OUR FIRST MASAI MARA LION RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS ARE LOVING IT!

Kenya - Wildlife Conservation - Masai Mara Big Cat, Wildlife Research & Conservation Project

Jun 25, 2010

Here's are some excerpts from the project managers' field diary during the first week at our exciting new Masai Mara Lion Research and Conservation Project!

MONDAY
The morning was spent preparing the volunteer accommodation and getting ready for our first volunteer arrival on the project. Margreet arrived in the early afternoon after which she received induction and then went out on a game drive with the coordinators and project manager to identify the wildlife species surrounding the campus and in the Naibosho conservancy.

TUESDAY
In the early morning, Margreet and the AI staff embarked on their first lion monitoring game drive. Lions were not spotted but we did see leopard and record the coordinates of the sighting. During this time we also observed the negotiations with Moses (lion researcher and scout) and the community after lions had killed cattle in a nearby village.  In the afternoon, our second volunteer, Kate, arrived and after she had settled in the volunteers were accompanied to Wilderness Camp for a short period.

WEDNESDAY
Kate received her induction presentation while Margreet had some free time. The volunteers accompanied the community outreach team from Olare Orak Conservancy to a women’s group in a Naibosho village. Discussions were held regarding education of women, a trip to India for two of the women and there was a wonderful introduction of African Impact and the volunteers.

THURSDAY
The volunteers and staff had their second lion monitoring game drive. Again no lions were seen although we had heard a kill beside the accommodation the night before and heard lions roaring all around us during the night. During the lion monitoring, we were notified of sheep being killed the previous night by hyena and Moses went to assist. On return, the AI team had a staff meeting and met with each volunteer individually to discuss their timetables for the next week and their preferences of project involvement. The volunteers then enjoyed some free time at Wilderness Camp.
And the project is going from strength to strength with incredible wildlife sightings and some amazing experiences and opportunities for the first volunteers!

Visit this page to find out more about becoming a wildlife conservation volunteer on this project.