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Answer is Not Always Black and White

Category: Wildlife | Date: Nov 12 2007 | By: admin

I visited my friend’s land next to Mara River today. I was supposed to check out the camp site for the Dupoto exchange students. My friend recently build a fence around their land, mostly against the intrusion of land grabber whom they have been fighting for over 30 years. Many people have complained that the fence will cut off the elephant route to the top of the escarpment and it would interfer with their migration pattern. I originally thought so too, but recent visits to their land has convinced me that it is not exactly so.

Elephants are crossing the river from Koiyaki Group Ranch to Trans Mara side (my friend’s land) to feed and they return again to the Koiyaki side in the evening. The elephant spoor and dung are all over the place and today we walked into one elephant browsing peacefully and two other dozing while standing (it was little shocking because we were on foot when we confronted them). More elephants have been sighted in this fenced enclosure over the last couple of months than in the past. The reason is the fence.

The fence is keeping the Maasai herdsmen and their cattle off this land so elephants are roaming freely without any outside disturbance. Elephant dislike herd of cattle, goat and sheep. I am not sure what exactly they ditest, but they would chase away the cattle when confronted. Now the fence everybody thought would create problem for the elephant has created small elephant sanctuary where they feed and rest during the day without being harassed by Maasai cattle. Where in the Maasai land would you find elephants dozing off in the middle of the day? (no where!)

Similar incident happened in Koiyaki where Maasai boma within the group ranch were forced out of the wildlife designated area. They were ordered to move to two centers located just outside the “wildlife zone”. Theoretically, this was supposed to create area without human settlements where tourists can enjoy their African bush experience. Well, what happened after the Maasai evacuation was not what many expected. Carnivores moved outside of the “wildlife area” and followed the Maasai and their livestock! Lions probably have easy time preying on livestock at night when they roam near the human settlement (Koiyaki have very high incident of livestock attack). Cheetahs also like staying near boma because lions stay away from Maasai during the day (cheetah are diural hunter and lions routinely kill cheetah cubs as well). Now majority of the large carnivores are seen near the boundary of the “wildlife zone”.

Wild animals do adapt to changing world, perhaps much better than we think they would… There is no such thing as ideal conservation plan. The landscape changes, people’s attitude changes and wildlife behavior changes. It is always good to have an open mind when deciding on what is good for the area. Good intension might not always bring out as good result while not so great idea may turn out to be the solution. Sleeping elephants at my friend’s land taught me one thing today, “never jump to conclusion”.

twiga1.jpg
While elephants keep a distance from Maasai cattle, giraffes are frequently seen near the cattle. Perhaps they know that lions would not likely to be found where Maasai herdsman keep watchful eyes on their cattle.

21 Responses to “Answer is Not Always Black and White”

Pam/Shell Beach CA, on 13 Nov 2007

You never know, huh. Thanks for sharing your great stories. I really enjoy reading them.

Christine C., on 13 Nov 2007

Wow, what an interesting turn of events…and some happy elephants!!

Jim G. (from Massachusetts USA), on 13 Nov 2007

It sounds like your friend should round up some friendly dung beetles!

Ann, on 13 Nov 2007

Asuka,
great post. i read a lot about the Massai and wild animal conflicts and this post of yours has been one of the few bright spots for me to read, thank you.

Claudia Davis in NYC, on 13 Nov 2007

I have read the posts here in the last day afer finding this Board. I emailed Toyota about possibly donating a Landcruiser for this cause, even a used one and they turned me down flat. They indicate a private individual cannot make such requests. Have you ever thought of contacting Toyota for such a request? I have already told them a bit about your organziation. The email at toyota is toyota_cares@toyota.com My denial came from Diedre Johnson, a run of the mill customer care rep. Maybe your request, since it is from the actual group, will make it farther. Just an idea.

Lisa, California, on 15 Nov 2007

Asuka, such as life. Life can always teach us how to be “open minded”, that is for sure! I’m happy to hear that the elphants feel safe on your friends land. I hope they allow him to keep the fence and he does not get too much hassle about it. It sounds like your friend has created quite a special place for the elephants. I’m happy about this. Lisa

Wanda, Atlanta, on 15 Nov 2007

Is your project on hold because of the vehicle issue –

Dana, Arizona, on 15 Nov 2007

Asuka - This land that you are speaking of is that the place where the German lady lived down from KTC?

asuka, on 16 Nov 2007

Dana- It is French lady’s place. Now, no one lives inside the compound permanently. There are only 5 or so workers left now so virtually there is no human movement inside the compound. As the fence is cutting off Maasai from the nearby manyatta and their cattle, the area now is full of tall grass and none of trees are cut down by Maasai ladies for house building or firewood. So now many hippos are there evey night to eat the tall grass, elephants cross the river from Koiyaki during the day when Koiyaki is full of cattle and herdsmen. When you go in there, all the tress got elephant feeding marks, sooo many elephant dungs and hippo tracks. I used to stay there when I was commuting to Mara and I never saw so many animal activities (Maasai used to come inside the compound, you wil find even 20 Maasai in a day asking for job or money, etc). It is interesting turn of event. As ugly as the fence looks from outside, if it is taken off, I believe that all the animals will move out from there, replaced by cattle/goat/sheep and people cutting the tree. My friend working at Olonana was always complaining that Maasai ladies are cutting down all the trees that lodge have planted. Olonana was bare ground when the lodge was built in 99. All the trees were cut down in that area for firewood, you could see the reception area from the top gate. Now, the forest is protected by lodge fence. I am not so sure what is right and what is wrong anymore…

asuka, on 16 Nov 2007

Wanda- Yes, unfotunately you cannot do anything in 500 sq km savannah when there is no vehicle…

asuka, on 16 Nov 2007

Christine- Happy and dozzy elephants!

asuka, on 16 Nov 2007

Jim-Dung beetles are already busy with their job!

asuka, on 16 Nov 2007

Pam-It is really interesting how there is no straight forward right and wrong answer with nature.

asuka, on 16 Nov 2007

Ann-In all the Maasai-wildlife conflict cases, the animals learn how to avoid the Maasai. In some area elephants changed the hours they visit waterhole as Maasai use it during the day. I guess this case near Mara River was one of very unexpected turn of event.

asuka, on 16 Nov 2007

Claudia-Thank you for the information! I will write to them ASAP!

asuka, on 16 Nov 2007

Lisa-I am not so sure if the whole concept of fencing is right and it does look ugly when you see a fence in the savannah. However, just like the other animals adapt to changing world, it looks like elephants have done that in this small area.

asuka, on 16 Nov 2007

It is very interesting that many unexpected things happen when dealing with wild animals which coexisted with humans. I am sure that wildlife conservation is much more straight forward inside the protected area as external factor such as human activities are not counted in. The animals do not live in the “controlled environment” when it crosses over the reserve boundary and things become much more “complicated” (also “interesting” because it is real life issue and not just theories)

Jim G. (from Massachusetts USA), on 16 Nov 2007

Asuka … I emailed WD that they have to contact Toyota, and maybe other car companies, as an entity … I said the Chairman or President has to do it, for Toyota to pay attention, I think! … Toyota told ‘Claudia Davis in NYC’ that “a private individual cannot make such requests” … but, more than one letter is probably good! … we need to nag the WD exec’s to get going!

Jim G. (from Massachusetts USA), on 17 Nov 2007

Asuka … I heard from WD … the wheels are turning (no pun intended)!

asuka, on 19 Nov 2007

Jim- are they writing the request letter…?

Wanda, Atlanta, on 21 Nov 2007

Oprah loves to give cars away — I think I will shoot a few letters to her — can’t hurt!

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