Tsavo Cheetah Project

Conservation through Non-invasive Monitoring and Community Education

2011-10-27T05:27:00.003+03:00

The Tsavo Cheetah and its Ecosystem

The Tsavo ecosystem supports a significantly important cheetah population, which has been highlighted in Kenya’s recent conservation strategy for the species. This population along with connecting populations (Mara -- Serengeti) makes up one of two globally important cheetah populations in Kenya and one of four in eastern Africa.

Encompassing an area of 40,000 km² (15,000 sq. miles), the Tsavo ecosystem, in south east Kenya, is home to the unfenced Tsavo National Parks. Both parks, (East and West) total a combined area of 21,000 km² (8,108 sq. miles), making it the 3rd largest conservation area in the world.

Human – wildlife conflict within the region is on the increase, as the local human population continues to grow and expand onto park boundaries and into protected land. There are still many misconceptions among local residents on the cheetah's behavior and ecology. Many people fear the cheetah, unaware of its non- aggressive nature. As a result, reports of needless killings of this reclusive, threatened cat continue to occur in the vicinity—even within the park’s boundaries. Local poaching for bushmeat, includes cheetahs main prey species and has even caused cheetah deaths due to indiscriminate snaring.

Cheetah Monitoring

The Tsavo Cheetah Project is a long-term project; hence we monitor cheetahs for trend and threat information on an ongoing basis. TCP employee’s non-invasive monitoring techniques, including direct sightings, our tourists / park staff assisted photographic survey and spoor (paw imprint) tracking. We are building a database of cheetah photographs and Identify individuals through the aid of ‘spot matching’ software. Additional planned methodologies include camera traps, for high-threat areas where cheetahs are difficult to view, and the innovative Footprint Identification Technique (FIT), developed by the organization, Wildtrack.

Education and Incentive

The TCP conducts continuous community interviews and follows up on reports made concerning cheetah, presence, conflict, off-take, and tourist’s harassment, within the Tsavo region. We verify incidents of livestock depredation and educate residents through instilling knowledge on cheetah and predator differentiation and ecology, providing assistance on effective livestock husbandry, and encouraging sustainable, eco-friendly land use. Current program efforts focus on predator retaliation in three Maasai homesteads, adjacent to Tsavo East. We are working with these residents through ongoing meetings and livestock assistance. Concurrently, we are offering incentive, by purchasing, displaying and selling Maasai women’s’ beaded crafts at a Gallery in the US, and locally, in Kenya.

How you can help the cheetahs...

We are a new, small NGO in Kenya, independent in funding of any other organization. We are therefore dependent on the kindness of donors like you, to continue with our critical work. Here are some areas in which you can assist us:

Project vehicle hire per month: $800

Vehicle running cost per month: $300

Employment of a local assistant per year: $2400

Camera traps: $3000 Update Jan. 6th: We have reached our goal for 12 camera trap units, thanks to our generous donors!

Current camp cost per month: $300

Donations outside of Kenya are channeled through our affiliate: Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), Registered Non Profit 501(c) 3: #31-1726923. Please see details on the side bar to the right of this post or make a secure payment through paypal by simply clicking the 'donate' button. Your donation is tax-deductable to the full extent of the law.

Let's keep this healthy picture, of a lovely cheetah family in Tsavo, for generations to come...

2011-09-07T22:29:00.001+03:00

Photo credit: Tiju Aziz

The Tsavo cheetahs have been highlighted as an important cheetah population in the recent strategic plan for the species.
http://www.kws.org/export/sites/kws/info/publications/strategies/Conservation_and_management_for_Cheetah_and_Wildogs_in_Kenya.pdf
Unfortunately, these cheetahs face multiple, growing threats, as the local human population continues to grow and expand onto park boundaries and into protected land. There are still so many misconceptions among local residents on the cheetah's behavior and ecology. Many people fear the cheetah, unaware of its non-aggressive, non-confrontational nature. As a result, reports of needless killings of this reclusive, threatened cat continue to be reported in the vicinity. The majority of cases are not in retaliation of livestock depredation, although some incidents of goat raiding in locations bordering or inside Tsavo East, have been confirmed.

