NOTES FROM THE FIELD

MEET THE TEAM

*Scroll right for team members*

Ralph Buij

The Netherlands and Kenya

Dr. Ralph Buij is the Africa and Asia Program Director of The Peregrine Fund. Ralph has always been passionate about raptors, which captured his imagination at a very early age. Following wildlife studies and work in South Africa and Gabon, Ralph took over the coordination of Leiden University’s research program in northern Cameroon. While in that position, he carried out the field work for his PhD thesis on ‘Raptors in changing West African Savannas’, which led to the successful defense of his Ph.D. thesis in 2013. There, he also witnessed firsthand the devastating trade in vulture parts which is so prevalent in West Africa. He is thrilled to work with The Peregrine Fund’s team and partners in Kenya, trying to save Critically Endangered vultures using state-of-the-art technology such as GSM trackers. Learning how to help them survive the onslaught of threats, such as poisoning, is what motivates him.

Eric Ole Reson

Maasai Mara and southern Kenya

Eric Ole Reson holds an MSC in Wildlife Biology from Clemson university. His graduate studies was supported by the Peregrine and has been working with the Fund from 2013 as a research assistant. His Msc thesis looked at Maasai attitudes towards vultures and it is through this study the Peregrine Fund started community programs including mentorship and the vulture protectors. Eric is passionate about conservation and has been working in the field of conservation for over 10 years. He supports Dr. Ralph Buij in coordinating the southern Kenya program. Eric is also pursuing his PhD in ecological sciences at the University of KwaZulu Natal.

Valerie Nasoita Sankok

Mara central/Nkoilale

Valerie Nasoita Sankok is a Vulture Liaison Officer with the peregrine Fund Kenya. Before working for the peregrine fund she was an intern in Pardamat conservancy which is under The Maasai Mara wildlife conservancies where she gained hands-on experience. She developed the love for conservation from a young age since she grew up surrounded by many wildlife. Her dream has been to ensure her community benefited from wildlife. Valarie has a diploma in wildlife management from Kenya wildlife service training institute She has worked as VLO with The Peregrine Fund for 3 years.

Benjamin Lemein

Amboseli/Maasai Mara/Athi kapiti Landscape

Benjamin is a young Kenyan who grew up in a humble polygamous family of a successful pastoralist and poacher at the same time. His father became a successful businessman who could take cows to the Nairobi market but on his journey, he still traded on ivory and other wildlife products like hides and skins. As a son of a pastoralist and a poacher, he grew up and at a tender age, he learned ways of life where he could go look after sheep, goats, and cattle. While herding, he could imitate his father by making bows and arrows and did hunting of small wildlife like hares/rabbits, gazelles, and birds like pigeons and guinea fowls.


When he grew up, he developed the passion for wildlife and this motivated him to pursue a degree in wildlife management. Benjamin works as a VLO for the Eastern Mara.

Kelvin Ntina Murasimi

Amboseli Ecosytem

Kelvin was Born in 1990 in Amboseli and like any other Maasai child, he grew up herding livestock. He holds a BSC degree in environmental studies, from Moi University. He passionate about conservation and has been involved in this work for more 3 years having volunteered in conservation organization before joining The Peregrine Fund as a vulture liaison officer.

Isaac mpepedoi Tarayia

Athi-Kapiti

Isaac Ole Tarayia comes from Isinya sub-county Kajiado county. He Joined the peregrine fund as a vulture liaison officer at kaputiei and Athi Kapiti plains in the year 2017. Isaac started conservation work in 2011 as a volunteer advising the community living around Nairobi National Park not to kill lions due to predation. After high school, he joined college and pursued a diploma in Animal Health and production for 3 years at Mount Kenya University. My work involves community outreach in conservation, responding to poisoning incidences, rescuing and treatment birds involved in collusion, and electrocution by the power line. it has been a great experience saving the birds of prey as it makes my heart happy. I look forward to a day when carnivore poisoning will be a thing of the past and I am working so much towards that.

Abraham Loomuna Nkumama

Amboseli/Maasai Mara/Athi Kapiti Landscape

Mr. Abraham Loomuna Nkumama had a wildlife conservation passion from an early age and during his primary and secondary education, he was an active member of the wildlife and environment club. After completing secondary school, he joined Kenya wildlife service training institute to pursue a diploma in wildlife management and later joined Moi university to pursue a bachelor of science degree in Wildlife Management. 

Today, Abraham serves as a vulture conservation officer for The Peregrine Fund and has been largely involved in community awareness training focusing on the value of vultures in environmental cleaning and disease elimination. It is through his conservation engagement that the director-general of the Kenya wildlife service appointed him as an honorary warden for a period of 3 years.

