Saving a keystone species
Elephants are among the most iconic and enjoyed of all wildlife encountered on a Mara safari, not to mention a keystone species within the ecosystem. Yet they face growing pressure from poachers and habitat loss, and are globally becoming an endangered species.
Thankfully based in the Mara is the Mara Elephant Project (MEP), which is one of the most dedicated and impactful boots-on-the-ground elephant conservation organisations in the world. Led by CEO Marc Goss, MEP initially began as an anti-poaching effort, but quickly evolved to include mitigation of human-wildlife conflict, employing a multi-pronged approach and state-of-the-art technology to address the myriad complex issues of elephant conservation.
In recent years, the scope and reach of MEP has grown beyond just elephants, and even beyond just the Mara, with conservation and anti-poaching efforts as far as the Grumeti Reserve in Tanzania.
The Angama Foundation is a proud supporter of MEP, having recently funded the collaring of an elephant, aptly named “Fitz,” in the nearby under-threat Nyakweri Forest, to keep an eye on his movement and preempt any human-wildlife conflict. Furthermore, the Angama Foundation has committed to a significant annual contribution to MEP through 2022.