The Tsavo Cheetah Project is working with local residents to educate them on predator behavior and ecology and assisting with effective livestock herding and husbandry. However, the Tsavo region covers a large expanse of human populations and tribes and we need sufficient funds to maintain and expand both our community and cheetah monitoring programs. Most urgent funding is needed for vehicle hire fees, petrol, and stipend compensation for additional, qualified staff. Please consider assisting us, if you can, so that we may assure the protection of the Tsavo cheetahs for generations to come.

Calling all Tsavo cheetah photographs!

2011-07-12T19:15:00.000+03:00

Just a reminder to please send in your Tsavo cheetah photos, if you are fortunate enough to encounter a cheetah in the Tsavo region.

Given the vastness of Tsavo, tourists' and stakeholders' submitted photographs assist me in individually identifying members of this very important cheetah population. Auxiliary information such as date, GPS readings, landmarks and group composition are also useful in following up on sightings of individuals and monitoring them in areas of conflict. Please let me know if you would like me to send you a guideline / recording sheet, if you're heading to Tsavo, soon!

Remember to be 'cheetah-friendly' and only take photographs from a distance and on designated roads, so as not to invade the cheetah's space and interfere with their hunting or other natural behaviour (this applies to all wildlife).

Stop and scan with your binoculars from an open roof hatch or tour mini van. This is often the way I sight individuals from afar, without the need to get much closer or ever go off road (which is not permitted in Kenyan Parks) for an optimal photograph.

See my "Spotting a Cheetah" post, for desired angle positions.

Thank you!

A wonderful time in Namibia!

2011-06-16T07:55:00.001+03:00

Photo credit: Nicolas Feron

As mentioned in an earlier post, last month, I was privileged to attend the Wildtrack Footprint Identification Technique (FIT) Monitoring Workshop at the breathtaking N/a'an ku se Wildlife Sanctuary and Lodge, near Windhoek, Namibia.

Here, the presence of great conservationists and wildlife researchers met to discuss the technology and utilization of an innovative (yet ancient, in origin) endangered species' non-invasive monitoring technique.

I look forward to employing FIT in areas of the Tsavo region to monitor the cheetah, as it is developed further for the species.

Thank you, to Sanctuary wildlife researcher, Florian Weise, for kindly sending me the group photo and for organizing and implementing much of the workshop, along with the awesome Wildtrack team, and first class hosts and staff at N/a'an ku se!

And a special thank you, to Simone Eckhardt, for making it possible for me to attend. :)

Increasing local capacity...

2011-06-14T02:14:00.006+03:00

As an affiliate of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the Tsavo Cheetah Project employee's KWS volunteers who have earned a diploma in wildlife management, from the wildlife department training institute. We are currently looking for such a candidate who is passionate about cheetahs and wildlife to join us for the long-term.

Catherine Njeru (right, who worked briefly with TCP) and Cherie, running errands in Voi

Headed to Namibia...

2011-05-07T15:45:00.001+03:00

(Although, by plane)

Next week, I will be leaving for Namibia to attend a wildlife monitoring workshop at the N/a'an ku se Wildlife Sanctuary near Windhoek. With my interest in exclusively non-invasive monitoring techniques and continued correspondence with the folks at Wildtrack, I am very much looking forward to attending.

Researchers from Cheetah Conservation Fund (Namibia), Cheetah Conservation Botswana, Africat and other awesome international wildlife organizations will also be present. I'll post from the workshop, upon my return!

