individual elephants that the MEP research team has identified is Individual 1286. A bull elephant with no tusks. Beyond this anomaly or maybe because of it, this individual is a known crop raider, using Ol Kinyei Conservancy for protection during the day while he raids bordering farms at night. Given this, MEP, alongside the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) recently deployed a satellite collar to track his movements 24/7. The MEP research and ranger teams were on the ground to support the operation while the helicopter was in the air with KWS Vet Dr. Njoroge. While asleep for the collaring operation, Individual 1286 was also treated for an arrow wound. Tracking his movements is contributing to ongoing studies on tusklessness and its genetic and ecological implications while also informing conflict mitigation response.
Another elephant treatment the team participated in occurred when our partners at The Maa Trust reported an injured female elephant in Olare Motorogi Conservancy, acting visibly distressed. Identified by the MEP research team as Individual 830, they raced to the scene to meet KWS Vet Dr. Njoroge from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) Mobile Vet Unit for the treatment operation. The SWT helicopter helped in the air while MEP teams were on the ground as she was treated for a spear wound.
The MEP research team also supported an operation that reunited a baby elephant with its mother. MEP received a call from Richard’s Camp about a calf wandering on its own in Mara North Conservancy (MNC). Because elephant calves stay close to their mothers, sometimes for up to a decade, the team knew something had separated them. So, MEP teamed up with MNC rangers to reunite the 2-year-old female with her mother. After arriving on the scene to closely monitor the baby, MEP researchers deployed their drone to gain an aerial view when looking for the mother and her herd. Luckily, they discovered them close by. The team split into two groups to guide the herd and the calf toward each other, leading to a successful reunion of the mother and calf. The team looked on as the happy reunion took place feeling relieved their efforts were rewarded.
In terms of coexistence team activities, in August, 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.
Additionally, the coexistence team’s work was featured at two conferences in the third quarter, the Kenya Conservancies Investment Forum, hosted by the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association (KWCA) and the second Wildlife Scientific Conference organized by WRTI. As an exhibitor, MEP highlighted our coexistence, out growers’ program, alternative livelihoods, and other innovative solutions designed to reduce human-elephant conflict in the Mara.
The MEP conservation education team conducted visits to Oloonkolin, Lemek and Ngosuani schools, engaging students through a book drive that featured the story “Ole Peenko Survive the Drought.” The students explored subjects such as climate change and water conservation its causes, and how local communities can build resilience to its effects. Additionally, the students were sensitized on the importance of the Book Drive, emphasizing how access to educational material empowers them with knowledge and power. This initiative plays a vital role in supporting conservation efforts and we thank Kampur Travel Diaries for their continued support.
Finally, the success of the conservation career day in 2024, attracted organizations who wanted to collaborate and learn from the experience and the impact of the MEP conservation career day model. In September, MEP was joined by The Maa Trust, Enonkishu Conservancy and Women in the Wild to hold the 2nd edition of the Conservation Career Day at Emarti Secondary School. The main objective was to inspire students to explore conservation and environmental related fields as they prepare to transition to university. The team worked with 240 students from four schools, Emarti, Enkipaai, Namunyak Girls and Olorkoti high schools.
