Camp Mwaluganje – Elephant Sanctuary Project

 

 

Elephants and Humans

 

If it were not for humans, elephants would rate among the most successful species on earth. Thirty years ago, the elephant population stood at a healthy 3 million. Today less than 250,000 individuals remain, with numbers expected to decline further due to human pressures.

 

Loss of habitat and the ivory trade have been the two biggest factors contributing to the decline in elephant populations. During the 1980's over half of Africa 's elephants had been killed, and the population was reduced by 700,000.

 

Elephants range over a large area to obtain food, water and minerals, but due to rapid human expansion space is becoming an increasingly rare commodity. In Kenya , less than 20% of known elephant ranges lie within protected areas. Outside of these areas, elephants find themselves in constant and increasing conflict with human interests. People living near elephant populations tend to view elephants as a threat to their lives and livelihoods, therefore the resultant interactions are often negative, leading to the injury and death of the elephant, and sometimes the entire herd.

 

 

Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary

 

Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary is a community-based initiative that was launched to reduce the increasing human elephant conflicts in the area and provide protection for the now endangered elephant. More than 200 families have voluntarily contributed land to the reserve, agreeing not to farm this important elephant habitat. Today they live nearby and manage the sanctuary, earning more from tourism than from farming. Valuable revenue from ecotourism and gate entrance fees has also enabled the community to build school classrooms and enjoy a steady water supply and better roads. The area off the Shimba Hills escarpment in Kwale District is connected to a natural elephant migratory route leading to Tsavo East National Park. Although the Sanctuary is relatively small (250 km 2 including Shimba Hills National Reserve), it is currently home to the highest density of elephants (per km 2) in Africa.

 

In 2004, Camp Kenya launched a wildlife project in partnership with Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary. The focus is to develop wildlife initiatives, which benefit the local communities and provide support for the preservation of the now endangered elephant.

 

 

Your role

 

Our projects are primarily focused on trying to raise the profile of the Sanctuary to encourage eco-tourism in the area. Without sufficient visitors and their corresponding financial contribution, the sanctuary will no longer be able to operate and the land will likely be turned back to agriculture that will not tolerate elephants.

 

Equally important is to address the needs of surrounding communities who are ultimately the custodians of the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary. Camps International strives to ensure that human-wildlife conflict is reduced through practical and sustainable projects that benefit both the wildlife and the people that are dependant upon the same environment.

 

Therefore we have identified specific day-to-day activities for you that are an integral part of the long-term conservation objectives which includes:

 

So far, we have managed to complete the following projects:

 

• Regular monitoring of the elephants and reporting any welfare concerns to the KWS.
• Regular monitoring and reporting of illegal activities taking place within the sanctuary e.g. illegal game poaching, timber poaching, and charcoal burning.
• Sanctuary maintenance such as road and fence repairs
• Environmental education activities with the local primary school and surrounding communities
• Assisting on the production of elephant dung paper and souvenirs
• Veterinarian clinics for community owned livestock
• Extensive reintroduction of indigenous trees to the Sanctuary
• Fence and boundary repairs and maintenance to reduce human-elephant conflict

 

In addition this is effectively a very interactive 5-day safari and a unique experience to gain a deep insight into elephant behaviour and fragile ecosystems.

 

 

Progress so far

 

The camp was constructed in 2004 and is based at the main entrance of the elephant sanctuary. This has enabled us to promote the initiative to tourists who visit, thus promoting the ethics of eco-tourism and giving direct benefit to the wildlife and the local communities. Experienced Camp Kenya staff also work closely with the sanctuary management and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to provide regular recommendations and feed into the ongoing research and monitoring of elephant populations and the ecosystem.

 

So far, we have managed to complete the following projects:

 

• Constructed and decorated a visitors’ information centre where the elephant dung paper is currently made
• Renovated gift shop by plastering, fitting door and windows and painting

 



 

• Reconstructed Kadingo Drift and several road repairs
• Improved facilities at the existing campsite by building a septic tank, constructing a toilet block and installing two flushable toilets with appropriate plumbing
• Repaired the roof of the main sanctuary office, plastered walls and repainted the sanctuary staff quarters and also the toilet block

 



 

• Constructed and painted signposts to help visitors orientate themselves around the Sanctuary
• Built a septic tank for the proposed campsite on Dead Tree Hill
• Repairs to fence line B between mile 9 and 12

 



 

• Made and decorated a large quantity of elephant dung paper products
• Established two tree nurseries for reintroduction of indigenous trees and stock for planting as a natural buffer zone along the fence
• Veterinarian treatment of several hundreds goats and cows from the surrounding area

 

 

Please note that if this is something you are eager to become involved with it is a good idea to check with us at point of booking that the project will be running during your chosen period.