Author Archives: beaty limo

HABITAT RESTRICTED SPECIES.

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BY:BEATY LIMO and DUNCAN ODUOR

Soysambu Conservancy has a species of animals that are only found in specific areas of the entire habitat of 48,000 acres.The most common known species are the Black and White Colobus monkey(Colobus guereza).The animals of this species are only found at the Riverine Acacia Forest(Acacia xanthopholea) also called Yellow barked Acacia.To keep and improve the numbers of such a species the conservancy has ensured a proper management of it’s habitat hence no human activity is allowed in such an area.Welcome to our conservancy  and have a view of such amazing , beautifully  coloured,Black and white colobus monkey. vital animal species.

FIRE THREATEN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AT SOYSAMBU CONSERVANCY.

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BY:Duncan Oduor and Beatrice Limo.

Fire is a very important tool of managing rangelands in Kenya  and especially when used  properly and at the right time. The fire can also has devastating effects when it’s not controlled or when it is naturally or accidentally caused in the Parks, Conservancies and other rangelands. It is not only unfortunate when the fires are intentionally caused but its impacts can be so great especially to sensitive and  fragile ecosystems and organisms in their natural habitats. Last year most parts of Kenya received adequate rains that led to good harvest of a variety of crops including the staple maize/corns. The rains also helped in the improvement of biomass of both plants and animals.

The Soysambu Conservancy was not left behind in terms of rains ,the rains were so adequate leading to very green   ranges. The warm season has set in for the last few weeks, the vegetation has now wilted, dried and turned brownish. Following the dry weather we are experiencing, the huge challenge and threat remains to be wild fires as the grass is currently tall and strong winds blowing from time to time may make it conducive and a hard task to put off the fires. Unfortunately we have experienced a number of wildfires for the past few weeks mainly along the Nakuru-Nairobi Highway (A104) and including the latest fire that nearly gutted the Sunbird and the coming up Serena Lodge. Due to dedicated effort of teams from the Soysambu Conservancy, the Fire Brigade from Nakuru County Council, The friendly Forces-Police and the Military we have managed to fight all the fires and controlled them to minimal areas as possible. The causes of these fires are unknown and some are believed to have started from the surrounding homes straying into this fragile conservation area. Our way forward is now just to improve the routine patrols, community policing, and awareness creation and prepare for any reported cases and prompt action to avoid huge damage.

Burning vegetation.

Burning vegetation.

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PARTICIPATORY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AT SOYSAMBU CONSERVANCY.

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Kasambara VisitVisit to the Wetland site (River Mbaruk)A recent community committe meeting held at Research Centre,Soysambu ConservancySHARED BY; BEATRICE LIMO AND DUNCAN ODUOR (RESEARCH CENTRE)
The participatory management at Soysambu conservancy entails the involvement of the Twelve Communities that forms a Conservation Group. These are the Communities living adjacent to the Conservancy ,the communities have their committee members headed by the Chairperson,the group name is MOGTEKA an acronym to the nanes of the twelve communities namely:(Mbaruk, Mwariki B & C ,Oldubay,Oljorai,Game Njeru , Ututu, Turkana,Elmentaita ,Kiungururia and Kasambara Association).The Community is involved in decision making on the management of Wildlife.
The Conservancy organizes education and awareness to such Communities to instill in them knowledge on the importance of the Wildlife and Environmental Conservation and Protection.Presently, the Conservancy is working in collaboration with Born Free Foundation to educate the Community on the impacts of Game meat through video shows. The areas covered include: Mbaruk and Soysambu headquaters. The Gilgil Agricultural office is also working with us in creating awareness on Environmental Conservation at Kasambara Village. The schools surrounding us are also not left behind; we involve them in the Environmental Cleanup. The participatory management is of great importance to us since we are not an Island we need support from the surrounding and such help us in Resolving Human Wildlife Conflicts and also creating good Rapo:(Together We can Do More)

SOYSAMBU CONSERVANCY IS PARTY TO THE WORLD WETLAND DAY

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The World Wetlands Day (WWD) 2011

Theme  of  year : ‘Forests, Water and wetlands’

By Duncan Ouko  and Beatrice Limo.

The Ramsar Convention on wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty  that provides the framework for action and national co-operation  for the conservation, protection and sustainable use of  wetlands .This convention was adopted way back on 2nd February 1971 in Iranian city of Ramsar.The treaty came into force in 1975(the oldest multilateral environmental agreement in the world)This treaty is the only of its kind in the world  dealing with a particular  ecosystem .Kenya  became a party to it in 1990,other member nations cover all geographic areas of the globe.

Government agencies, NGOs, and private sectors have been organizing the celebrations since 1997 on 2nd February to mark the adaption of Ramsar convention including undertaking of actions aimed at raising awareness to the public on wetland values and benefits.

Theme of this year was chosen because this year, 2011 is the UN international year of forests focusing on:

  • Role of forest in wetlands functions,
  • Relationship between forest and wetlands in socio economic development and sustenance,
  • Forested wetland s and the special benefits they offer and biological diversity.

Measures taken by the Kenyan government as a signatory is to ensure wise use of our wetlands including addressing their degradation, encroachment and conflict resolution among users one of the measures has led to the designation of five lakes in Kenya’s   central rift valley as wetlands of international importance, lake Nakuru, Naivasha, Baringo, Bogoria and Elmenteita and ensuring wise use. Lake Elmenteita was recently designated as a wild life Sanctuary.

The national celebration venue was Lake Nakuru National Park commemorating 20 years since the designation of Lake Nakuru as First Kenya’s Wetland of International Importance.

Soysambu Conservancy is protecting a large proportion of the Lake Elementaita, which is one of the Ramsar sites in Kenya and is so privileged to be associated with the celebrations this year and the years to come.

aerial view of Lake Elementaita from Soysambu Conservancy

aerial view of Lake Elementaita from Soysambu Conservancy

Flamingos and Pelicans swimming and wading in Lake Elementaita

Flamingos and Pelicans swimming and wading in Lake Elementaita

Flock of breeding Great White Pelicans in Lake Elementaita

Flock of breeding Great White Pelicans in Lake Elementaita

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Born Free Foundation Working Closely With Soysambu Conservancy.

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By Duncan and Beatrice.

When it comes to conservation,all stakeholholders must work together because they all  work for only nothing but a better world and a healthy environment.This is why  the Soysambu Conservancy has been working very closely with the Born Free Foundation in sensitizing the residents within and without the conservancy on conservation.We organised  two successfull sessions in Soysambu at Mbaruk Store and Headquarters commnly referred as ”heady”.The  audio visual equipment was provided by the Born Free Foundation,the staff /resource personnels were drawn from the Kenya Wildlife Service,Soysambu Consrvancy and Born Free Foundation.The audience composed of the schooling  young ,the working /staff  and  the old.Film  on conservation threat mainly on bush meat consumption was shown,the Mizoga(Carcases).This film enlightened the audience about the dangers posed by snares to the animals and also threat of consuming the bush meat.The Born Free Foundtion Staff also participated in ensuring smooth darting   and transport of tranquillized Rothschild giraffe to their pen.We hope to continue  working closely in future.