GZT News June 2010 - Grevy`s Zebra Trust

Grevy’s Zebra Trust News, Sixth Edition, June 2010
GREVY’S ZEBRA TRUST PARTNERS
The Grevy’s Zebra Trust deeply appreciates the commitment of the institutions and private donors who gave support and
collaborated with us between 1 September 2009 and 31 May 2010.
DONORS
Dr Mahendra Adalja; AZA Equid TAG; Bernice Bueler; Brevard Zoo; Mrs. Walter Brissenden; California Desert Chapter of
AAZK; Cheyenne Mountain Zoo; Denver Zoological Society; Detroit Zoological Society; Sue Dexter; Kim Diment; Disney’s
Animal Kingdom Lodge Merchandise Team; Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund; Derrick Driemeyer; Durrell Institute of
Conservation & Ecology; Patricia Emmerich; Fauna Research Inc.; Martha & Frank Fischer & Family; Fresno Chaffee Zoo;
Gilman International Conservation/White Oak Conservation Center; Phil Hinson & Kaye Hinson-Campbell; Jackson Zoo; Los
Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association; Kenya Wildlife Trust; Marwell Wildlife; Mohamed bin
Zayed Species Conservation Fund; Mulhouse Zoo; Phoenix Zoo; Prince Bernhard Fund for Nature; Reid Park Zoo Teen
Volunteers; Riverbanks Zoo; Sacramento Zoo; Safaricom Foundation; Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute; Sea World & Busch
Gardens Conservation Fund; Sedgwick Co. Zoo; St. Louis AAZK; Curby Simerson III; Toronto Zoo; USAID; James Warwick
Photography; Wildlife Conservation Network; Zebra Consulting UK; Zoological Society of San Diego; Zuercher Tierschutz.
IN-SITU COLLABORATORS
African Wildlife Foundation; Denver Zoo; Ewaso Lions; Holistic Management International; James Robertson Safaris; Isiolo
County Council; Kalama Community Wildlife Conservancy; Il Ngwesi Group Ranch; Kalomudang Wildlife Conservancy; Kenya
Wildlife Service; Laikipia Wildlife Forum; Lewa Wildlife Conservancy; Marwell Wildlife; Meibae Conservancy; Melako
Conservancy; Milgis Trust; Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust; Northern Rangelands Trust; Princeton University; Samburu
Country Council; Saruni Kenya; Save The Elephants; Sasaab Samburu; Savory Institute; Sera Conservancy; West Gate
Community Conservancy; WildCODE.
Grevy’s Zebra Trust News, Sixth Edition, June 2010
REASSESSING THE STATUS OF GREVY’S ZEBRA AND OTHER LARGE MAMMALS IN THE
MARSABIT REGION OF NORTHERN KENYA
The survey team gives their preliminary impressions
In February 2010 we undertook a three-week expedition to reassess the status of Grevy’s zebra and other large mammals in the
Marsabit region of northern Kenya. We were a team of 10 from four
different organizations including the Saint Louis Zoo, Marwell
Wildlife, Grevy’s Zebra Trust and Denver Zoo.
This survey built upon previous surveys of the region undertaken in 2000 by Alastair Nelson and
Stuart Williams and in 2005 by Marwell Wildlife, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the Northern
Rangelands Trust. The survey used a combination of sociological questionnaires, transect counts
and interviews with key local respondents to assess the
status of Grevy’s zebra and other wildlife species.
Evidence from our survey
Preliminary results confirm the conclusion by the 2005 indicates that Grevy’s zebra
survey that Grevy’s zebra persist around Sibiloi National numbers and range may have
Park and in the eastern Chalbi Desert and that these declined further since 2005.
populations appear vulnerable to localised extinction.
