El Karama Wildlife Conservancy
Conservation
El Karama Wildlife Conservancy supports an exceptional diversity of animals including over 80 mammal species and 432 bird species. Amongst these are endangered lion, cheetah, elephant, Grévy's zebra, Laikipia hartebeest, wild dog and reticulated giraffe. EKWC flora is also rich and varied from savanna grassland, woodland, and rocky escarpments to riverine forest. Continous effort is made to limit disturbance and disruption to nature, to protect it from damage, harm and invasive species and to maintain access to water and suitable habitat.
Wildlife Management
The EKWC Code of Conduct prioritises wildlife welfare. We monitor wildlife sightings, numbers and incidents using EarthRanger, software designed to aid conservationists in wildlife management. Our rangers patrol the Conservancy to prevent snaring and bush meat harvesting and, when needed, veterinary interventions are carried out in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service/Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Mobile Vet Unit. Vet interventions include treating natural injuries, snare removal and helping wildlife stuck in mud.
Vegetation Management
To protect indigenous vegetation we carry out invasive species removal, including biological removal of Opuntia stricta using cochineal. We also mitigate elephant destruction of vegetation by creating exclusion zones, replanting Acacia trees and wrapping tree trunks in wire to protect the bark. Our rangers patrol the Conservancy to prevent vegetation cutting for firewood and charcoal making.
Habitat Management
We ensure that there is enough water available for the wildlife through the construction and maintenance of dams, which also serves to minimise the need to extract water from the nearby rivers. We carry out pasture maintenance for wildlife through holistic grazing plans for livestock, mobile bomas, fodder production and strategic grazing of our hay fields. We also provide salt licks for the wildlife and ensure that their habitat is protected by creating fire breaks.
Human/Wildlife Conflict Management
To maintain adequate pasture for wildlife, livestock is managed using holistic grazing plans, mobile bombs and strategic harvesting and grazing of 700 acres of purpose made hayfields. The strategic positioning of fences along our boundary with Endana Community have been effectively designed and maintained to minimise Human/Wildlife Conflict. They have recently been upgraded by Sanyati Ltd. with funding from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Within the Conservancy we use predator proof bomas and employ skilled stock people and night guards to reduce the predation of livestock.