Category Archives: Great White Pelican

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS VISITS SOYSAMBU

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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.

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The GMU Dinner time.

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

Talk on stonewall building.

Talk on stonewall building.

Students getting ready to set camera traps..

Students getting ready to set camera traps..

Camera traps setting with instructor Ryan inspecting.

Camera traps setting with instructor Ryan inspecting.

GMU Students distributing gifts of stationery to children in Soysambu.

GMU Students distributing gifts of stationery to children in Soysambu.

Baboon caugtht by a camera set by sudents..

Baboon caugtht by a camera set by sudents..

more baboons..

more baboons..

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WILDLIFE CONSERVATION RESEARCH.

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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

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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.

The uncoated electric line Cutting across Soysambu Conservancy.

The uncoated electric line Cutting across Soysambu Conservancy.

pelican walking on terrestrial Land

An Injured Pelican after being Electrocuted by the naked wires.

Dead pelicans along the Electric Line.

Dead Pelicans

Dead pelican.

Pelican Carcass.

Speaking for the Pelicans:

Beaty Limo ,

(Community Education and Awareness Dept.)

SECURITY DEPARTMENT

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Soysambu as an organization has diverse departments ,among them is the security that plays a great role to ensure that illegal activities are done away with ,such include: Poaching , encroachments and habitat destruction. The group is headed by the Manager that delicates the duties to the Supervisers.The Conservancy presently has a total of Fifty two guards.

Security crue during Saturday meetings,addressed by their manager.

Security crew during Saturday meetings,addressed by their manager.

The group during Departmental briefing.

The group during Departmental briefing.

Shared By; Cmmunity Education and Awareness Dept.

A dream come true and a long journey to World Heritage

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I must admit this past week I’ve been holding my breath while waiting to hear if the Kenya Lakes System  (Elmentieta, Nakuru and Bogoria) World Heritage Site would be inscribed. Then late last night while I was sitting in the dark because there was a power cut, I suppose due to the heavy storm,  I turned on my computer, hoping there was a little battery power to check my mail. There in my inbox was a brief note ” You are now part of a World Heritage Site, Congratulations!” At first I was a bit stunned having prepared myself for disappointment.

I couldn’t wait for dawn to rush down to the lake and experience a World Heritage Site. It was like  seeing everything for the very first time…my first World Heritage flamingo, my first world heritage giraffe, eland, tommie, impala, leopard tracks. I wanted to tell those little pelican babies that they would have a safe home. Magical!

It was a hard choice to just soak it in or snap a few photos as I had to rush back to Elmenteita town for a MOGTEKA meeting.

I guess you will need to Blog William Kimosop at Bogoria to hear how long a journey this has been for him, many many years…but for me, I was asked to a meeting back in 2006 when it was decided to try for WH status once again. The last attempt failed due to the unprotected status of Lake Elmenteita. Now began the long process of gazetting Lake Elmenteita Wildlife Sanctuary.

While this was in the process our Greater Lake Elmenteita Conservaton Area Committee and Stakeholders  worked with National Museums of Kenya and Kenya Wildlife Service for years in developing  Management Plan for the Conservation Area which includes the Core zone of the Lake and Riparian Land, The Buffer Zone , Riverine Zone and Controlled Development Zone.

We will be posting more information and links and photos to inform you of our progress.

Here is a link to the UNESCO Site.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1060

We will be looking for help to ensure the World Heritage Status.

Yours in Conserving our World Heritage,

Kat Combes