The fourth quarter put an exclamation point on all of Mara Elephant Project’s ranger activities in 2024. In October, MEP rangers participated in a three-day Human Rights & Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT). Designed to prepare rangers for life-threatening situations, the training equipped them with critical survival techniques to safely navigate escalating incidents. Through hands-on exercises, rangers learned to stay calm under pressure and respond effectively in high-risk scenarios.
Then, in November, MEP rangers attended the inaugural two-day mental health awareness training, addressing key topics such as stress management, resilience, and trauma support. The feedback from this training was overwhelming with calls to integrate mental health programs into MEP’s annual training calendar. By prioritizing mental wellness, MEP ensures a resilient, emotionally aware team ready to face conservation’s unique challenges. Finally, in December, MEP rangers, researchers, and staff underwent fire safety training led by Kaileys Safety Health Environment Consortium.
MEP hosted recently trained Lewa Wildlife Conservancy drone pilots for a training in the fourth quarter and demonstrated the impact drones have had on ranger’s response to human-elephant conflict. In the fourth quarter, rangers deployed their drones to mitigate HEC, monitor elephants and conduct reconnaissance to assist ground operations.
MEP’s “Golf” and “Foxtrot” ranger teams were on the frontline of human-elephant conflict resolution, responding to multiple incidents involving collared elephants Fitz and Edwin. These rapid interventions helped prevent crop damage and keep both communities and elephants safe.
A rare and heartwarming moment was captured in November when the “Golf” team spotted a herd of elephants peacefully sleeping in Nyakweri Forest.
The same team in December deployed their drone to monitor Fitz and his herd and spotted a newborn elephant.
Here is the overall impact of MEP rangers in the fourth quarter.
There were six total elephant treatments in the fourth quarter and MEP rangers assisted the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Vet from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) Mobile Vet Unit with two. On November 11, an arrow-wounded bull elephant was successfully treated then later that month, a young female elephant in Ol Chorro Conservancy, injured by a spear, was closely monitored by MEP rangers after her successful treatment operation.
Finally, a year end celebration was held in December where ranger promotions were announced. As we head into 2025, MEP rangers remain committed to the elephants and communities that share the Mara.
