Mara Elephant Project

Individual 948, a conflict-prone bull elephant in the Mara Elephant Project’s ElephantBook database, recently received a new solar-powered Savannah Tracking Ltd. collar. On October 26, he was collared in Mara North Conservancy with the support of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Vet Dr. Njoroge. This bull, who sustained a conflict-related wound was treated in July 2023 and has since been monitored as he moves between the bordering community lands and the conservancy. The real-time tracking of his movements enables KWS, the Wildlife Research and Training Institute, and MEP to respond swiftly to human-wildlife conflicts and to gain a better understanding of his navigation patterns across the landscape. This elephant is notable not only for his history but also for his size and age, as he is a bull in his 20s with significant potential to develop into a Mara Tusker (an elephant with tusks exceeding 100 kg each). Collaring large bulls like him is crucial in deterring poaching and gathering valuable long-term movement data on these giants in the Mara.

Mara Elephant Project rangers found themselves tied up in knots over the past two weeks during a refresher Human Rights & Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT). During the three-day training session, MEP rangers were given the tools and techniques to operate in a hostile environment to reduce the risk of a life altering event. If the worst-case scenario were to present itself in the form of an isolating event, rangers should be astutely aware of the options that are available to free themselves. This training refreshed rangers on rapidly assessing escalating incidents, remaining calm and responding to free themselves and others. MEP is always looking for ways to enhance the safety of its ranger force, primarily through the modernization of training and equipment. Personal protection training is a critical component of a ranger's toolkit and may one day save their life.

Guess what inspires the largest land mammal on Earth to move it – move it? The sound of bees. Mara Elephant Project rangers deployed their drone, which sounds like a swarm of bees, to guide this herd of 10 out of a settlement and back to safety. Inspiring them to move it – move it for the safety of them and the people they live alongside.

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The Mara Elephant Project mobile ranger team deployed their drone to monitor collared elephant Polaris to check on the condition of his newly fitted Savannah Tracking Ltd. solar powered collar. The drone allows rangers to have a bird’s eye view on such a large bull.

The Mara Elephant Project, in collaboration with the Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association (MMWCA), is implementing the USAID funded Conservation of the Maasai Mara Landscape (CMML) project. In August, the team trained 22 conservancy managers in using the EarthRanger mobile app for real-time data collection on wildlife sightings and poaching incidents. The app improves monitoring of ranger movements and emergency responses, even in areas without network coverage. Each conservancy received two iPhones and a laptop, along with hands-on training. This initiative enhances data accuracy and management, empowering conservancies with advanced tools to strengthen conservation efforts across the Maasai Mara. “I can confidently say this application is incredibly valuable. It will empower us as conservancy managers to have our ranger teams collect data and respond to incidents in real time.” — Francis Muli, Manager, Isaaten Conservancy

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In October, Mara Elephant Project in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Vet Dr. Njoroge successfully re-collared a male elephant named Phoodi in Shimba Hills near Majimboni. Phoodi lives outside the Mara, where MEP supports government efforts to protect elephants. Continuous movement data from his collar helps scientists from the Wildlife Research and Training Institute, KWS and MEP teams to guide ranger’s movements on the ground, mitigate human-elephant conflict and provide new insights into how elephants navigate shrinking habitats.

Elephants stopped by Mara Elephant Project headquarters recently to enjoy a bite to eat. It’s as if they knew elephant friendly people were nearby.

Drones are now Mara Elephant Project’s eyes in the sky, helping to accurately identify injured elephants and call in our partners for quick intervention. The MEP mobile ranger team deployed their drone to monitor the health of a nearby elephant herd when they spotted one with a suspected spear wound. They immediately mobilized on the ground alongside Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Vet Dr. Njoroge from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Mobile Vet Unit to treat the injured gentle giant. It takes eyes in the sky and hands on the ground to successfully protect the Mara’s elephants.