Category Archives: Habitat Preservation

SECURITY DEPARTMENT

Posted on by

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.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND AWARENESS

Posted on by

Soysambu Community is an organization group comprising of 13 Villages that gave rise to an umbrella group with an acronym name Mogteka.The group is headed by the chairman with other six officials.Each group has it’s committee members, made up of seven officials.

OBJECTIVES OF MOGTEKA.

The objectives of this group include:

  • Raising public awareness regarding the unique habitats and importance of their conservation
  • Promoting the retention of the wild and indigenous, cultural, natural and Biological diversity of the conservancy including the general unique ecosystems the wetlands, the protection of the catchment area and it’s flora and fauna.
  • Building partnership with the Conservancy Management ,rural and urban Communities that boarder the Conservancy.
  • Influencing the opinions and decision concerning activities and events, which might have detrimental impacts on the Conservancy ecosystem.

PROJECTS

The Conservancy has played a great role to ensure that the community realizes the importance of it’s existence by establishing different projects in the different community groups, the projects include;
1. Medical Services
The Conservancy ensured the functioning of the Elmenteita Clinic by providing a water tank , doctor and Medicine dispensed every Wednesdays
2. Feeding Program
One School has benefited from such program through the Conservancy:Mbogo School.
3. Community Outreach
The Conservancy ensures that the Community is reached for education on ways of Conserving the Wildlife to ensure sustainability. This is done from one Village to the other, sometimes it’s accompanied by video shows in collaboration with other organizations. Schools are reached with presentations on Conservation.
4. Community involvement
The Community around the Conservancy is given chance in participatory management Through decision making involvement ,schools participate in Environmental Beautification and tree planting activities.

RECOMMENTATION
Welcome join Soysambu in supporting the Community :Conservation for a better tomorrow .
Cheers !!!,
Beaty Limo.(Community Education and Awareness desk)

Lunch Hour after the Meeting

Lunch Hour after the Meeting.

Allowance payment in progress.

Allowance payment in progress.

Community Committee Group Photo.

Community Committee Group Photo.

The former Community and Wildlife Manager Soysambu preparing for the community committee meeting.

The former Community and Wildlife Manager Soysambu after the community committee meeting.

A dream come true and a long journey to World Heritage

Posted on by

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

Soysambu Conservancy included as part of the Kenya Lakes System World Heritage Site as the buffer zone for Lake Elmenteita

Posted on by
Dawn on Lake Elmenteita a new World Heritage Site in Kenya

Dawn on Lake Elmenteita a new World Heritage Site in Kenya

UNIQUE WILD SPECIES OF SOYSAMBU CONSERVANCY

Posted on by

Rock Python. on a relaxing mood

Rock Python. on a relaxing mood

Python on the woodland.

Python on the woodland.

The Rock Python is one of the unique species in the Conservancy ,apart from the Black and White Colobus and the Rothschild’s Giraffe .The Python Classification is as below
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Python
Species: P. sebae

Description
This is one of the world’s largest species of snakes, with adults reaching lengths of over 6 m (20 ft). The typical adult length is 4.8 m (16 ft) and rumors of specimens over 6 m (20 ft) are generally considered reliable, but larger specimens have never been confirmed.
The color pattern is typically brown, with olive and tan irregular blotching, fading to white on the underside. At a glance, they can be easily mistaken for the Burmese python, P. m. bivittatus, but the two species are not closely related.

Habitats

Typically associated with grassland and savannah habitat, not too far from water (rivers, streams, marshes), sometimes entering the edges of forests. Often occur in or near cane fields.

Conservation status

While not considered endangered or threatened, this species is listed as a CITES Appendix II species, which puts restrictions on its exportation around the world. The primary reason for this is because their skin is used in the leather industry, frequently being made into shoes, belts, and purses.
Behavior
They are highly dependent on sources of water, and estivate during the hottest and driest parts of the year, remaining deep in burrows made by other animals. This species is noted for its bad temperament and readiness to bite if harassed. This is in contrast to the Burmese python, P. molurus, which is typically docile except when food is near.

Summary.
Lets come together and protect ,Conserve and Save the Rock Python of Soysambu for it’s Valuable products.
SHARED BY : COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND AWARENESS DEPT.