It's a beautiful day in Tsavo...(minus the off-road lion harassment)

2011-05-04T17:41:00.004+03:00

It's always refreshing to get into the park, especially after dealing with the hurdlles and complex issues that come along with all the field work... Although I did not catch glimpse of the two cheetahs I was tracking today, I did come across--and stopped-- to watch a couple of lions... This first photo represents the area and distance from the road on which I took the photos. Although I did not get a picture of the the vehicles themselves, within the approximate 8 minutes that I had stopped, two local vehicles from Mombasa passed my vehicle and approached the two lions (who were trying to sleep, much of the time) within a distance of 20-30 ft, off the designated road! KWS needs to do a better job at passing out literature which stresses Park rules... and visitors need to do a better job at following them and respecting the wildlife.This was appalling. Imagine how many times it goes unwitnessed?

Attitudes surrounding the Tsavos...Can the cheetah and other wildlife be saved?

2011-04-30T20:03:00.004+03:00

While my primary task on the Tsavo Cheetah Project is trying to get an accurate count and distribution assessment of the Tsavo cheetahs and monitor them over time, this all ties in with evaluating their threats-- knowing where particular cheetahs go brings heaps of information

Since I was out with my assistant, Catherine, all week, getting her started on the community interviews in the area of Tsavo east, attitudes of the surrounding people began to (cadidly) surface.

People are not shy to admit they are having serious conflict with many wild animals, both INSIDE parts of Tsavo East on which they (openly) graze their livestock and outside the park boundaries. They admit to the killing of all the big cats as the cats'approach their homes or livestock-- or even when they simply see them nearby.

They do not see the point on 'conserving' an animal, which is a threat to them or their livestock or changing their culture to prevent attacks. In Maasai communities, even though they were firm about maintaining cultural traditions and the fact of the young boys guarding the stock during the day, while moran and elders just sat together and talked. They said that they were 'open to change' if this involved paid employment, such as some sort of promoted 'guardian program' of the wildlife. Word spreads quick among tribes!! The Maasai also see 'compensation' as a means of ending the killing. Other tribes were not so open to change and see their people as coming before the wildlife, even with all the tourism and employment the adjacent Parks bring to nearby communities.

Bomas were clearly not tall enough or strong enough to keep the predators out or, in some cases, even the livestock in! Other tribes admitted to simply tethering cows to trees during the night. It's clear in the majority of communities interviewed, so far, that preventive measures are not being adequately put in to place and that much education is needed..

My new camp outside of Red Elephant Lodge

2011-04-23T21:51:00.000+03:00

Much of April and May, I will be camping at the Red Elephant Lodge, near the Voi gate at Tsavo East. After Catherine, my research assistant returns from Easter holiday, we look forward to beginning our community interviews in the in this area.

The camp staff claims that they have rarely seen cheetahs at their waterhole, but from other reports and personal sightings within the vicinity... I know, for a fact, that they do come around.

More exciting project updates to come, in the following weeks!

Sadly, more poaching in the area...

2011-01-11T20:19:00.001+03:00

Three arrested as rangers impound tusks, game meat

The Standard

January 10, 2011

President Kibaki cuts a cake during a thanks-giving service for the disciplined forces at the Holy Family Basilica, NairBy Renson Mnyamwezi and Antony Gitonga

Kenya Wildlife Service personnel have recovered 10 elephant tusks at a ranch near Tsavo National Park.The game trophies were from five elephants killed at Taita Ranch bordering Tsavo East National Park.

KWS officials said the tusks were reportedly being transported to Mombasa for export.

Tsavo East acting senior warden Jason Lesimirdana said the poachers opened fire when confronted.

The incident came barely a month after KWS rangers arrested five suspected poachers and recovered game meat at Kuranze near the Tsavo West National Park.

Speaking to The Standard after the recovery of the tusks, the warden said KWS had intensified patrols.

Two days ago, KWS recovered eight tusks worth more than Sh2.5 million in Eastern Province as the war on poaching intensified.

In Naivasha, two suspects were arrested by KWS officers with Zebra meat. They were allegedly selling the meat to unsuspecting public.