While we have not completed a full analysis of results, it is possible to draw several key
observations as to why this decline has occurred:
•
livestock outnumbered wildlife by many orders of magnitude
and is likely to displace wildlife spatially
•
access to water is a critical issue for Grevy’s zebra and other
large mammals. The availability of water for wildlife was
often restricted to livestock watering locations, some of
which have recently been developed to prevent animals
from accessing the water directly and therefore improve
water quality for people. Grevy’s zebra were observed in
areas where water is freely accessible and therefore cannot
be easily developed
•
poaching also appears to be a major issue, with a
proliferation of guns and an erosion of cultural taboos
leading to more widespread hunting
Based on the findings of this recent survey, GZT believes that the populations in El Barta and
Laisamis are now the northernmost fringe of viable Grevy’s zebra populations in Kenya, and a
critical buffer to the core Samburu/Laikipia population.
Grevy’s Zebra Trust News, Sixth Edition, June 2010
PLANNING FOR THE HEALTH OF LAND, ANIMALS AND PEOPLE
Craig Leggett reports
Grevy’s Zebra Trust (GZT) invited me onto their team to undertake 7 days of training in holistic
planned grazing first in Meibae Community Conservancy (November 2009) and then in West
Gate Community Conservancy (April 2010) in Samburu, northern Kenya. GZT sees this type of
technical assistance as mutually beneficial for the communities and for wildlife conservation.
In total we trained over 140 people comprising of elders,
women and warriors. These community members represented
their geographical zones within each conservancy. Two days
were spent working with each half of the communities and
then the combined group met for 1 day under the expert
facilitation of the Conservancy Managers Fred Longonyek and
Daniel Letoiye.
Holistic planned grazing can
regenerate severely
degraded grasslands,
stabilize pastoral livelihoods,
and improve wildlife habitat.
The workshops used group exercises to bring out common values and shared visions of the
communities. Starting with participatory mapping of past and present physical and cultural
features of the area, the discussions moved to how the group would want their future landscape
and communities to be. This information was used in the combined workshop to illustrate a
“holisticgoal”. This long range vision encompasses the social, financial, and biological aspects
needed to effectively move the conservancy towards its desired goals.
In order to make the link between where things are now and what the group envisions for the
future, the practical aspects of managing the land were brought up. The basics of ecosystems
processes, such as how the water cycle can be improved and how solar energy, which fuels all
life, can be increased, were presented through pictures and demonstrations. The participants
were impressed to see how something as simple as covering bare ground with leaf litter can
increase the amount of water available for plants. That translates into longer growing seasons
and more forage for sustaining livestock.
Meibae and West Gate communities depend upon livestock for their livelihood and healthy land
sustains healthy people. How can livestock be used as “tools” to manage for a healthy
ecosystem?
Grevy’s Zebra Trust News, Sixth Edition, June 2010
The principles behind beneficial grazing and overgrazing were illustrated and a focus on recovery
time for plants was emphasized. One of the basic concepts in Holistic Management is that the
amount of time plants are exposed to grazing – rather than just the number of animals – is what
causes overgrazing and its associated damages.
Chipping of soil through hoof action, trampling old vegetation to create
Another function
ground cover, depositing minerals in the form of dung and urine are
livestock can play in
aspects of animal impact. The group discussed how animals were
creating a healthy
herded and how they behaved in former times compared to now and it
ecosystem is
became evident that the land has not been benefiting from the potential
through their impact.
impact these grazing animals have. Ways to rejuvenate the land by
creating better animal impact were discussed. This could be accomplished by bunching animals
and herding within areas more tightly.
Grevy’s zebra and domestic animals depend on a healthy landscape
These two main points – giving recovery time for plants and bunching animals while grazing – can
be achieved through planned grazing. By the end of the 2-day workshops each group came to
the conclusion that they could achieve their short-term and long-term goals through properly
planning where their animals will be and when.
We posted illustrations of the many considerations which go into planned grazing: assessing
forage, determining graze period, setting recovery time, leaving forage for wildlife, avoiding
dangerous situations, creating access to water points, providing for drought reserve, and more.
In a combined workshop, the community agreed on boundaries between the
different grazing zones and on wet season / dry season grazing areas. They
also set a calendar for developing a coordinated grazing plan encompassing
the entire conservancy.
