Soysambu Conservancy

It was great hosting the group for three nights as from 10th Jan to 13th comprising of Eight students, two instructors (Guy Combes and Ryan) and two drivers .While at Soysambu the group went for game drives and did school visit to Kiboko primary School where they donated stationary (Exercise Books, Pencils, Crayons and clipboards.)At the end of their stay the group was very grateful for the friendly environment and diverse Wildlife.

George mason 2013 group

Shared from;
Community Education and Awareness Desk
By; Beaty Limo.

BY:Chege Amos

Saturday 6^th marked the dry counts season for Soysambu conservancy limited. With over 30 participants drown from various stakeholders and local communities and the entire Soysambu conservancy, nine thousand, four hundred and twenty one animals were recorded. (9421animals) though the morning was misty the activity was carried out successfully. The aerial census was also done. Zebras recorded the highest numbers with an increase of 12%.  Zebras, Impalas and Thompson’s gazelle topped the list; most of animals recorded a decrease. However the population of the endangered Rothschild giraffe increased from the previous 71 to 80/recording a 12%increase over the last 5months. Buffaloes and impalas recorded a decrease of 31%decrease. The Colombus and the Sykes monkey were sighted along the river.  Small mammals recorded low numbers as a result of weather conditions in the morning.

We wish to appreciate the great support granted by all the volunteers. Special attributes are paid Lady Ann Delamere for organizing the aerial counts. We can’t forget the great support from all the lodges, Mbweha camp, sunbird lodge among other volunteers. To Kenya wildlife service we say thanks for the security you granted in the entire count period.

Mbogo and Kiboko primary schools of Soysambu Conservancy Kenya had a reason to smile again today on the kickoff of the lunch provision, this will increase the pupil’s class concentration and hence academic improvement.
Thanks to the donors who tirelessly support the African Children and community.
Shared By;
Beaty Limo

Kiboko Children being served porridge .

Serving the upper primary pupils

Cooks well energy Saving jikos group did a demonstration at Soysambu Conservancy yesterday to women from the 13 Communities that surrounds the Conservancy. The turn up was great, forty women were present, the objective of the project was to educate women on the use of energy Saving jikos and the use of barrel kiln to carbonize sustainably pruned and harvested twigs and branches hence encourage sustainable use of fuel wood. The Ceremony was led by Mr.Kinyanjui from the Cooks well Energy Saving Jikos and Graced by Lord and Lady Delamere. Among the hosts were the Managing Director Delamere Estate, CEO Soysambu Conservancy and the Community Education and Awareness Officer.
The group sales diverse jikos types among them are;
I. 3 Level oven
II. Mini oven
III. 6 Burner Energy Saving BBQ Jikos.
IV. The Newest Cooks well Space Heater-The ode to Mr. Toad.
You are also invited to join the cooks well customers by purchasing a jiko(s) at an affordable price. For costs Google Cooks well energy saving Jikos.
Shared By:
Beaty Limo
Community Education and Awareness Desk.

Education Section;By Mr.Kinyanjui.

Demonstration Session

The various types of Jikos

The Kenya Wildlife Service on Saturday, September 15, 2012 hosted the 8th edition of Cycle with the Rhino event at Lake Nakuru National Park.
Cycle with the Rhino is an annual unique cycling fund-raising competition initiated by KWS whose main aim is to rehabilitate the 74km Lake Nakuru National Park perimeter electric fence which is key in mitigating human-wildlife conflict, providing a secure rhino breeding sanctuary and protecting Lake Nakuru National Park – an internationally renowned bird’s watcher’s paradise famous for its flamingos.
Proceeds from the event also go towards community conservation education and the implementation of community social responsibility projects initiated by KWS for communities living around the park.
The Guest of Honour at the event was the German Ambassador to Kenya, H.E Mrs. Margit Hell Wig-Botte. Others to grace the event were the KWS Director, Julius Kipng’etich and two-time world marathon record holder, Amb. Dr. Tecla Loroupe.
The event brought together stakeholders, sponsors, communities living around the park and the general public through a unique and thrilling cycling competition as they cycled through the dusty hills and valleys, crisscrossing the heart of Nakuru town and its environs before culminating in a lifetime experience of a tour and adventure of Lake Nakuru National Park.
THE DAY’S CHAMPIONS WERE;
ELITE CATEGORY
1. Davis Kinuthia
2. Husein Manfred
3. Paul Ariko
BODABODA CATEGORY
1. Fredrick Musiani
2. Dominic Ooko Ouna
3. George Mwangi
SENIORS CATEGORY
1. Keneth Kamau
2. Anthony Kiarie
3. Keneth Kamau
JUNIORS CATEGORY
1. Peter Gathere
2. Jarsey Ngugi
3. Keneth karaya
AMAETUR CATEGORY
1. Brian Wardrose
2. Mbuthia Peter
3. James Kimani
Shared from;
Community Education and Awareness Desk.

8th edition cycle with the Rhino champions.

