Cherish the opportunity I have had to earn an advanced Diploma in Wildlife Management at Africa Nazarene University (ANU) – through the Distance Learning module. ANU has provided an excellent platform to study while working since 2016 when I joined the institution.
Supportive lecturers coupled with excellent studying platform as well as fees payment flexibility has helped me to maneuver both education and work; sharpening my skills for effectiveness in the field of Conservation and allowing me to attain invaluable successes in my current conservation endeavors in Kenya’s Southern Conservation area of Tsavo-Mkomazi.
There is approximately 32,000 Maasai giraffe remaining in the wild – but, there were twice as many Maasai giraffes less than 30 years ago. Increased poaching incidents as well as growing habitat loss and fragmentation compound this problem. We work to conserve viable and ecologically functional populations of Maasai giraffe in the key site of the Tsavo-Mkomazi transboundary region of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania.
The need to protect wildlife during the COVID-19 pandemic remains paramount, yet resources have been re-allocated to health at the expense of other sectors including conservation. Faced with challenges related to the pandemic in their search for food, local communities have recorded increased incidents of poaching of the game in the adjacent conservation areas and ecosystems, aggravating the problem. Our work ensures protective measures are taken as well as communities enlightened on the effects of consuming such game meat while promoting survival of the giraffes within and outside the protected areas through support to the relevant authorities in the development of conservation and sustainability policies and implementation of the same.
One of the critical elements of our work is to create a greater understanding of the species’ ecological needs and how to protect them against the issues threatening their survival. In this regard, we; –
-
Compile predictive threat and distribution map
-
Train rangers in crime scene management and anti-poaching methods
-
Support covert bushmeat operations by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS),
-
Train local communities on data collection and information sharing with authorities to ensure a quick response,
-
Support development of land use plans within the giraffe range to secure space, the species and livelihoods to which it contributes through tourism.