New Mobile Ranger Unit paves the way for high-impact patrols
Photo by Simon Pocock
At The Sarara Foundation, we wholeheartedly believe in supporting people to protect wildlife – and the indigenous Samburu's meaningful conservation work on community land has become a beacon of light far and wide. Working tirelessly to preserve Northern Kenya’s breathtaking wilderness, Namunyak Conservancy's Rangers are the heroes at the forefront of its preservation.
As the guardians of our natural legacy, they're responsible for protecting Kenya’s second-largest population of elephants, its largest population of Reticulated Giraffe, as well as wildlife like wild dogs, leopards, Colobus monkeys and other endangered species. They're also landowners and key members of their community – and because of their leadership and dedication to protecting this landscape, the future looks bright for our 850,000-acre conservancy as well as the people who call it home.
Heightened efficiency on the ground!
We are tremendously proud of the formation of our new Mobile Ranger Unit – who are paving the way for increased wildlife security and high-impact patrols within Namunyak Community Conservancy, thanks to the foresight and support of the Namunyak Board, The Sarara Foundation, and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
This specialised team of 20 includes Rangers from all areas of Namunyak Conservancy, KWS Rangers, and a dedicated driver. Operating on the go without a permanent base, they camp in and patrol areas with high wildlife concentrations, and are especially vigilant where possible human-wildlife conflict may arise. Furthermore, they also work closely with Kenya’s Police Service on cases involving security.
Joining us for the launch of this new Unit, as well as a range of equipment to support them in their all-important task, we were honoured by the presence of the Namunyak Umbrella Board, delegates from KWS, and revered Samburu Community Elders. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to them all for being part of our journey, and for their ongoing support!
Safeguarding our legacy, together
Namunyak – which is based in the wider Mathews Range Ecosystem – stretches over 850,000 acres of broad valleys and mountainous terrain. As the landscape we operate in is so expansive and vast, it makes the need for our Rangers to be mobile all the more real.
Heightening our presence with more effective and better-trained responses on the ground, the new Mobile Unit allows the bigger Ranger units to extend their reach as environmental guardians – and their capacity to strengthen peacekeeping, monitoring and evaluation, and community awareness.
Due to the challenges of climate change and population pressure, we experience quite a lot of migratory movement from across Kenya’s northern rangelands – which in turn presents various challenges to the conservation of our wildlife. The Mobile Team aims to maintain peace when armed herders from other areas are passing through.
To support their invaluable work and far-reaching efforts, the Mobile Unit received a rebuilt security vehicle, 15 bedroll mats, two fly sheets (for sheltering when it rains), as well as an additional tent. Communication equipment will be added soon to further improve security coordination conservancy-wide.
Tangible impact
Since being launched, team has already made a significant impact, and conducted wider de-snaring around trade centers. They've also been actively mitigating conflict between predators and livestock, conducting extensive night patrols and raising awareness of the importance of wildlife at water points in villages.
The Mobile Unit on patrol.
Spirit of hope
It’s impossible not to notice the spirit of hope among these Rangers, who all hail from the pastoralist Samburu community that’s lived peacefully in this wilderness for centuries. Intrinsically part of the history of Namunyak and its people, our Rangers are the heartbeat of its present and future alike. Maintaining the delicate balance where humans and wildlife meet, the results of all their efforts will reverberate for centuries to come. Humbled by their hard work and accomplishments, we're also encouraged to see how protecting nature through ecotourism and livelihood improvement is helping to restore this landscape – and allowing its inhabitants to thrive!
Celebrating their successes and supporting their continuous efforts to safeguard our conservancy, all of Namunyak’s Rangers were also kitted out with brand-new, high-quality uniforms – and they’ve never looked more proud! Boosting morale and improving their connection with their environment, the fully branded uniforms amplify the respect they receive from rangers in other areas, and the police.
Ready to patrol!
