The sun rises over the plains at Loijok, Samburu, revealing a herd of Grevy’s Zebra grazing peacefully. These zebra share their grazing land with people, and, with the sound of approaching cattle herds, soon move to higher ground.
For the Indigenous Samburu of northern Kenya, seeing Grevy’s zebra near their homes is a sign of peace and prosperity. “When the Grevy’s are here, we know there is water, we know there is food, and we know there is no danger from people,” says Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ambassador Alois Lempesie. Grevy’s zebra are endemic to central and northern Kenya and southern and north-eastern Ethiopia. They are one of Africa’s most endangered large mammals, with only ~3000 left in the wild. Threats to the species include poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and habitat degradation. Understanding the connection between Indigenous Peoples and their environment, and valuing the potential for Indigenous Peoples to be key partners in conservation, Grevy’s Zebra Trust empowers local communities to ensure that animals and ecosystems are protected in a sustainable way. In a world where Indigenous Peoples are so frequently excluded from ancestral Lands, overlooked by preservation efforts, and marginalised in environmental management, the Trust’s collaborative approach serves as an example for other biodiversity protection initiatives.
Men and women like Alois work as wildlife scouts, monitoring the health of the highly endangered Grevy’s Zebra population and other iconic species. Trained in data collection, the scouts are equipped with cameras, GPS, and worksheets to gather valuable environmental information. Their records guide the Trust’s work, informing everything from anti-poaching actions to major infrastructure investments. Climate change has led to prolonged drought in the arid region, creating greater resource competition between wildlife, livestock, and human communities. Communities can easily find themselves in a vicious cycle, poaching to make ends meet and facing a diminished capacity to manage ecosystems sustainably. Increased pressure for survival, cattle rustling, and disputes over grazing and water rights have led to tensions between the Sambura and other tribes such as the Turkana. Firearms are more readily available, intensifying possibilities for violent conflict.
To address this, Grevy’s Zebra Trust works with Samburu villages to grow more grass meant for all animal populations. Grasslands champions like Ngeeti Lempate, a highly respected member of the community known as ‘Mama Grevy’, build ditches and soil bands to counter soil erosion and harvest valuable grass seeds for planting. During the drought of the past two years, these areas have yielded life-giving grass at a time when the surrounding land was barren. With the income she has earned as a Trust conservation employee, Mama Grevy has been able to support her children and grandchildren. Her planting work is complemented by the teachings of older herders like Samuel, who teach younger boys about the importance of planned grazing and landscape recovery time.
Together, the Samburu and Grevy’s Zebra Trust are building long-term resilience to climatic and conflict shocks, laying groundwork for a sustainable peace in the region. Natalia Mroz’s Samburu Stories: Indigenous-Led Conservation in Kenya captures the beauty of northern Kenya, the scientific ingenuity of its Indigenous People, and the value of collaboration for conservation.
A warrior and Grevy’s Zebra scout, Lebaisele sets out in the early morning to scan the horizon for zebra on the Loglogo plains. Warriors, or ‘moran’ in the local language, are hired by Grevy’s Zebra Trust to monitor the health of the zebra population near their respective homes.
A Grevy’s Zebra pops its head up from grazing in Samburu. Characterised by their large fluffy ears and fine narrow stripes, the Grevy’s is one of Africa’s most endangered large mammals, with about 3000 left in the wild. They are found only in central and northern Kenya and southern and north-eastern Ethiopia.
Like all warriors, Lebaisele is privileged to wear the most elaborate of jewellery, feathers and decoration in the community, like the cow tail on his arm. His time of freedom as a warrior will last approximately 17 years, after which he is expected to marry and start a family. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust provide binoculars, cameras and GPs to all warriors who are part of the scouting teams, as well as training in literacy and data collection.
A big part of The Grevy’s Zebra Trust’s work is to empower local women, particularly widows and those from vulnerable backgrounds. Women like Jumaine Leparlero are hired as scouts. Jumaine leaves her home early each morning to search for zebra. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust provide binoculars, cameras and GPSs to all women who are part of the scouting teams, as well as training in literacy and data collection.
