We're Back! Update from the Mara
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Kashu Parit looks across the Mara Triangle from the Oloololo Escarpment. Photo Marcus Westberg supporting AKTF in the The Greatest Masaai Mara Photographer of the Year competition.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
If you have been following us on Instagram and Facebook, you will know that after several months in government mandated lockdown the AKTF patrol team has been able to safely return to their patrol duties implementing COVID protocols. They are thrilled to be back out protecting the wildlife and building bomas. While the rangers were under lockdown, the poachers continued to be very active. The patrol removed over fifty snares, captured four poachers and freed several wildebeest in the first few days of the patrol. Some animals were not so fortunate, alas.
A great many thanks to all of those who have so very generously supported AKTF over these difficult times allowing me to keep everyone employed so that we can continue our important work.
Above: AKTF Team and MC Rangers
Boma Repairs
We are pleased to report that one of our bomas was able to foil a lion attack preventing any of the livestock from being eaten! But our latest hurdle comes by way of an unexpected player: the elephant. They have been targeting the bomas and trampling them with what we can only guess is retaliatory intent. To be clear, the elephants are not upset with our bomas in particular, but instead with the increase in fencing in the dispersal area as people continue to encroach on their habitat and block their migratory routes. It would seem simply the mere sight of any type of fence has become a trigger for them, even though our little livestock-protecting "circles" in no way impede their movements.
Luckily, no livestock has been harmed and we are now able to repair them quickly. It is just another reminder to remain humble in the Mara. Nature is always boss!
Zebra Crossing
We had the most wonderful incident with an orphaned zebra the other day. The AKTF and MC Rangers received a call about an abandoned zebra. While the pregnant mother was separated from the herd, she gave birth and then was spooked by people near by and bolted. The joint team searched for the mother and within a few hours were able to find her! A car ride later, baby and mother were re-united. Thank God for happy endings and also a huge thank you to the community, rangers and AKTF patrol team leader Elias Kamande.
This little guy is on his way back to mamma!
Soap Making Women’s Group
How fortuitous that we had already been underway with our soap making initiative before the pandemic and what better time to focus on hygiene! This initiatives was designed as a way for the women to both earn their own money and promote hygiene.
Mask Production
We partnered with Jack Olakira to produce over 200 washable masks for the local Masaai community.
Sanitary Pads
Our Edsidai Group’s sewing facility has now been completed and we will shortly restart our work sewing sanitary pads. Production came to a standstill because the schools are closed until early next year in addition to COVID restrictions which did not allow the women to gather together. Once the children are back in school, we will continue with our health and hygiene education along with providing the school girls with sanitary pads.
Some Masaai sporting their new masks.
The Circle of Things
One of, if not the central tenet of AKTF is the wildlife's inter-reliance between community, economics, governments, education and habitat. These elements are all tied in an inextricable knot.
The pandemic has massively disrupted tourism. Without tourism, the local economy craters. Without any kind of safety net and in a world (like a good many around the world) where people were already living hand-to-mouth, this is a dire situation.
While the vast majority of poaching is done for commercial profit, the pandemic has driven and will continue to drive increasing numbers of desperate and hungry people to kill to feed their families. We cannot blame them for these actions, but nor can we turn a blind eye.
With the pandemic has come a brutal reminder of the importance of tourism for the local communities. Although our community initiatives have provided the women with a means to earn an income independent of tourism, the overall effect is devastating. If during these difficult times people are allowed to kill animals indiscriminately for food, the wildlife would quickly be decimated and tourism in the future could be severely impacted forever.
But, good news! Always there is hope. Kenya has been awarded the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travel Stamp. This is in recognition of the destination’s adoption of the global health and hygiene standardized protocols dubbed ‘Safe Travels’.
This is great progress and an important step towards normalcy. The faster visitors return, the better the Mara will survive!
I am actually getting very excited at the possibility of going home to Kenya in October to start paving the way for anyone who may have itchy feet—as I have had over these months of COVID travel restrictions. I hope we will be able to welcome you to many locations around the world as soon as you are comfortable to do so.
Until then, enjoy the changing of the seasons and continue to stay well and safe.
With love,
Anne
Anne Kent Taylor
Anne K. Taylor Fund
