Varreaux’s Eagle Owl Released

Posted on August 29, 2011 by beaty limo

It was a beatiful and memmorable day to witness the release of a female Varreaux’s eagle ow

(Bubo lacteus) in Soysambu Conservancy yesterday.The eagle had been staying in the Little Owl Sancrtuary in Naivasha where the bird experts ,Sarah Higgins and Simon took great care of her following the injuries she got from a fight with another eagle.The bird had been surgically stitched and toes on one of the legs could also not open as usual.The sanctuary was able to help this beautiful creature for some time and it was beautiful to watch it fly to its natural habitat where it will unite with other Varreaux’s in Soysambu.The exercise was witnessed by Lady Ann Delamere,Madam Kat Combes(CEO Soysambu Conservancy),Simon among others.

By Duncan.

Sarah Higgins with the Varreaux's eagle ready for release.The eagle perching on accacia after the release.

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS VISITS SOYSAMBU

Posted on August 4, 2011 by beaty limo

The Soysambu conservancy is a great place to be for conservation related activities especially for group of students. Students from all over the world can be hosted for field activities of their studies choice. The students get to interact physically and practically involve with what they have learnt theoretically ranging from geology, Biology, Hydrology, Pedology, History and more. The fact that this place is situated right in Great Rift Valley, the interconnection of the Lake Elementaita Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria and the numerous biodiversity found here makes it ideal place for universities and colleges to learn more on their fields of specialization. The Lake Elmenteita being a Ramsar Site (Wetland of International importance), Important Bird Area and now a World Heritage Site is sharing a buffer zone with the Soysambu Conservancy making it more protected and healthier for wildlife. For these reasons, we have been hosting groups and teams of students from several universities. The George Mason University has been organizing trips for its students to stay at the Soysambu Field Study Centre for a good time and the good rapport between the two organizations has made it a sustainable project. There is currently a team of twelve university students from George Mason staying with us for field studies with instructors lead by Ryan Valdez and Carlos.We have a great time with them here as we look forward for future collaboration.

By Duncan Oduor,

Soysambu Field Study Centre.

The GMU Dinner time.

Livestock management talk by Mr.Benson,the Livestock manager Delamere Estates.

Talk on stonewall building.

Students getting ready to set camera traps..

Camera traps setting with instructor Ryan inspecting.

GMU Students distributing gifts of stationery to children in Soysambu.

Baboon caugtht by a camera set by sudents..

more baboons..

ENHANCING SUSTAINABLE UTILIZATION

Posted on August 1, 2011 by beaty limo

The attainment of such a practice entails lots of sacrifice, but the end product yields great fruits, this gives the Conservancy the morale to invest in such activities to ensure that the protected area habitats remains intact.
The objective of buying the jikos idea from the Paradigm company was to cut down on the firewood usage by the surrounding Communities. The idea is disseminated to the community through group education and demonstrations .
The jikos from this group are of two types; Envirofit and jikopoa both uses only two medium sized firewood and cooks a meal for up to six individuals.
Advantages .
ß Portable and durable
ß Uses less firewood
ß Occupies less space in the house
ß Easy to clean
ß Does not pollute the environment
ß Less dangerous to children.

The two jikos from paradigm company,used for education and demonstration.

Paradigm,branch officer,teaching on how the Jikos function.

Community committee,during the Education session.

Community Committee,during demonstration session.

The Committee, during Question and answer session.

Discussion time.

Shared from; Community Education and awareness desk

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION RESEARCH.

Posted on July 18, 2011 by beaty limo

Kenya’s human population increases fast and is currently estimated to be over 40 million. The increase in population exerts much pressure on natural resources in the whole nation resulting to environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity and climate change. All these impacts negatively on the well being of people because of the destroyed nature. Conservation research is done on biodiversity and is geared towards achieving practical solutions to issues of conservation mainly by conducting specific research. The research should be shared nationally in advising government agencies, institution and policy makers to address and protect Earth’s biodiversity. Researchers and Scientists protect the biodiversity by teaching conservation principles, practices and work to find ways of helping the citizens to be more environmentally responsible. To ensure contuinuity,the next generation of conservation professionals are recruited by the research institutions.The decline of Kenya’s biodiversity calls for sustainable use practices and new approaches to conservation methods. The is a need of new partnerships among stakeholders, biological scientists, government, industries and communities to reinforce and protect the inherent value of the biodiversity by advocating for sustainable use. Complex studies on relationships among ecosystems, biodiversity, environment and human beings are needed. Education and awareness to the general public on Earth’s biodiversity, their conservation and sustainability is vital. Conservation research is supposed to promote science-based environmental awareness, biodiversity research and sustainable use of finite natural resources. Commitment of recruiting, training and educating the next generation of conservation practitioners and fostering of environmental leadership in decision making about conservation for posterity should be a priority.The Kenyan government research institutions should closely work together with the wildlife research centres to improve the research standards of research for the well being of current and future generations.

By Duncan Oduor

SAVE THE PELICANS

Posted on July 12, 2011 by beaty limo

The Pelicans population has been reduced by a man made feature (uncoated electric wire) within Soysambu Conservancy, the deaths occur when these birds are electrocuted by the wire cutting across the migration route of such birds. The Birds migrate as a flock from Lake Nakuru to Lake Elmenteita. Some are injured and remain walking, some just lie on the terrestrial land, this is not usual for these birds to walk on land as they are aquatic birds. The migration of these birds to Lake Elmenteita is very vital as this is the only breeding site for such bird species in East Africa.
Attention:
The Kenya Power and Lighting company should chip in and help us to reduce such deaths by having a coated electric wire within our protected areas especially ,the line running within Soysambu conservancy since, the problem has been on since the installation of such a line.