The enthusiasm and commitment for managing livestock through holistically
planned grazing so they can regenerate the land, create better wildlife habitat,
and secure a better future for all community members was outstanding. As a
trainer who has worked in other parts of Kenya and
Ethiopia, I was impressed with the organization of
If this can happen
both conservancies and their willingness to forge
anywhere, it will
ahead, create unity, and take action to make this
happen here.
work.
Grevy’s Zebra Trust News, Sixth Edition, June 2010
COMMUNITY CONSERVATION - DOES IT WORK?
Romain Mari reflects on his time in the field with GZT
visiting the Grevy’s Zebra Ambassadors
Dear Readers: I have just spent the past two weeks with
the team of Grevy’s Zebra Trust (GZT) and wanted to
share with you my overall experience. Originally from
France, I have recently graduated from a master in Natural
Resource Management in Brisbane, Australia, and have
progressively built a great interest in community-based
conservation initiatives, most
particularly in Africa. I hence The idea that a
decided to come travel along conservation project
the East coast of Africa, from can be equally
Ethiopia to south Africa, after beneficial to both the
finishing my degree with the environment and local
project of visiting a variety of communities appears
c o m m u n i t y c o n s e r v a t i o n to me as a brilliant
organizations along the way, in holistic approach… on
order to verify if this approach paper at least.
was truly realistic once in the field, and eventually worth
getting involved in. My stay with Grevy’s Zebra Trust was
very worthwhile: the social and environmental benefits
provided by this initiative really exceeded my expectations.
I was lucky enough to turn up when some members of the
team were heading for their monthly visit to the remote
villages of El Barta where the Grevy’s Zebra Ambassadors
(12 in total) are employed. This is the opportunity for GZT
to gather all the data collected by their staff in the field, but
even more so to consult the community. The road was
extremely rough, but the Land Cruiser and David, the
driver, made it through very confidently!
Every town we visited gave way to a community meeting
typically involving the local chief, the elders (both men and
women), the GZT Ambassadors and us, and always
amazingly located in the shade under the nearest widest
tree. The various communities were all extremely thankful
for our visit and even proved their gratitude by offering us a
wonderful dinner one night. Through translation, I was able
to realize that GZT truly has a positive impact on these
remote communities of North Kenya, typically living below
the poverty line, lacking access to health services, with
limited communication means, and regularly facing serious
food insecurity.
Grevy’s Zebra Trust News, Sixth Edition, June 2010
A trait of both Samburu and Turkana people which really
amazed me is how appreciative the whole population was
of any benefit provided by GZT to the community even if it
did not affect them personally. The fact that the
organization sponsored children in various communities,
for example, was only strictly financially beneficial to the
child’s family and yet the community as a whole is always
infinitely grateful. The latter were also equally thankful that
the organization created employment for some of the
young members of their village, as Ambassadors. They
even said that the Ambassadors shared their income with
the rest of the community by always sharing their food with
the
neediest
ones.
Furthermore, communities These are just a few
were greatly appreciative that examples, as the list of
GZT staff were all equipped benefits provided by
with a radio system. In remote GZT to these
areas like those we visited, communities would be
phone reception is often too long to list here.
inexistent and in case of
emergency, the Ambassadors happily share their radio
equipment to call for assistance.
I have repeatedly heard elders saying ‘we are now able to
taste the sweetness of our conservation efforts and we like
it’. A Turkana man who intervened during a meeting in
Nachola explained that he
used to be a poacher, Communities in which GZT
and even used to hunt has undertaken work of the
Grevy’s zebra. Yet, since sort have clearly changed
GZT has appeared in the and now understood that
area, he has realized how greater benefits may arise
beneficial
t h e from the protection of
conservation of wildlife wildlife rather than from its
may actually be for him elimination.
and his community and
has therefore completely ceased the activity. All these
times were quite emotional and one could really feel the
extent to which these communities are now ready to get
involved in conservation.
Conservation-wise, since Grevy’s zebra travel, and are
distributed, over a huge surface area, GZT cannot strictly
rely on protected areas, and has therefore made it a
priority to focus on communal land instead.
Grevy’s Zebra Trust News, Sixth Edition, June 2010
Furthermore, while the organization aims to tackle threats to
Grevy’s zebra across its range, all of its efforts also directly
benefit all of the other wildlife, whether by providing better
access to water, by improving local awareness, or by
significantly reducing poaching for example.
