In the fourth quarter, we wrapped up another successful Training of Trainers (ToT) session at the Mara Elephant Project Ranger Education Campus. Thanks to support from the Basecamp Explorer Foundation – Kenya, 20 rangers from 15 conservancies are heading back to their teams with new and refreshed skills. These trainings not only enhance individual capabilities but also strengthen the collective impact of rangers across the Mara. Part of this training is to build camaraderie across all conservancies. Our hope is that we’ll work together to protect these landscapes.
The training took an unexpected turn when a motorcycle accident occurred nearby and this provided a real-life test of our  team’s first aid skills. Under the leadership of MEP’s First Aid trainer Caren Yegon, our team quickly responded, reinforcing how essential these life-saving skills are in the field.
I had an opportunity to visit Kidepo Valley National Park (KVNP) alongside Ian Craig from Wildscapes International (WLI) and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Our mission was to ground-truth human-elephant conflict and track elephant movements in the region, ultimately providing mitigation recommendations. We examined key factors like seasonal elephant movements and critical corridors, including significant migration routes into Kenya. Additionally, we held discussions with local communities about establishing conservancies around KVNP to improve connectivity and promote coexistence. Beyond collaring elephants for real-time tracking, we aim to foster a long-term shift in attitudes towards elephants, ensuring that conservation efforts benefit both people and wildlife.
In other collaboration news, in the fourth quarter, MEP partnered to address human-elephant conflict in Tanzania. Conservation Through Tourism embarked on a pilot project to assess the feasibility of equipping rapid response units with drone technology in high human-elephant conflict areas surrounding Mkomazi National Park. They contacted MEP after learning more about our impact using the same tool to respond to conflict in the Mara and wanted to partner on this project in Tanzania. MEP loaned them thermal drones in August and November and their findings indicate promising results for HEC mitigation in this important elephant landscape. Like MEP, Conservation Through Tourism were thrilled with the effectiveness of drones for resolving HEC quickly.  While the drones are back at MEP being deployed by our rangers, the support we lent Conservation Through Tourism allowed them to test a new tool’s effectiveness without making a significant investment and develop a plan for their future elephant and community protection efforts in Tanzania.
https://vimeo.com/1045136577
We partnered with the Kenya Wildlife Service and Wildlife Research and Training Institute to collar seven elephants in the fourth quarter. Kevin, Edwin and Indy in the Mara, Phoodi in Shimba Hills and Richard, Colin and Brian were translocated to Tsavo West and collared to continue their monitoring in their new home.
On November 23, we celebrated another incredible UltraMARAthon, with 325 runners joining the race for conservation and communities. Our very own MEP rangers took home first prize in the relay, while our female ranger team made their marathon debut, finishing with an impressive time of 5 hours. Beyond the competition, MEP played a crucial role in ensuring safety both from the air and on the ground. An elephant-sized thank you to all the participants, sponsors, and volunteers who made this 5th edition of the UltraMARAthon a resounding success.
December was a time of celebration as we officially opened our new office in the Mara. This year tested us in many ways, but we are incredibly proud of our team’s resilience, integrity, and unwavering commitment to protecting elephants and communities. MEP Deputy Chair Kevin Rodrigues, alongside Advisory Committee members Loic Amado, Valery Super, and Teddy Kinyanjui, joined us to announce well-earned promotions and bonuses for our team. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was more than just a milestone—it was a symbol of growth and positive change for our organization.
As we close out 2024, we reflect on the challenges we’ve faced, the progress we’ve made, and the incredible support that has made it all possible. Here’s to another year of protecting elephants, empowering communities, and conserving the Mara for generations to come.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