Grevy’s Zebra scout Susan gets close to a herd of Zebra on the Loijok plains. Over time, the zebra become familiar with the women allowing them to come close. On a daily basis, Susan will count them, assess their health, gather GPS data, and analyse any spoors and prints.
Ntimoris Lepoora jots down her daily notes on the local Grevy’s zebra population she monitors. The environmental data she and her fellow scouts gather is collated by the Grevy’s Zebra Trust to guide the Trust’s work, informing everything from anti-poaching actions to major infrastructure development decisions.
Grevy’s Zebra Trust scouts are trained in data collection and basic literacy – for most, this is the first time they have been taught to write. ‘I was illiterate when I started. I could not even hold a pen. But now I can write and operate the GPS’ says Ntimoris Lepoora.
Herders and cattle awake with the morning sun in Lerata, Samburu. Cattle are the Samburus’ most valuable asset, a source of wealth and food, but also cultural pride and significance. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust is working with herders to devise ways for wildlife and livestock to share valuable pasture, via controlled grazing which allows valuable grasses to recover.
Samuel, a warrior and herder, teaches young boys about the importance of planned grazing. The recent drought in the East Africa decimated pastures and the cattle and wildlife which depend on them. Planned grazing, where cattle graze in a defined area before moving after seven days, allows grasses to recover and grow. With the support of Grevy’s Zebra Trust, communities are building their long-term resilience to climatic shocks.
A Grevy’s Zebra foal orphaned during the recent drought in East Africa. Foals are especially vulnerable to climate shocks. Grevy’s Zebra Trust’s climate adaptation work is helping more baby zebras reach maturity by increasing the availability of pasture and water.
Mama Grevy harvests life-sustaining grass seeds, which she will use these to grow more pasture for wildlife and livestock. Traditionally, the Samburu are nomadic pastoralists, without any need or experience of agriculture. Mama Grevy, with the support of Grevy’s Zebra Trust, convinced the local community and elders about the need for ecosystem restoration work.
Mama Grevy and her team of ‘grass lands champions’ till the soil near their village. Grevy’s Zebra Trust works with Samburu villages to grow more grass meant for all animal populations. These volunteers build ditches and soil bands to counter soil erosion and harvest valuable grass seeds for planting. During the drought of the past two years, these areas have yielded life-giving grass at a time when the surrounding land was barren.
Stephen Lerte strokes orphaned zebra Tongai in Sarara, Northern Kenya. He cares for two orphaned zebras until they can be released back into the wild.
With the income she has earnt over the years from her conservation work, Mama Grevy has been able to support her children and grandchildren. Here, she stands in front of a small shop she has established in the village. The income funds the education, clothing and medical needs of her growing family.
Ngeeti Lempate and one of her grandchildren. For over ten years, she has taught her children and the community at large about the importance of conservation, which has earnt her much respect and her nick name of Mama Grevy.Back home, scout Jumaine Leparlero goes through her daily zebra monitoring notes, in a moment of quiet before her children come home from school.
Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ambassador Alois Lempesie and Lmanloros Lenangetai check the plains of Baragoi for zebra. The Baragoi area is at times a dangerous one for wildlife, sitting on the border with a rival community, the Turkana. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust works to build trust between rival groups, to create a peaceful environment where people and wildlife can thrive.
“I am an expoacher, I used to poach Grevy’s for their meat” says Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ambassador Loboruk Namulen. “I realised the importance of conserving wildlife after being employed by the Trust.”
The sun sets peacefully over the Baragoi plains in Northern Kenya, as Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ambassador Alois Lempesie performs his last scan for the day.
Samburu Stories (Historias de Samburu: Conservación Indígena en Kenia)
The sun rises over the plains at Loijok, Samburu, revealing a herd of Grevy’s Zebra grazing peacefully. These zebra share their grazing land with people, and, with the sound of approaching cattle herds, soon move to higher ground.