I was very impressed by the
work of GZT, and also by that
of the surrounding community
conservancies.
My
experience with GZT has
therefore confirmed my hopes
that community conservation
has a great potential in this
region. Grevy’s Zebra Trust
still has a big area to cover, a
lot of ongoing work to achieve
in terms of water access and
there are many more fields which require more work, yet it’s
efforts have most definitely proven successful and I am
confident that a lot more successes await. This is all of
course thanks to the varied donors contributing to GZT,
without which none of this would be possible. Many thanks
to Martha Fischer, from the Saint Louis Zoo, who kindly put
me in contact with GZT, and of course to the whole team,
and especially Belinda for inviting me. I wish you the best
and hope to have the opportunity to come visit you again in
the future!
Protective measures for
the conservation of
Grevy’s zebra is really
only one of GZT’s
achievements as a whole
lot of positive externalities
are derived from these
efforts, whether benefiting
the wider wildlife, or
improving livelihoods of
local communities.
All photographs shown in this article were taken by Romain Mari
Romain Mari
BSc Marine Biology and Ecology,
MSc Natural Resource
Management
romain.mari@uqconnect.edu.au
A PRIVILEGED PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION NETWORK
We are excited to announce that the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) has offered a two-year
partnership to the Grevy’s Zebra Trust! In 2010 and 2011 Belinda Low, GZT’s Executive Director,
will be presenting at the annual WCN Expo at the Mission Bay Conference Centre, San
Francisco. This year’s event will be on Sunday 3rd October 2010. WCN’s approach to supporting
conservation efforts is unique by equipping partner conservationists with the tools and support
they need to develop solutions for human-wildlife coexistence. Peter Lalampaa, GZT’s Field
Programme Coordinator was also selected by WCN for a Pat J. Miller Scholarship to support his
post-graduate studies in Conservation Biology in the UK. Thank you WCN!
Grevy’s Zebra Trust News, Sixth Edition, June 2010
THE AMAZING EFFORTS OF AAZK!
Martha Fischer explains the incredibly creative and inspiring fundraising efforts that are providing
critical support to Grevy’s zebra conservation
In the last decade, several chapters of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) have
contributed to Grevy’s zebra conservation and education activities and, when needed, emergency
efforts to preserve this endangered species. Since its inception in 2007, the Grevy’s Zebra Trust
(GZT) has enjoyed strong support from AAZK.
Whether they are hosting bake sales or auctions, T-shirt
sales or wine tastings, the ingenuity of AAZK to carry out
creative fundraisers that will generate awareness and
donations for Grevy’s zebra conservation never ceases to
amaze; their passionate efforts to raise funds for the work
being done by GZT on the ground in Kenya and Ethiopia is
deeply appreciated. The following AAZK chapters have
provided funds to support the efforts of the Grevy’s Zebra
Trust: St. Louis AAZK, California Desert AAZK and the
Oklahoma City Zoo AAZK.
AAZK’s support was
instrumental in building the
foundation of GZT, and several
AAZK chapters continue to be
dedicated partners,
contributing funds to the
Trust’s activities on an annual
basis.
The California Desert Chapter of AAZK held its first annual
Grapes for Grevy’s fundraiser in 2008. This event was such a
success that the tradition was continued in 2009. This unique
fundraiser features wine tastings with specialty wines from
regional wineries and is held in conjunction with a silent
auction. A portion of their contributions result from the inventive
and fun “Adopt a Stripe” program which allows participants to
spend $3 to purchase a short stripe and $5 to purchase a long
stripe, and the purchased stripes are pasted on the outline of a
zebra. All proceeds from this event support GZT’s conservation
activities.
The St. Louis Chapter of AAZK’s support for
Grevy’s zebra conservation has been ongoing for several years. When this
AAZK Chapter was quite young, they designed a t-shirt focused on Grevy’s
zebra conservation – it proved very popular and was a successful
fundraiser. Since that time, this Chapter’s fundraising schemes have
included not only the annual Bowling for Rhinos event and silent auction
which benefits rhino conservation, but also varied creative efforts including
animal artwork, T-shirt sales and phone recycling. In recent years, the St.
