Basecamp Explorer Foundation
MMWCA – Sustainability Report May 2018
MMWCA, an umbrella body for conservancies in Masai Mara, was established to conserve the Maasai Mara ecosystem, through a network of protected areas for the prosperity of the wildlife and the local Maasai community. To date, MMWCA has a total of 14 conservancies covering 135,458 ha and 6 proposed conservancies covering 26,811 ha. MMWCA currently has more than 40 tourism facilities that support payment of the monthly lease fees to the land owners.
Since it was established in 2014, MMWCA has increased the area under conservancies by reducing the number of families living within conservancies. In 2017, MMWCA purchased land adjacent to Olare Motorogi Conservancy to resettle families living within the conservancy and also protected lives within predation hotspots areas through predator proofing of bomas. This helps reduce human wildlife conflict and promotes the coexistence of wildlife alongside the Maasai communities.
MMWCA intends to finalize on lease agreements with landowners and create more conservation space by pulling down fences in wildlife critical areas. As part of its 2018 goals and with more financial support, MMWCA will conserve more critical wildlife areas and support additional operational activities. MMWCA’s future objective include securing 15,000 acres (6,000 ha) for the northern wildlife corridor of Pardamat Hills for livestock and wildlife dual use, completing a dam for cattle watering, registering at least 100 leases in key wildlife areas, creating inventory of land available for sale outside already conserved areas, obtaining exemption or reduced fees for conservancies and increasing the community’s understanding on the importance of conservation.
Monitoring and Evaluation of the project
Aim
To conserve the Mara ecosystem, through a network of protected areas for the prosperity of the wildlife and the local Maasai community
Input
Personnel i.e. rangers
Activities
Secure & protect land acquired for conservation
Indicators
Size of acreage under conservation.
Number wildlife species in the region
Output
Improved conservation and protection of the Mara ecosystem
Outcome
Increase in the number of conservancies under MMWCA umbrella.
Increase in number of wildlife species, tourists and revenue generated from tourism
Impact
Securing more land for conservancies and conservation and diversifying revenue streams for the communities
Wildlife Statistics
Over the last four decades, it is estimated that populations of almost all the wildlife species have fallen by about 66% affecting the survival of the species. The causes of the decline include declining prey, human wildlife conflict and global warming. Nonetheless, the establishment of conservancies now bring tangible benefits to land owners ensuring the protection of wildlife in these areas . Although it is estimated that there are less than 2,000 lions in Kenya, efforts by conservancies ensure a higher survival rate for wildlife. A 2016 estimate places about 420 lions in Masai Mara representing one of the highest lion densities in Africa . Below are estimates of wildlife population in Masai Mara over the last four years .
Wildlife |
2014 |
2017 |
Percentage increase |
| Elephants | 1,448 | 2,493 | 72% |
| Buffalo | 7,542 | 9,466 | 26% |
| Giraffes | 1,619 | 2,607 | 61% |
Masai Mara has higher cheetah numbers than in many other places in Africa. There are roughly 31 adult cheetahs which have been spotted as indicated below. The information below is based on a 2016 report .
Region |
Number of cheetahs spotted |
| Masai Mara National Reserve | 23 |
| Mara North Conservancy | 4 |
| Mara Naboisho Conservancy | 17 |
| Olare Motorogi Conservancy | 17 |
| Ol Kinyei Conservancy | 9 |
| Other conservancies in Masai Mara | 1 adult and 3 sub adults |
Source:
Ogutu Joseph, “Kenya’s wildlife populations are declining markedly as livestock numbers grow,” http://theconversation.com/kenyas-wildlife-populations-are-declining-markedly-as-livestock-numbers-grow-66643, (10 October, 2016)
University of Oxford, “Scientists devise new method to give ‘most robust’ estimate of Maasai Mara lion numbers.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161213093048.htm , (13 December 2016.
Anyuolo Lena, “KWS census shows increase in wildlife population in Tsavo & Maasai Mara,” https://hapakenya.com/2017/06/23/kws-census-shows-increase-in-wildlife-population-in-tsavo-maasai-mara/, (23 June, 2017)
Kenya Wildlife Trust Mara Cheetah Project, “Mara Cheetah Project Kenya Wildlife Trust 2016 Progress Report,” http://www.maracheetahs.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/KWT-Mara-Cheetah-Project-Annual-report-2016.pdf