Abraham’s dream is to become a leading conservation researcher conducting relevant, high-quality, and ethical research to assist in protecting the birds of prey in Southern Conservation Landscape and the world.

ROBERT'S EFFORTS

In September 2021, Robert Comstock and his team traveled to the conservancies bordering the Maasai Mara of Kenya and the Mara itself. There they met with Vulture Liaison Officers who play an important role as first responders to apex predator kills. Lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyena are four top predators that prey on the herds of Masai shepherds. In retaliation for losing their livestock it is common for a Masai pastoralist to locate and poison dead carcasses to kill the predators that take away their livelihood. Not only do the predators die where pesticides are the most used poison, but a single carcass can take down a range of animals with particularly damaging effects on critically endangered vultures. Vultures play the most important role in the ecosystem and are becoming a disappearing buffer that protects many lifeforms, especially humans from increasing pathogens and diseases. Of the 8 species of vultures in Africa, 6 of them live in the Maasai Mara.

The small team of Vulture Liaison Officers with whom Robert and his team met and accompanied to kill sites assessed whether poison had been used. In cases where it has, they try to recover both predators and vultures. Lions are sometimes placed on driplines and vultures are forced to regurgitate the poison meat and are then transported to recovery facilities. The primary goal is to educate the pastoralist and his family on programs that restore lost animals if poison is not used. In addition, they help with building more secure bomas or corrals, installing Lion Lights, etc., to better protect remaining goats, calves, etc.


Robert Comstock's collaboration in the field with the first responders forged meaningful friendships and provided the team with insight into both sides of the conflict between humans and predators. Their intent is to spread awareness and help provide resources with ongoing involvement and future visits. The imagery of the Masai Mara and culture of the Masai are an important inspiration for Robert's designs in the coming seasons. We especially look forward to sharing the efforts of the courageous Vulture Liaison Officers on our site and future posts, we invite you to join us.

"Without conservation intervention, these species have very little chance of survival and may possibly go extinct within our lifetimes"

Dr. Munir Virani

LIVE NOTES FROM THE FIELD

WARNING

The following notes and corresponding photographs include wild animals terminated by poisoning and carcasses of livestock killed by apex predators. 

The graphic images contained herein may not be suitable for all viewers. 

April 2022

Valerie N. (4/5/22)

Three sheep were killed last night by a hyena and two injured inside a boma in Lekanka. I consoled the owner.

Tarayia (4/6/22)

A group of about 37 vulture feeding on s zebra carcass near kitengela river.

Valerie N. (4/7/22)

13 sheep were killed last night in Olkirieni in Maji Moto.I consoled the owner.

Bennie (3/9/22)

In patrols at Olaro Conservancy.

Kelvin (4/11/22)

Masai local radio station reports of 53 sheep and 3 cows killed by carnivores last night.

Simon T. (4/11/22)

Note the open boma...

Ralph B. (4/11/22)

Yes that is as ineffective as they come

Ibra (4/12/22)

I attended a cross border meeting at Kitenden conservancy and got an opportunity to advocate on vultures conservation and the importance of a rapid response to a poisoning incident.

Valerie N. (4/13/22)

36 goats were killed yesterday night by a leorpard in Empopongi,Ole Lepore boma.

Simon T. (4/13/22)

What does the boma look like?

Be really good if bomas were rated in terms of size...presence of solid walls...absence of solid walls...size...protruding overhang top wire...costs etc. Rate these against mortalities. 

In time this will reveal the effectiveness of different types of bomas.

Multiple deaths in one boma are often the result of crushing in one side. These too need to be accounted for separately. Etc.

You probably have this data. What I'm trying to do is get large ranches to invest in proper bomas....and they can learn from you guys a great deal

Bennie (4/13/22)

Today I was in patrol with rangers and we visited one active nesting sites. The guys seem to be in most of the nests.

Simon T. (4/14/22)

Cool shirt...

Where are these nests?

Good to ensure woodcutting doesnt disturb them of course. Consider building more nests. My guess is that the trees are too high for baboons...the singlemost threat to tree and cliff nesting raptors.

Bennie (4/15/22)

@Simon T.- These nests are at Lekuruki hills, beyond Losho.

The trees here are too high, the area is less disturbed. The site is a tributary to the sand river. It's also a foot to the proposed Olpua Conservancy.

Simon T. (4/15/22)

@Bennie- Somehow we neeď to collectively endorse Olpua conservancy as hosting a breeding group of critically endangered vultures. They need to include this in their management plan.