Louis AAZK supported the launch of the national 5-year Conservation and
Management Strategy for Grevy’s Zebra and has purchased a video camera,
GPS units and other vital equipment to support the GZT field team (a
member of the GZT field team sporting the t-shirt designed by the St. Louis
AAZK and using the video camera during the recent Grevy’s zebra survey in Marsabit).
Grevy’s Zebra Trust News, Sixth Edition, June 2010
GZT feels very fortunate to have a strong partnership
with AAZK. Each year GZT provides either a project
proposal or a list of priority conservation needs and
interested AAZK Chapters can choose an area to
support. All AAZK Chapters that support us receive the
Trust’s biannual newsletter updating all partners and
donors on the exciting activities and conservation
efforts ongoing in Kenya and Ethiopia, and their
partnerships are acknowledged on the Trust’s website,
in the newsletter and during every presentation. GZT
also supports AAZK fundraising efforts by providing some items to be offered during the auctions
such as GZT T-shirts and hats and unique cultural items, such as jewelry and baskets, purchased
in the communities where Grevy’s zebra roam in Kenya and Ethiopia
The conservation of the Grevy’s zebra requires
commitment and coordination among many partners
locally and internationally. In tandem with their ex
situ conservation efforts, international zoos and zoo
organizations, like AAZK, are playing a key role in
Kenya and Ethiopia by providing financial support
and fundraising assistance for Grevy’s zebra in situ
conservation initiatives.
The combination of global cooperative
zoo programs, heightened international
awareness to the plight of the
endangered Grevy’s zebra and
increased field conservation
partnerships, will save this magnificent
species from extinction.
GOOD LUCK PETER!
Peter Lalampaa, GZT’s
Field
Programme
Coordinator, has secured
a place at the Durrell
Institute of Conservation
& Ecology (DICE) at the
University of Kent, UK.
Peter will be starting a
taught
MSc
in
Conservation Biology in
September 2010.
His post-graduate studies
have been made possible
by the generous support
of the following institutions: the Garfield Weston Foundation through DICE, the Pat J. Miller
Scholarship through the Wildlife Conservation Network, Marwell Wildlife, Peter’s own community
in Samburu, and private donations from Patricia Emmerich and Phyllis Brissenden through GZT.
Supporting Peter’s conservation career is not just about an individual but also about a community
and is equally appreciated at both levels. Asanteni to all and we wish Peter all the best in his
studies!
Grevy’s Zebra Trust News, Sixth Edition, June 2010
The Grevy’s Zebra Trust was established to conserve Grevy’s zebra, an endangered species,
across its range in collaboration with local communities. Located in Kenya, with extension to
Ethiopia, we recognise the critical role played by pastoral people whose livelihoods are
inextricably linked to the same landscape.
Grevy's zebra are confined to the Horn of Africa, specifically Ethiopia and Kenya. The species has
undergone one of the most substantial reductions of range of any African mammal. Historically, they were
found more widely across the Horn of Africa including Eritrea and Somalia. Grevy’s zebra are in crisis and
numbers have declined rapidly. Towards the end of the 1970s, the global population of Grevy's zebra was
estimated to be approximately 15,000 animals; today, less than 2,500 animals remain representing a
minimum of an 80% decline in global numbers.
The Grevy’s Zebra Trust addresses critical conservation issues facing Grevy’s zebra and is focused on the
following key activities: employment of communities to protect and monitor the species; support of
education for pastoral children; awareness campaigns; partnering on research projects that link directly to
species and habitat management; rangeland rehabilitation through planned livestock grazing; and
supporting the implementation of the Conservation & Management Strategy for Grevy’s Zebra in Kenya.
For more information visit www.grevyszebratrust.org
For partnership opportunities please contact Belinda Low, belinda@grevyszebratrust.org (Kenya), or
Martha Fischer, Fischer@stlzoo.org (US)
Grevy’s Zebra Trust News, Sixth Edition, June 2010