Mara Elephant Project rangers utilized their drones to mitigate human-elephant conflict and monitor elephants and their habitats in November.
The “Golf” ranger team responded to multiple incidents involving collared elephant Fitz and his herd crop raiding in farms bordering the Nyakweri Forest.
The “Foxtrot” ranger team responded to conflict incidents involving elephants in fenced in community farms while the teams in the Loita Forest and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) Mau De-Snaring Units in the Mau Forest deployed their drone to monitor habitat destruction activities.
The Training of Trainers (ToT) third cohort of 20 rangers successfully completed their training at MEP HQ in November. The Basecamp Explorer Foundation – Kenya supported initiative enhances the skillsets of wildlife rangers throughout the Mara and so far, 75 rangers have been trained. Also, in November, MEP rangers undertook a snake bites and handling training. Overseen by East African Reptiles-Taylor Ashe Antivenom Foundation, the training covered crucial snake related first aid practices and gave snake identification and removal tips. With 33 venomous snake species among Kenya’s 140 types, the training rangers received is vital for staying safe in the field.
MEP rangers also participated in a two-day mental health awareness training, covering key topics such as mental health vs. mental illness, stress management, self-care strategies, and how to seek or provide support. The training aimed to reduce stigma, encourage open discussions, and promote well-being among staff.
On November 11, while on a routine patrol, the MEP mobile ranger team spotted a bull elephant with an arrow wound in need of treatment. They joined Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Vet Dr. Njoroge with the SWT Mobile Vet Unit and raced against the fading daylight to treat him. It was a team effort, but his treatment was successful, and he was on his way to recover during a hopefully quiet evening.
In late November, the “Foxtrot” ranger team responded to a critical report from Ol Chorro Conservancy about a young female elephant injured by a spear. For two days, our team closely monitored her condition before calling in KWS Vet Dr. Njoroge from the SWT Mobile Vet Unit for treatment. Thanks to the combined efforts of our rangers, the MEP helicopter, and our partners, the elephant received care for her leg wound and is now on the path to recovery.
On November 14, MEP alongside KWS Vet Dr. Njoroge deployed a satellite collar on Edwin to allow MEP and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) to track him 24/7 to increase his protection and gain a better understanding of his crop raiding behavior. Edwin was the first elephant to be recorded in our database of known individuals called ElephantBook. He was first sighted in February 2021 and is known for his massive tusks which has made him popular amongst locals and visitors alike.
The MEP Coexistence team partnered with Women in the Wild and MEP rangers to officially launch the new MEP tree nursery in November. The team prepared seedling bags before visiting a nearby forest to collect seedlings from six different tree species. Once the seedlings have matured, they will be distributed to communities to provide solutions to restore important habitat in a sustainable way. Additionally, two members of the MEP herd were delighted to join Children in the Wilderness (CITW) for a kid’s camp at Governors’ Camp in early November. Thirty students from Mara Rianda Primary School participated in two days of activities all centered around conservation.
On November 23, the 2024 UltraMARAthon took place with 325 runners joining the race for conservation and communities. MEP rangers claimed the relay first prize and our female team made their debut with a respectable time of 5 hours. Beyond competing, MEP helped with safety from the air and on the ground. An elephant sized thank you to all the participants, sponsors and volunteers that made this another successful race year. In its 5th year now, the UltraMARAthon, supports MEP’s efforts in securing a future for elephants.
Finally, a rare moment was captured in November. The MEP ‘Golf’ ranger team captured a herd of elephants catching some ‘zzzzz’ with their drone inside Nyakweri Forest.