Bennie (4/15/22)

@Simon T.- Sure ,it will really be a good idea because the breeding site will be so secured.

Bennie (4/15/22)

Today I went to Olkeju Osur,one of the Sand River tributary. Many nests are active and many nests found along the river.

Nice captions today, I borrowed a camera 📷

Kelvin (4/16/22)

Nice pictures, such good clear cameras are essential in our work.

Valerie N. (4/18/22)

Today one lamb was killed by a jackal while grazing in Nkoilale, I consoled the owner. 

Bennie (4/20/22)

Today I visited a Boma, its small in size. The walls are solid made of wood. Leopard 🐆 can easily climb over. I was called by an informer to verify an incident of a leopard attack. It broke in and escape with a goat. Area name: Orindo Siana ward

Simon T. (4/20/22)

Good to get those details. Yes leopards even go through a roof if they have to. But these are habitual clever individuals. The majority are not so bold.

Bennie (4/20/22)

I advised them that in situations where you cannot afford the wire mesh predator proof, they better hang pieces of iron sheets on top of the wood so that they make some Wrattling noise.

@Simon T. - Leopards are very clever animals.

Valerie N. (4/21/22)

Two leopards attacked a boma and killed three cows yesterday night in Empopongi.The boma is large and they used wood but very short.

Kelvin (4/21/22)

Three sheep belonging to olenasenke at olkelunyet area were killed by a leopard.

I talked to him through a phone call to condole him.

Simon T. (4/21/22)

Do you sometimes doubt that 2 leopards kill and eat 3 cows? Do you collect other evidence such as...

Kelvin (4/21/22)

@Simon T. - No doubt at all we have lived with cows alongside carnivores....they are able to kill middle aged cows and calves.

Simon T. (4/21/22)

Good...but we often see claims that are not accurate. 

For data collection it is always necessary to have evidence gathered by impartial observers.

It adds to the strength of the study.

Valerie (4/21/22)

Yes.

Simon T. (4/21/22)

Valerie...yes that the kind of supportive evidence reports need.

Tarayia (4/24/22)

This is a carcass of a vulture. It has died on top of a tree and fall off it is a very old carcass. It possibly died of poisoning as there are no power lines. I was informed by hearders

Tarayia (4/24/22)

This bird got stuck in a mesh wire chicken house and was caught by the owner!he is hurt

Stratton H. (4/24/22)

Hi Isaac. Yes he is a Tawny. What is wrong with him? 

If he is hurt we need to make a plan to get him to Simon or Shiv today.

Tarayia (4/24/22)

@Stratton H. - He is got hurt by the mesh wire but not much. But it's not safe to let him go.he can't fly for long .he was not well handled well

Simon T. (4/24/22)

Ok lets get this to Naivasha asap.

Put in dark box immediately.

We will need a vehicle.

Does anyone have access to vehicles?

If in big dark box it should be ok for tonight. 

No stress is very important.

Tying feet together is unecessary. If it is with rubber inner tube the feet will die on 20 mins.

Isaac i am trying to phone you...

Can anyone in this group contact Isaac?

Personally i think it better to let it go now...

The way it is being handled...the stress...the hours of transport...may well destroy it.

If it has no broken bones let it go.

Tarayia (4/24/22)

@Simon T - I have already released the legs. It can't fly for long

Eric R. (4/24/22)

@Simon T - Have contacted him. He is checking if the conservancy can provide a car. He has also untied the bird.

Tarayia (4/24/22)

I have tried to release the bird but it can't fly. It actually can't get off the ground. I have consulted with Shiv and Simon and shiv have advised that I put the bird in a closed room and avoid any sort of stress and disturbance. I have. I am also buying a chicken and chinja it and place it in the room just incase it wants to feed. Hope it will be OK. The bird looks very weak and stressed.

Ralph B. (4/24/22)

Any updates?

Tarayia (4/24/22)

@Ralph B. - I have tried feeding the bird with a chicken by leaving it in the enclosure buy so far it hasn't fed on it. It is just very weak.

The tawny has died.

So sad. It could have gotten internal injuries or maybe has died of stress.

Stratton H. (4/24/22)

Pole Isaac. I know you worked hard trying to save that bird’s life.

Tarayia (4/24/22)

I really have tried but unfortunately!I wish it made it like the kori and hornbill.

Salisha (4/25/22)

Pole sana.

