Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit

Category: Life of a Vet, Livestock, Wildlife | Date: Aug 28 2007 | By: admin

WA-KURIA are the tribe notorious here in the Mara for wildlife poaching. Unfortunately for most people living along the escarpment, they are also known for being a serious cattle rustler. Up until couple of weeks ago, Wa-Kuria were harvesting their maize corn and both the wildlife reserve and Maasai were enjoying their short lived peace from these people. Well, no more peace now. This morning my worker heard people screaming in village quite a distant from my house. Wa-Kuria are back from their maize field. Before the Mara Conservancy came to the Mara Triangle, poaching and cattle rustling by Wa-Kuria were both out of control. Mara Conservancy rangers have caught 820 poachers (majority being Wa-Kuria) and retrieved hundreds of Maasai cattle stolen by Wa-Kuria. This morning was no exception. As I drove to our vaccination point with my assistant, we heard on the radio that rangers have located the stolen cattle near TZ border. It is bad luck for Maasai to not to slaughter a bull when someone returns their stolen cattle, so I hear that there will be nyama (meat) feast in the boma tomorrow.