A day in the field

MWCT's Simba Project is a predator compensation project which strives to protect lions and other endangered wildlife in Kenya from the threat of extinction. Operating from the MWCT headquarters in Kuku Group Ranch, the Simba Project is one of the largest endeavors and most demanding projects of MWCT. We thought we'd share with you, through photos, " A day in the life of an MWCT Verification Officer," to clearly demonstrate how the project operates.

First, the maasai community member who has lost livestock to predation informs one of the MWCT game rangers who are stationed throughout all of the villages in Kuku Group Ranch. This game ranger will then report to the scene to confirm that there is a valid incident to be verified, and make a report to the base radio. Above, MWCT's base radio operator, Joshua Nkapapai, aka "Moose," receives a report of an incident involving a leopard jumping inside of a boma in Iltilal, the village where the MWCT office is based.

Above, the owner of the livestock explains the details of the leopard incident to Joshua and the game ranger who has confirmed that there is need for verification officers to be dispatched.

After confirmation, MWCT dispatches a verification officer to attend the scene, investigate the claim and confirm that it is a genuine case in which the livestock owner should be compensated for their loss. Above, Lairumbe (MWCT Verification Officer) and Manti ( MWCT Simba Project Coordinator) prepare to travel to the scene.

Members of the MWCT conservation team look for clues outside of the boma (homestead) of the claimant.

Confirmation! Leopard tracks.

Lairumbe and Manti compare their own height with that of the fence which the leopard jumped over to get to the sheep and goats inside the boma. Maasai bomas are usually surrounded by a fence of dangerously thorned acacia tree branches, and in this case, the boma was well fenced. However, a leopard is a stealthy animal, well equipped for climbing and jumping, and was able to clear the fence in this case.

A shot of one of the enkaji's, or houses inside of the boma.
According to the owners, the leopard jumped the fence into the boma in the middle of the night, and they were then awakened by the commotion caused from the horrified livestock. They ran out of their houses, trying to make as much noise as possible to scare the leopard away, but he was stuck within the enclosed circular compound of the boma, running in circles around the edges and looking for an escape route. He eventually jumped onto the roof of this small house and over the fence, back out into the wild. But, not before attacking and killing one goat.

The survivors.

The livestock owners.

After close investigation of the scene, and determining that the claim is valid, MWCT verification officer Lairumbe issues a credit note to the owners of the livestock, who will receive compensation,through MWCT,for their lost goat at a pay out taking place at the end of the Simba Projects first quarter. In this case, they will receive 100% of the compensation value of a goat, about 2500 kenyan shillings,because the attack was not a result of negligence on behalf of the owner, but a result of a very ambitious leopard.

Thus far, Simba Project has been incredibly successful, and we have witnessed a significant increase in the local lion and large carnivore population since its implementation in 2007 as well as overall cooperation from the maasai community to prevent the killing of wildlife. Averaging 4 claims per day, its not hard to see why SP is a demanding project, both financially and physically....it's a lot of work, but it's paying off.

we're happy to respond to any questions or comments that you may have about the Simba Project, or the work of MWCT. contact us at mwctoperations@iwayafrica.com

maasai environmentalists.

Naretisho Community Environmental Group

MWCT has recently organized a group of women from the Kuku Group Ranch community to implement and manage a small, communally run tree nursery project aimed at increasing tree cover in Kuku, educating the community regarding the state of the environment in Kenya, reforestation, and the importance of conserving the local plant and wildlife. The group has chosen the name "Naretisho," which means 'the helpers' in maa. They have already started planting local, indigenous seeds, and are holding weekly outdoor "film nights" where they show films from National Geographic and the Planet Earth Series, and speak to the community about the value of the land and environment. This week, the Naretisho Group learned about the Greenbelt Movement, its founder, Nobel Peace Prize Winner Wangari Maathai, and and all that she has accomplished for Kenya's environment, and they look forward to following her lead!!

planting

the seeds are growing!seeds are found locally, and planted in recycled tetra packs, using fertile soil which is collected from a nearby spring.

community members look on as Planet Earth "Great Plains" is shown

Mama Sara, one of the Naretisho Group Leaders, speaks to the community about the tree nursery project before showing a video from the bbc's Planet Earth Series.