The warden in charge at Hellsgate National Park Nelly Palmeris said tens of suspects were arrested with game meat in the last two months.

Rangers also smashed a syndicate in which wildlife is slaughtered in Tsavo and meat sold at nearby towns.

KWS officials arrested a suspected poacher and impounded more than 40 dik diks worth Sh400,000. The personnel also recovered a motorbike used to transport the game meat.

KWS officers expressed concern some wildlife species face extinction due to widespread poaching.

Speaking on the telephone, Lesimirdana, however, said poaching was rampant in ranches and not in the ecosystem. "The suspect was found ferrying the consignment to Malindi on a motorbike," said the official.

Article at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000026444&cid=159

A New day, new light, new beginnings...

2010-10-23T21:47:00.017+03:00

As of October 14th, 2010, the Tsavo Cheetah Project is a long-term program, under Tsavo Ecosystem Conservation, our recently registered non-profit organization in Kenya. Kuna Karamu! (Let's Celebrate!)

Thanks to WCN...

2010-10-14T01:24:00.015+03:00

Our appreciation, to Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) for hosting the Tsavo Cheetah Project, among over 50 other conservation and animal welfare organizations, at their 8th annual Wildlife Conservation Expo, held on October 3rd, in San Francisco, California. Here, we met many new friends and supporters in the conservation world.

New Program Development

2010-10-11T02:31:00.055+03:00

Opportunistic Scat Collection for DNA Analysis We are collaborating with Cheetah Conservation Fund - Namibia researchers, alongside a Post Doctorate geneticist from the laboratory of Dr. Steve O'Brien, on a phylogenetics and phylogeography study. We will be collecting cheetah and other carnivore scat within the Tsavo ecosystem and sending samples to CCF - Namibia for genetic (DNA) analysis. This will enable both genetic identification of Tsavo cheetahs and the planning of genetic management of isolated cheetah populations across their geographic range. Empowering Women and Supporting Local Income Development In our community programs, our plans support eco-friendly income development, with special focus on local women. The power of women to help their families and the environment has been underutilized. While specific projects must grow out of the skills and natural resources of the community, potential initiatives include sisal craft, basket weaving, made from the crops of existing plantations, and other environmentally-friendly crafts for the tourist market, native tree nurseries, ecologically sound replanting initiatives and wildlife-friendly farm projects.

Fostering the Environment for the Future, Including the Campaign against Bushmeat

To address the urgent threat posed by the bushmeat crises in and surrounding the Tsavos, we will work with KWS and other conservation organizations on continuous anti-snaring campaigns. Part of this effort must include the hiring and training of local residents to patrol and remove snares. We are incorporating anti-bushmeat campaign messages into our environmental and cheetah education programs for schools, by providing teacher training and supporting materials such as posters, workbooks, and puppets for interactivity. We are additionally developing programs specifically geared towards adult education and awareness, using videos, plays and music.

Non-profit status in Kenya...

2010-08-13T22:21:00.032+03:00

We have recently taken the steps necessary to register as a national non-profit organization in Kenya. This will allow for the project to focus long-term efforts on sustainable cheetah and ecosystem conservation in the threatened Tsavo expanse. Please check back for updates!

"Tsavo Cheetah Photographic Survey" guideline / recording sheets have been distributed throughout Tsavo....

2010-06-14T01:09:00.021+03:00

During the months of March and April, we distributed the first guideline / recording sheets to many of the lodges / camps and nature guides in the Parks... we are already receiving feedback and photographs and will be following up with more sheets, by October. Sheets are also available as attachments by email, when you email the project. We and the cheetahs of Tsavo appreciate your participation!

