URGENT: Sustain a conservancy through the pandemic

• There were no reported sightings of wild dog in Enonkishu this quarter, but two were seen in Lemek toward the end of December.
• Kisaru, a female cheetah who put Enonkishu on the map after raising 6 cubs in 2019, spent a week in Enonkishu in early October (Figure 1). A daughter from her first litter gave birth to seven cubs in Lemek.
• Barikoi, a male lion who has been frequently seen in Enonkishu since 2019 seemingly reestablished his pride after an attempted takeover in November where he was injured (Figure 2), but recovered (Figure 3).
• Rainfall was slightly lower in Q3 2021 than Q2 2021, confirming the first true dry season since 2018 (Figure 4).
• The conservancy was flooded with cattle this quarter due to the “drought” in the rest of Kenya. At its peak in November, 2112 head were surviving in Enonkishu.
• Enonkishu responded to the infux of cattle by procuring a new design of mobile bomas and meeting frequently with visiting herders to ensure all abided by the grazing plan (Figure 5).
• Fifty three livestock were killed or injured by lions, the highest number of incidents since incidents have been recorded. Possible reasons include more cattle than game and additional herders who were inexperienced in the wildlife habitat.
• Cattle were offered a different mix of minerals and salt to equip them in utilizing the dry grass for energy (Figure 6).
• Mara Mbokishi Conservation Area is progressing in its formation on the eastern boundary of the conservancy.
• The 2021 Ultra MARAthon was a success (Figure 7), with MEP once again taking home the bull prize from the ranger relay category. Proceeds from the run will support participating conservancies, African Mission Services, and Mara Elephant Project.

Links:

• Conservancy Website

• Q4 2021 Enonkishu Conservancy Highlights (PDF)
  

HIGHLIGHTS FROM JUL-SEP 2021

• Two male wild dogs were seen throughout the quarter, always observed by rangers from Chali Chali camp, with a few other reports from neighboring herders.
• Kisaru, a female cheetah who put Enonkishu on the map after raising 6 cubs in 2019, gave birth to a second litter in September near the same site she had her first litter. She emerged from her den with 4 cubs, but the next day was found with only 3 (Figure 1).
• Barikoi, a male lion may have been usurped by some younger males (Figure 2). We are anxiously awaiting to see how it plays out.
• Grey crowned cranes flocked to the spring below Memusi dam in groups as large as 253 (Figure 3).
• As a result of the dry season, bomas have been moved to the designated grazing block to reduce tracking (Figure 4), Eleven calves were weaned, seventeen were born, and one young heifer was killed by a lion from the Herds for Growth project.
• KENTTEC team deployed insect repellent necklaces on the conservancy herd to reduce black and tsetse flies and further reduce the contraction of trypanosomiasis (Figure 5).
• Tracking devices were piloted to monitor the effectiveness of the grazing plan (Figure 6)
• Ranger appreciation day was held at the end of July (Figure 7).