Project collaborators
Prof. Rosie Woodroffe
Professor
Prof. Sarah Durant
Professor
About our conservation work in Kenya
ZSL has supported Kenya achieve its conservation goals for the past 35 years and our work forms one of our longest continuous field programmes.
Kenya is blessed with an incredible natural heritage and a long history of conservation. However, the country has also face significant challenges from the impacts of habitat loss and fragmentation and climate change
Our work in Kenya began with support for the development of veterinary capacity to address the final cases of the devastating Rinderpest outbreak and support national efforts to halt the widespread decline of black rhino.
Since that time, our impact has expanded to include pioneering research and conservation supporting African wild dogs and cheetahs; support communities to develop conservation-friendly livelihoods that reduce human-wildlife conflict; training for rangers, veterinarians and support to EDGE Fellows; and continuous support to national policy for species and landscape recovery.
Flagship species conservation work in Kenya
We’ve been working with the Kenya Wildlife Service for thirty years to protect flagship species such as the black rhino.
Our work has involved:
- Technical support for the National Rhino Programme, strategic planning for protected areas, wildlife corridors and Critically Endangered species, including the black rhino, wild dogs, cheetah, elephant, pangolins and hirola.
- as well as action plans for African wild dog, cheetah, elephant, hirola and pangolins.
- Support to a National Carnivore Coordinator within KWS to help implementation of the Cheetah National Action Plan.
- Technical support and training for wildlife monitoring and law enforcement, including SMART-based patrols.
- Supporting wildlife health programmes including zoonotic disease management for species such as African wild dogs.
Flagship species conservation work in Kenya
We’ve been working with the Kenya Wildlife Service for thirty years to protect flagship species such as the black rhino.
Our work has involved:
Providing technical support and training for wildlife monitoring and law enforcement.
Using SMART-based patrols.
Providing habitat assessments and management.
Providing species management such as attaching collars and transmitter devices.
Supporting wildlife health programmes including zoonotic disease management for species such as African wild dogs.
Providing strategic planning for protected areas, wildlife corridors and Critically Endangered species, including the black rhino, wild dogs, cheetah, elephant and hirola.
Community conservation work in Kenya
Through our FAIRER conservation programme, we are developing new approaches to people-centre conservation in Kenya.
We work hand-in-hand with vulnerable communities living on the borders of National Parks and in important wildlife corridors to help reduce the burdens of living alongside wildlife and the poverty that can lead to wildlife crime.
We’re working to improve livelihood opportunities, financial resilience and wellbeing of the communities. And we’re building positive relationships between local people, park rangers and managers. Together, we can protect the vital ecosystems provided by these protected areas.
Monitoring, technology and training conservation work
We’re working with lots of different partners to improve ecological monitoring effectiveness, with new technologies such as SMART and Instant Detect.
Over 500
rangers trained to use SMART
16
partner organisations supported to implement SMART
20,036km/sq
of conservation areas with SMART in Kenya
Training Conservationists
We support and train young, grassroots conservationists in Kenya with our EDGE programme. As part of Wildlife Health Bridge, a consortium of educational institutions, we work with the Kenya Wildlife Research and Training Institute to develop innovative practical training courses about free-living wildlife health for wildlife health professionals in East Africa.
We’re increasing the number of wildlife health professionals able to monitor disease threats to East African wildlife, to help combat human-wildlife conflict and to improve rehabilitation responses.
We are supporting wildlife rangers with both Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service to develop a broad range of skills from monitoring pressures to community relations.
Sustainable finance for conservation
There is a major gap in the global need for finance to support conservation and the money available. ZSL aims to develop new approaches to investing in and supporting the recovery of wildlife at scale. We pioneered the development of the world’s first outcome bond for species recovery and since then have developed multiple models for sustainable financing. In Kenya our focus now is on developing financing options for mitigating conflict with wildlife to support communities particularly during times of need when they have suffered losses from wildlife.
Protecting wildlife habitats and landscapes in Kenya
Tsavo Conservation Area
We’ve worked in the largest protected area complex in Kenya, the Tsavo Conservation Area, for many years to protect the iconic black rhino. Providing support to the Kenya Wildlife Service and working with local communities to make sure people also benefit from wildlife conservation. More recently, our commitment to the landscape has transitioned to focus on community co-existence with wildlife and support to wild dog and cheetah conservation.
Find out more about our work with the black rhino in the Tsavo Conservation Area
Laikipia plateau
The Laikipia plateau is a globally important savanna landscape where exceptional wildlife conservation occurs alongside pastoral livelihoods, making it one of Africa's most influential and challenging examples of balancing biodiversity, people and land use. ZSL works outside of protected areas on the co-existence of African wild dogs and people through the Samburu-Laikipia Wild Dog Project. Established in 2001, the project aimed to identify ways to allow wild dogs to survive in the human-dominated landscape.
The Boni-Dodori forest
The Boni-Dodori forest is one of Kenya’s last remaining coastal forests, home to unique species, including the rarest of Africa’s Forest antelopes, the Aders’ duiker.
We worked with partners to understand the forest’s biodiversity by completing the first rigorous camera trapping assessment.
Find out more about our work in the Boni-Dodori forest
Kenya-Tanzania boundary
The Tushumu Project (‘tushumu’ meaning uplift and support in the Maasai language) straddles the Kenya-Tanzania boundary and encompasses the Loitas/Nguruman area in Kenya and the area east of Lake Natron in Tanzania. In collaboration with partner organisations, we’re conserving rangelands water catchments and helping communities develop climate resilient livelihoods.
Find out more about the Tushumu Project
Now, as human activities push our planet to its limits, it’s more vital than ever to bring people together. By with local communities and partners we can save animals on the brink of extinction and drive nature’s recovery.
People involved
People involved
Robert Kimathi is our Country Director for Kenya and leads our conservation programmes and relationships with partners.
Fridah Mutili is our Community Technical Manager overseeing our community work on the border of Tsavo National Parks.
Steven Musau, Nelly Musyoka and Bryne Kimathi sit within Fridah’s team working on livelihood development, human-wildlife mitigation and community banking.
In the UK and Tanzania, ZSL conservationists support our conservation in Kenya including Raj Amin, Sarah Durant, Nick Mitchell and Rosie Woodroffe.
Partners and sponsors
Partners and sponsors
South Rift Association of Landowners (SORALO)
Universal Ranger Support Alliance
Conservation Alliance Kenya
CAK-Conservation Alliance Kenya
URSA
ACC
BIOPARMA
These projects are funded by grants from:
Woodchester Trust
The Howard G. Buffett Foundation
IUCN/BIOPAMA
DP World
Private individuals
SUPPORT OUR CONSERVATION WORK
Urgent action to stop the devastation of critical species and habitats by helping people and wildlife live better together, is the only way to save the natural world we love and depend upon. That’s where ZSL comes in, and where you can play your part.