|
2002 Project News |
|
A key focus for Amara Conservation in 2003 will be to assist the KWS in their work in the Northern Area of Tsavo East. Daniel Woodley, a second generation Warden (his father was the well-known Bill Woodley, who along with David Sheldrick was one of the first Wardens in Kenya) works tirelessly in this remote area, and on a very limited budget. With a little less than $1,000 a month, Danny manages an area comprised of over 3,000 sq miles, which is the beautiful but rugged and arid land that is referred to as the Northern Area of Tsavo East. This is a crucial and imperiled area in Kenya
 Danny Woodley and Ian Saunders in the air over Tsavo North. |
This area has the largest elephant population in
the country, but is confronted with some significant difficulties. Being
the portion of the park located closest to the Somalia border, it is a
common access point for poachers entering the country if it is not adequately
patrolled. There have in fact been very good intelligence reports that
with the next rains, the Somali Poachers have a well planned attack in
mind. The last major poaching incident proved that they are highly organized,
with new weapons, and even grenade launching rifles to shoot at planes.
Unfortunately, it was necessary recently to send all but 3 of the 70 Rangers
that would otherwise be assigned there on leave because there simply isn't
enough water for them to live there.
Because there is no permanent water supply in the
area, this as an ongoing problem which could be eased considerably for
the relatively moderate cost of around $15,000. At present they have only
a rock catchment system on Ithumba Hill, which funnels rainwater into
tanks. They currently have two tanks and both leak badly.
 A Typical Ranger Base in the Area |
Perhaps more importantly, the road system in the area has
fallen into severe disrepair. Most roads are reduced to narrow elephant
trails. Danny has been trying to open roads, using casual laborers and
the single grader truck available. Their other truck, an old Nissan dump
truck that's more than thirty years old, was stranded with broken springs
when we visited. If he can get some of these roads opened, AND keep his
few vehicles running, the rangers stand a chance to catch the bandits.
If not, this work is virtually impossible. A tank of fuel costs $3,700
- which is enough fuel for two months - but clearly this can't be acquired
out of the monthly budget 0f $1,000.
Simply put, he needs water tanks and fuel and radios for the rangers,
as well as some support providing salaries for men to open roads. There
are longer term needs as well, which once provided for will help to open
the Park to tourism, and it is a truly spectacular place to visit.
 What do you mean? She runs GREAT! Some new vehicles would be a godsend. |
On a positive note, Danny has just received the plastic tanks needed from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Once the rains come, he needs to build permanent concrete tanks there, using the water that is caught in the plastic tanks. We have an estimate of 2ksh/litre for these tanks, and they estimate the total cost at under $15,000. This, along with radios, fuel and some decent vehicles, are amongst the initial needs we'd like to help provide. They have three old Land Rovers that are clearly on their last legs, as it were. (See photos.) Then they can take the plastic tanks and install them with gutters on the roofs of all the buildings, and at the few ranger outposts that they have. These things can truly help save the day for Tsavo, for the elephants, the other animals, and the people who live there.