'Spotting' a cheetah

2010-01-30T01:05:00.026+03:00

A special thank you to Alexandre Boudet, who submitted his beautiful Tsavo cheetah photographs for identification. His photographs’ demonstrate the optimal angles for identifying cheetahs through their spot patterns. If you look closely at each photograph, you will see how varied these patterns can be. Note both the large and surrounding small spots on both individuals. The ring pattern on a cheetah’s tail also enables identification; provided you have a clear enough view. Tail rings are sometimes overlapped by small, large, or merged spots. In our project, we are utilizing downloadable matching software to assist us with accurate identification for mark/recapture studies. This involves fitting a 3D surface model to the photographs to capture the spot pattern. All images are stored in a library where new images can be compared to those scanned previously, the software then displays the most likely matches. Combined with manual identification and other useful information on the cheetah (e.g. sex, approximate age etc), this technique has proven to be quite useful in monitoring cheetah populations. Please remember to respect the cheetah (and park rules), when observing and photographing them… Cheetahs can be shy and easily disturbed, especially during a hunt, which often occurs during the daytime. If cheetahs are scared off a kill, they are unlikely to return to it. If a cheetah’s prey animal is alerted by noise, the cheetah loses a meal. Respect the cheetah, by approaching them in a non-threatening, slow zig-zag fashion, as opposed to straight on, and give them space – do not surround them; Turn your engine off, or inform your tour driver to, when stopping to observe and photograph cheetahs, stay quiet, and never restart your engine when a cheetah is stalking prey; If you see someone else ‘harassing a cheetah’, please report them to Park officials, as cheetah harassment is not permitted in any parks or reserves in Kenya and it is a threat to the cheetah’s survival. Photo credits: Alexandre Boudet

Background

2009-05-08T23:25:00.026+03:00

The Cheetah is a globally threatened species, listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Worldwide, cheetah populations are estimated between 9,000 and 12,000 individuals, with population strongholds existing in Southern and Eastern Africa. The cheetah population in Kenya is not well-known but is believed to be at less than 1000 individuals. The main threats affecting the cheetah’s survival are habitat loss and fragmentation, a declining prey base, inter-guild competition with sympatric large predators, and conflict with humans through livestock depredation (Marker 2000, Global Cheetah Conservation Action Plan 2001). The conservation strategy for cheetahs is dependant on reliable population estimates, and an understanding of cheetah distribution and threats within protected areas, ranchlands and communities and along wildlife dispersal corridors. Tsavo National Parks There has never been a thorough scientific population and conservation assessment of the cheetah in and surrounding the Tsavo National Parks in Kenya. In 1990, Paule Gros (1998) estimated a potential of 440 cheetahs in the Tsavo National Parks using the average density method (Gros et al. 1996). Cheetah Conservation Fund Kenya (CCFK) and East African Wildlife Society (EAWLS) conducted a nationwide survey to evaluate cheetah presence / absence and identify key populations for scientific research and conservation. Information gathered during 2004 and 2006 in the Tsavo region revealed a high presence of cheetahs, providing a very rough estimate of 200 individuals, based on cheetah signs and group sightings made by park naturalists and the research team. Informal interviews conducted over a short duration, within communities and on ranchland bordering the parks, showed perceived incidents of sheep and goat depredation by cheetahs, poisoning and killing of cheetahs by farmers, poaching of cheetahs by Somali herders, and a report of five cheetah skins being confiscated in the late 1990’s. (W. Isaboke et al., unpublished data). The Kenya Wildlife Service had reported at least one confirmed incident of cheetah poaching in Tsavo West, during 2003 (Kenya Wildlife Service, personal communication). While in 2005, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust reported a cheetah cub that had been caught in a poacher’s snare in Tsavo West. According to the senior warden of Tsavo East, in 2008, poaching for bush meat had reached unprecedented levels in the neighborhood of the Tsavo National Parks (Julius Cheptei, personal communication) and with thousands of wire snares set indiscriminately, cheetahs are certainly not excluded. Based on evidence obtained from accumulative data and reports, Tsavo has been concluded as a key ecosystem for sustainable cheetah populations and therefore recognized as a focal area for cheetah studies in Kenya.