Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit

Category: Uncategorized | Date: Feb 24 2007 | By: admin

My name is Dr. Asuka and I am veterinarian in charge for Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit in Trans Mara area of Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. I came to Kenya in 1996 during my study of zoology (Skidmore College, NY) and later worked for Mpata Safari Lodge in Mara as naturalist. After seeing the need for veterinary care in the Mara, I enrolled in University of Nairobi (Vet.Med) and became a certified veterinarian in Kenya.

Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit was established with the help from Mara Conservancy. We tackle the difficult task of re-connecting the local community and the adjoining wildlife protected area in the Trans Mara. We have successfully completed the trial period for our project with a great response from the community. After more than 20 years of being neglected by regular veterinary service provision, Maasai community in the area is thrilled to receive veterinary care for their precious livestock. We believe that the success to the future conservation achieved through support of local community surrounding the wildlife protected area. With more and more Maasai leasing their land to commercial wheat farmers, vast savannah ecosystem which co-existed with both wildlife and livestock is quickly disappearing. By ensuring livelihood of the community through better livestock keeping, in turn they are protecting the future of the savannah ecosystem.