Mara Elephant Project’s helicopter allows us to act as a first responder in critical, life-threatening situations across the ecosystem. In March, severe flooding of the Mara and Talek rivers had devastating consequences across the ecosystem. Several safari camps were heavily impacted by rising waters. While all guests and staff had thankfully evacuated before the worst of the flooding, some individuals returned to retrieve belongings once the water had receded, believing it was safe. Within a short time, the river rapidly rose again, leaving them stranded with no way out. Our search and rescue team in the helicopter was immediately deployed, helping guide and support a safe evacuation from above.
This is not the first time the Mara has faced such extreme conditions. In 2024, significant flooding caused widespread damage across the same landscape, impacting camps, infrastructure, wildlife, and local communities. These recurring events are a growing concern. Land use changes may be intensifying these extremes, affecting both how rain falls and how the land absorbs it. As these pressures continue, events like this may become more frequent and more severe. What remains constant is that when emergencies arise, whether for wildlife or people, MEP stands ready to respond.
In early March, Nairobi hosted the Global Conservation Tech and Drone Forum, showcasing how technology is transforming conservation. The forum brought together conservation practitioners, technologists, researchers and innovators from across Africa and around the world to explore how emerging technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence, and data can strengthen conservation efforts and support communities protecting nature. MEP proudly sponsored the event and supported 8 student tickets to attend the forum, helping create opportunities for the next generation of conservationists interested in applying technology to real-world conservation challenges. We would also like to congratulate Cynthia Nekesa, the recipient of the Youth Conservation Award 2026 for her outstanding contribution to protecting wildlife and promoting conservation among young people.
During March patrol operations, MEP’s ‘Alpha’ ranger team alongside the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) carried out joint patrols in the Mau Forest, removing 92 wire snares during the month. This area is known for high levels of snaring, driven largely by the demand for bushmeat, with antelope species being the primary targets. Moving on foot through challenging terrain, the team works to detect and remove these hidden threats before they can cause harm. As a high-risk zone, the Mau Forest remains a priority for regular patrols. Through this continued presence, the team is not only protecting wildlife but also helping to safeguard the broader ecosystem and disrupt ongoing illegal activity.
During the month of March, MEP rangers deployed drones to respond to a total of nine human-elephant conflict incidents. Beyond helping to mitigate conflict on the ground, these aerial tools also played a key role in monitoring elusive family groups such as Ivy’s herd. After collared elephant Ivy was confirmed with a new calf in January, our team conducted a routine monitoring check this month to assess their movements and wellbeing. As a known crop raider, it is especially important to ensure she and her calf remain safe, healthy, and away from nearby settlements. Ivy’s herd often moves through dense, thick bush, making them extremely difficult to track on foot or by vehicle. Drones provide a critical solution, allowing rangers to locate and observe herds that would otherwise be nearly impossible to monitor, ensuring both elephant safety and improved human wildlife coexistence.
The coexistence team continued with their educational activities in March and visited three primary schools. They got together with the ‘Alpha’ ranger team and visited Chepsir Comprehensive School in the Mau Forest region for a day that brought conservation to life, both in the classroom and on the ground. The team engaged 74 learners from the school’s Wildlife Club through interactive sessions on human-wildlife conflict (HWC) under the theme “Wildlife, Our Future.” Students explored the realities of sharing landscapes with wildlife, gaining a clearer understanding of what drives conflict and the practical steps communities can take to safely coexist. Beyond learning, the day also focused on action. Together with the students, the MEP teams planted 50 indigenous tree seedlings within the school compound. In regions like the Mau, where forests play a vital role in water catchment and wildlife habitat, restoring indigenous vegetation is key to maintaining healthy ecosystems and reducing pressures that can lead to human-wildlife conflict. These engagements are more than one-day activities—they are long-term investments in coexistence. By connecting education, community involvement, and environmental restoration, MEP is helping build resilient landscapes where both people and wildlife can thrive.
