By Peter Lalampaa
Kipsing was identified by GZT as a crucial area for Grevy’s zebra through monitoring the movement of collared Grevy’s zebra and following up with a baseline survey in November 2013. Thanks to support from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund we have been able to expand our Grevy’s Zebra Scout Program to this important area.
A stakeholders’ meeting was held in January 2014 to get input to our plans to expand to Kipsing. The stakeholders included African Wildlife Foundation, Northern Rangelands Trust, Mpus Kutuk Conservancy, Office of the President through the Chief’s office, Samburu Trust, and Kenya Wildlife Service. All promised to give their full support to the Trust’s operations in the area.
One of the community outreach meetings in Kipsing
When GZT employs a member of the community, the participation and engagement of the entire community during recruitment is paramount. A total of 109 people were involved in selecting two community members who will create community awareness, engage school children in conservation, collect data on Grevy’s zebra sightings and implement local conservation strategies with their community. Mr Lobiku Lemagas from Longopito and Mr Loteku Lengulumen from Tuale were selected.
Mr. Lemagas has the nickname of “Loruwasin”. This means one who takes care of and depends on black and white for his livelihood. The name was earned after Loruwasin found a female Grevy’s zebra with birth complications and he assisted it by removing the dead foetus and injecting the mother with an antibiotic just like he would treat his domestic donkey. The elders unanimously agreed that he should be employed for saving the Grevy’s zebra’s life.
Lemagas and his family
As we usher in the new members to the scout team, the Trust believes in partnership and strong community awareness on conservation issues. We look forward to getting information on Grevy’s zebra use of the range, which will be used for local conservation strategies. There is no looking back; forward we move to secure this amazing range in Tuale and Longopito area for the stripes and other species!
Practicing data collection
