Helping Maasai People And Wildlife To Live In Harmony

Kenya is a home to a spectacular array of wildlife. Living closely alongside the animals like elephants, lions, leopards and wildebeest that roam these vast plains are the Maasai people. They have long been the guardians of the land, with most relying on livestock for their income.

In recent decades, people and wildlife are also being brought into closer contact. With habitats and resources reducing, animals sometimes venture close to human settlements in search of food. Elephants and lions are sometimes killed to prevent them raiding crops, damaging water tanks, or preying on livestock.

Photo used for description purposes

In the areas around the Maasai Mara National Park, WWF has been working with community managed conservancies to help both people and wildlife coexist and thrive. They have supported elephant and lion collaring, to track their movements and use this information to help understand and manage human wildlife conflict. Simple, innovative methods have proved effective in preventing attacks in livestock. Solar powered predator deterrent lights were installed on livestock enclosures, to keep lions away, and therefore help protect livestock and reduce retaliatory lion killings.

People at sunset

Through strong local partnerships and community-driven conservation, we’ve improved livelihoods, created healthier habitats and helped people and wildlife to coexist in ways that benefit both. Protecting these important landscapes is essential if we want to secure a future for the iconic species that call these lands home.

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