Ol Pejeta Conservancy Shines As It Welcomes The New Year

Published By AfricanMecca Safaris | Blog Categories: Kenya.

Conservation efforts present many challenges, and the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in southern Laikipia has seen its fair share in 2015. Unrest and security concerns in specific areas of Kenya along with the threat of Ebola in West Africa resulted in a fall in tourism levels by 40%. The ever-present looming threat of poaching and arid climatic conditions contributed to the difficulties faced by the wildlife and their conservationists. Even so, Ol Pejeta would like to focus on the positives and every kind of support they received from global sources including social media posts, donations and commendations. AfricanMecca presents to you the top 10 cherished moments of 2015 in the conservancy.

1. Expansion Of The Black Rhino Habitat: Already distinguished for being the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, Ol Pejeta has added an amazing 20,000 acres to this reserve. This effort has been successful thanks to a partnership with the Agricultural Development Corporation and donations from the Monarch Group that has set up the Mantis Mutara Tented Camp to encourage tourism. Revenue from this camp will help finance conservation activities.

2. Assistance To The Community: The Community Development Program of Ol Pejeta has received US$ 750,000 which is a 56% raise in contributions for assisting the people. The program works towards educating, providing health care services, supporting agricultural practices and raising awareness for conserving wildlife among the communities residing in areas on Ol Pejeta’s precincts.

3. Rising Interest Among Local Kenyans: In a time when there have been fewer global tourists visiting Ol Pejeta, it is encouraging to see a surge in domestic tourism by up to 36%. More and more Kenyans are choosing to visit the conservancy for wildlife watching during weekends and school holidays.

4. Celebrity Support For The Last Northern White Stalwart: The last northern white male rhino received international support with a rise in his fan following after visits from celebrities from across the globe. UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and human and child activist, Khaled Abol Naga, actor cum model, Nargis Fakhri and Indian cricket star, Rohit Sharma contributed to raising awareness for the seriously endangered status of the species.

5. Receipt Of The Prestigious Eco Warrior Award: At the 10th Eco Warrior Awards and Gala Dinner organized at the Leisure Lodge Resort in Diani (South Coast Mombasa), Ol Pejeta Conservancy received award recognition as the Private Conservancy of the Year.

6. Continuing Efforts To Expose And Halt Trading In Pet Primates: Financed by the Arcus Foundation, the Project to End Great Ape Slavery or PEGAS was started in the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Its main objective was to uncover the illegal trade in great apes, including identifying the transportation channels and individuals involved. PEGAS found that many of the animals were intended for sale in markets based in the Middle East. And, some of the traffickers included appointed officials who were known to be committed to helping these animals. Early in 2015, PEGAS successfully rescued two chimpanzees from Liberia but has yet been unable to bring them to Sweetwaters.

7. New Interactive Conservation Projects: Conservationists at Ol Pejeta now intend to take visitor interaction and involvement to the next level. Tourists are invited to patrol the conservancy along with the rangers, track lions and guard rhinos, and go on walking tours for an upfront view of how preservation activities are conducted.

8. Esteemed New Resident of Ol Pejeta Conservancy: In the beginning of the month of November, rangers successfully rescued a male, southern white baby rhino from the verge of death. Expert medical attention and loving care has restored the youngster back to health and conservationists hope to return him to his natural home some day.

9. Educating The Next Generation Guardians Of Ol Pejeta: At Ol Pejeta, we understand that Kenya and Africa can continue to be successful in its conservation efforts only if the values of respect for nature and its creatures are inculcated in its next generation. School children are being taught conservation and educated by way of documentaries in partnership with Laikipia Wildlife Forum. Conventional education, extracurricular projects and solar power generation are all a part of the initiatives undertaken by Ol Pejeta.

10. Initiation Of A 5-Year Plan: Ol Pejeta’s management team have worked on and released a detailed 5-year plan at the end of March 2015. This plan outlines the objectives they have formulated for the conservancy in Laikipia for the coming years up to the end of 2020. Serious efforts, contributions and valuable feedback from the stakeholders of Ol Pejeta has made this planned project possible in the upcoming times.

Contact AfricanMecca today to plan and book your safari to Ol Pejeta

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