Bennie (4/25/22)

@Tarayia - Big loss, pongezi Isaac. You've tried

Kelvin (4/25/22)

@Tarayia - Sorry isaac, you tried your best

Ralph B. (4/25/22)

That’s a real pity. Thanks for trying to save this eagle Isaac

Tarayia (4/25/22)

Thanks Dr. Sad it didnt make it.

May 2022

Kelvin (5/3/22)

One cow was killed by hyenas last night, I managed to condole the owner who was very angry.

They said some cows were left behind while grazing and they were ambushed inside the forest.

I advised them to be more vigilant and accurate while herding.

Benjamin (5/4/22)

Today I was invited to attend a meeting at Namelok camp at the foot of Olpua Conservancy. I was invited to talk about importance of Vultures and need to protect the nesting sites for this critically endangered birds. The community I talked to lives adjacent to the area and I advised them not to disturb the site by not cutting the acacia used by Vulture for nesting. People reached 34. Coordinates.

Valerie (5/5/22)

One cow was attacked today by a hyena while grazing in Empopongi.

Benjamin (5/6/22)

Today in my monitoring Vultures patrol at Orpua Conservancy, I came closer to the Lekuruki( meaning pied crow) cliffs which is a home for several birds. The cliffs are among the ones @Stratton Hatfield said found in Orpua.

Simon T. (5/6/22)

These would be perfect cliffs for reintroduction of Egyptian vultures. Done elsewhere and proven time after time to work.

If you drive it...ask for it...we can get it done. Its easy if you have 3 things.

1. Permanent Permission 

2. Prior experience 

3. Never faltering persistent will and determination even in the face of failure. 

Understand that failure comes in the same package as success. 

But success is inevitable when you have the above 3 in place.

Tarayia (5/10/22)

This morning at Arthi River. I managed to identify 2 active nest.

Benjamin (5/11/22)

Today I joined new Orpua graduates from manyani. I count this as a great network in terms of coordination and networking. I have set a day to join them in their camp for various training sessions like crime scene management which I gained through workshop and experience in TPF.

Benjamin (5/13/22)

11 sheep killed at Lekanka. The owner reported to KWS And compensation forms filled. The condition of the Boma seems improved but the Hyena still managed to get through. The Boma was well constructed but where the wire touches the ground is not tightened or pegged. I advised the farmer to add iron sheets on the point the wire touches the ground.

Valerie N. (5/14/22)

One sheep was killed and two injured by a hyena while grazing in Lekanka

Benjamin (5/18/22)

I was previllaged to join Naikarra residents who were in a land degradation calibration meeting held at FOC. I was given a chance to educate them on importance of vultures and effects of wildlife poisoning. In fact most of them showed positive attitude towards vultures and they sympathised how they end up dying from the poisoning farmers do deliberately to target predators. People reached-30. Group target, men women and youth.

Tarayia (5/19/22)

A cow attached and killed this night by a lion at Empakasi.

Valerie N. (5/19/22)

One goat was killed by a hyena early morning after being released from the boma .

Valerie N. (5/19/22)

We went to patrols early in the morning to sight for vultures with sian conservancy rangers.

Munir V. (5/19/22)

Valerie keep up the great work!

Kelvin (5/20/22)

Visited a boma that faced attacks to advise the owner on how to improve it.

Ibra (5/20/22)

An accident has happened this evening at a place called Olngosua in Imbirikani and as a result we lost an elephant.There was no human death.

Valerie N. (5/24/22)

30 sheep were killed yesterday night by hyenas from Letura family in Lekanka.

Kelvin (5/25/22)

Five sheep killed by hyenas on the grazing field after they were left behind by herders....I condoled the owner.

Eric Ole Reson (5/25/22)

Hi Team, please note there is a poisoning incident that happened outside Pardamat in Olkinyei side. One lion found dead and security are still scanning the area. We shall give full details later.

This is from Pardamat Conservation Manager this afternoon. Am following up.

Simon T. (5/25/22)

Ok let us know if any vulture in need of help...

Salisha (5/25/22)

Oh dear. That's sad. Does this need to go on the Mara Poisoning Response group for coordination?

Eric Ole Reson (5/25/22)

No vultures found yet.

Ibra (5/26/22)

Today I attended a sensitization meeting at esiteti and I took the opportunity educate the community on the importance of vultures in our ecosystem and the threat's facing the conservation of vultures

Benjamin (5/27/22)

I was privileged to join farmers at Namelok camp who were in artemisia training. Namelok is at the doorstep of Orpua Conservancy. It is located at the shores of sandriver estuaries rich in vultures nesting sites. I advised the community not to poison the predators because the effects will cut across. This area is a hotspots of predation.