Masai Mara Conservation Project Updates and Achievements from Q3 2018 - African Impact

Big Cat Monitoring

Game counts

Conservancy work

Conservation Education

KGS Guide school

Data Entry

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Volunteers have been supporting Mara Predator Conservation Program with their second intensive monitoring activity. This will enable them to estimate spatial trends in population density of cats and find the relative abundance of important variables like prey, livestock and tourism in the conservancy

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With the pilot study of camera traps deployed in the conservancy in support of Predator Project, the volunteers managed to capture 5 lions, 1 cheetah, as well as some badgers and smaller cat species

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Volunteer continuously monitored 14 cheetahs, 4 leopard and 40 lions cubs included in various parts of the conservancy

□ Lion □ Cheetah□ Leopard sightings July to September in Naboisho Conservancy

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With the new law on banned plastic bags in Kenya, it was evident that the law is indeed having good impact on the environment. During our litter picking campaign the volunteers and rangers were able to collect only 6 bags of litter, compared to last year where more litter was collected at the boundary of the conservancy

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Volunteers conducted grass monitoring surveys to measure the density of grass in different transects. This is very helpful in looking at grass densities in different parts of the conservancy

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Volunteers took part in uprooting the invasive plants after experiencing short rainfall. The plant species are harmful to the animals and also inhibits the growth of other plants

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Wildlife counts were done in 8 selected habitants (4 woodland and 4 grassland). This is done to provide wildlife data that can be used to observe general wildlife distribution and trends over time

"Africa, and especially Kenya, holds a special place in

The following were achieved at Koiyaki Guiding School, a local community initiative to train field guides:

my heart. Choosing to go and take part in a volunteer program was something I have always wanted to do.

Now let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

Being

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Helped develop presentation skills among students and improve their confidence levels

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Exposed the students to many different countries around the world through presentations that different volunteers give about their countries. These include different aspects such as culture and lifestyles, animals, and food. This put the students at a better position to understand other countries of the world

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Introduced students to foreign languages (basic phrases) that they could use in their line of duty as guides (French, German, Dutch, Spanish)

somewhere where you feel at peace, free and magical and know that you are also giving something back is truly amazing.

The Big Cat conservation project in

Naboisho really lets you experience the purest form of nature - being so close to wildlife is wonderful.

Listening to the sounds of lions, hippos and even the hyenas as you drift off to sleep is incredible. You find yourself with likeminded people and working together is so rewarding. The Africa Impact team are just the kindest and friendliest team, from Reuben who fed me so well, Soila who just made the place so comfortable and clean to live in and Saruni who is one of the most knowledgeable and best guides I know. This is one experience that I will treasure forever and hopefully I will be back with Africa Impact in the not too distant future."

Lisa Zaman

THE TEAM IN MAASAI MARA