The bushmeat trade has been blamed for the alarming rate of wildlife decline worldwide; however, subsistence poaching has led to the local extinction of animal species . International, national, regional and local treaties and agreements have been signed to combat the vice. Soysambu conservancy in conjunction with the Born Free Foundation had a two day community outreach   on the importance of wildlife conservation and the impact of the bush meat  trade, with  video showings.   A whole day was dedicated to the removal of snares where 33 live snares were retrieved and 43 dead snares  collected within the conservancy.   This activity coincided with the celebration of the late  George Adamson a legendary lion conservationist, on whose legacy the Born Free film and later, the Foundation were established.

Community at Kongasis watching video on dangers of bushmeat

Snares found inside the Conservancy by Team

Just as the sun was slipping behind the Mau Escarpment I received a call that an endangered baby Rothschild’s Giraffe was in distress. I jumped in my car and rushed there with blankets and phoned the Animal Rights Reserved mobile vet unit in Naivasha. They are about an hour or so away so all we could do was keep the baby warm and give comfort.

Gabi and Maddie comforting baby giraffe

The sun was setting and there were hyenas close by so I asked our Soysambu Conservancy  rangers for assistance. Mike, who has been on the giraffe monitoring team, arrived with the Conservancy vehicle. While we waited for the Vet Unit to arrive the baby become stronger. When the mom came around we moved away hoping the baby could get up with it’s mum’s encouragement. It was just too weak from many hours lying in that position. When the mom moved away we kept it warm and rubbed it’s body and legs, trying to  get some circulation going. It finally lifted it’s head and sat up but still couldn’t stand and we couldn’t get it on it’s feet despite our best efforts.

Baby Giraffe lifts his head

The mobile vet unit arrived and immediately went to work getting the baby giraffe on it’s feet and examined it for injuries.

Standing for the first time

examining legs

The Vet decided it was in good shape but had been lying there in the cold for so long it was numb so he massaged it’s limbs. It was amazing how quickly he responded.

Feeding milk and glucose

The team then mixed a bottle of milk and glucose and after some coaxing he drank two bottles.

With that in him and feeling better he got up on his own and wobbled a bit but took a few steps. We decided to move as far away as possible and still observe with headlights dimmed to let it’s mom reunite with her baby. It was only a few minutes before she came up to him and touched his head and I guess, told him to follow her. She walked a few steps and he didn’t move, so she went back to him and maybe said “come on, there are hyenas about and you better come with me now”. (only my speculation) Well he followed her a few steps and stopped. She turned around and encouraged him again and he followed. Then he was looking for food so they stopped. She moved on and he didn’t follow so she came back, touched his head and he followed. This happened a few more times until they moved on. A little while later the baby sat down, I guess exhausted, and we were worried but he got back up again and followed her into the bush.

We think the mom was in the process of giving birth near the track from Kekopey to Elmenteita and she became spooked by a vehicle so took off running, the baby came out and hit the ground pretty hard. It is a tough birth in the best of circumstances. They usually get up and start feeding in about 45 minutes up to a couple hours. He had some scrapes on his legs and it was some time before he was discovered. The placenta was very close by so we assume this is the scenario.

A HUGE thanks to Animal Rights Reserved for their quick response which resulted in saving the life of an endangered species!!!

Kat Combes, CEO Soysambu Conservancy

In Soweto, South Africa, on June 16, 1976, about ten thousand black school children marched in a column more than half a mile long, protesting the poor quality of their education and demanding their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of young students were shot.
To honor the memory of those killed and the courage of all those who marched ,the day of the African child has been celebrated on 16th June every year since 1991, when it was first initiated by the organization of African Unity (African Union). The day also draws the attention to the lives of African children today. During the African Union Heads of states’ meeting of July 1990, it was resolved that June 16th be observed as the day of the African child. It was first observed in Kenya in 1991 and it has since become an annual event.
This year at Gilgil District, the event took place at Gilgil stadium and was flagged off by Rift Valley Director of children Services. Twenty three schools, children’s home, Non-Governmental Organizations and street children’s turned up for the event.
The team for the day was; the rights of children with Disabilities, the duty to protect, respect, promote and fulfill. Presentations dominated the day from the various groups, this comprised of; poems, skits and Songs .
Let’s join hands and ensure that children gets their right.
Shared from;
Community Education and Awareness Desk.

Rally Raid Kenya is a multi-round “Dakar style” national championship open to cars, buggies, quads & bikes & run to a two day format. Rally Raid Kenya is a multi-round “Dakar style” national championship open to cars, buggies, quads & bikes & run to a two day format. It is the fastest growing form of motorsport in the country with upwards of 45 competitors at each event. Based on the world famous “Dakar” event our cross country rally raids run to a two day format over a variety of terrain with the emphasis on navigation!
This event was hosted in Soysambu Conservancy on both Saturday May19th and Sunday 20th; it was fantastic despite the challenges due to wet season.
The sponsors of the event were;
Colortunes – competition numbers
ALS – medical helicopter
Feast with the Beast – accommodation and catering
Kick Energy & Mayes Media – DVD and TV coverage
All of the motor clubs and competitors (and their families)
Winners for the day were;
Cars
Simon & Whiz – Hybrid Plaz – 3:34:37
Bikes
Ross Field – 4:25:11
Quads
Joe Boulanger – 4:31:56
Many thank s to Mike Borrisow and his team for the good work that made the event successful.
Shared from;
Community Education and Awareness Desk.