Para los indígenas samburu del norte de Kenia, ver cebras de Grevy cerca de sus casas es señal de paz y prosperidad. “Cuando las cebras de Grevy están aquí, sabemos que hay agua, que hay comida y que no hay peligro por parte de la gente”, afirma el embajador de Grevy’s Zebra Trust, Alois Lempesie.
La cebra de Grevy es endémica del centro y norte de Kenia y del sur y noreste de Etiopía. Es uno de los mamíferos de gran tamaño más amenazados de África, pues sólo quedan unas 3.000 en libertad. Entre las amenazas que se ciernen sobre la especie figuran la caza furtiva, los conflictos entre el hombre y la fauna salvaje y la degradación del hábitat. Entendiendo la conexión entre los pueblos indígenas y su entorno, y valorando el potencial de los pueblos indígenas para ser socios clave en la conservación, Grevy’s Zebra Trust capacita a las comunidades locales para garantizar que los animales y los ecosistemas estén protegidos de manera sostenible. En un mundo en el que con tanta frecuencia se excluye a los pueblos indígenas de sus tierras ancestrales, se les pasa por alto en los esfuerzos de conservación y se les margina en la gestión medioambiental, el planteamiento de colaboración de Grevy’s Zebra Trust sirve de ejemplo para otras iniciativas de protección de la biodiversidad.
Hombres y mujeres como Alois trabajan como exploradores de la fauna salvaje, vigilando la salud de la población de cebras de Grevy, en grave peligro de extinción, y de otras especies emblemáticas. Formados en la recogida de datos, los exploradores están equipados con cámaras, GPS y hojas de trabajo para recopilar valiosa información medioambiental. Sus registros guían el trabajo de la Fundación y sirven de base para todo tipo de actividades, desde la lucha contra la caza furtiva hasta las grandes inversiones en infraestructuras.
El cambio climático ha provocado una sequía prolongada en la región árida, lo que ha incrementado la competencia por los recursos entre la fauna salvaje, el ganado y las comunidades humanas. Las comunidades pueden encontrarse fácilmente en un círculo vicioso, cazando furtivamente para llegar a fin de mes y enfrentándose a una menor capacidad para gestionar los ecosistemas de forma sostenible. El aumento de la presión por la supervivencia, el robo de ganado y las disputas por los derechos de pastoreo y agua han provocado tensiones entre los sambura y otras tribus como los turkana. Las armas de fuego son más fáciles de conseguir, lo que intensifica las posibilidades de conflictos violentos.
Para solucionarlo, Grevy’s Zebra Trust trabaja con las aldeas samburu para cultivar más hierba destinada a todas las poblaciones animales. Campeones de las praderas como Ngeeti Lempate, un miembro muy respetado de la comunidad conocida como “Mama Grevy”, construyen zanjas y bandas de tierra para contrarrestar la erosión del suelo y cosechan valiosas semillas de hierba para plantar. Durante la sequía de los dos últimos años, estas zonas han producido hierba vivificante en un momento en que la tierra circundante era estéril. Con los ingresos que ha obtenido como empleada de conservación del Trust, Mama Grevy ha podido mantener a sus hijos y nietos. Su labor de siembra se complementa con las enseñanzas de pastores mayores como Samuel, que enseñan a los más jóvenes la importancia del pastoreo planificado y del tiempo de recuperación del paisaje.
Juntos, los Samburu y Grevy’s Zebra Trust están desarrollando una resiliencia a largo plazo frente a las perturbaciones climáticas y los conflictos, sentando las bases para una paz sostenible en la región. Historias de Samburu: Conservación indígena en Kenia, de Natalia Mroz, capta la belleza del norte de Kenia, el ingenio científico de sus pueblos indígenas y el valor de la colaboración para la conservación.
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A warrior and Grevy’s Zebra scout, Lebaisele sets out in the early morning to scan the horizon for zebra on the Loglogo plains. Warriors, or ‘moran’ in the local language, are hired by Grevy’s Zebra Trust to monitor the health of the zebra population near their respective homes.
A Grevy’s Zebra pops its head up from grazing in Samburu. Characterised by their large fluffy ears and fine narrow stripes, the Grevy’s is one of Africa’s most endangered large mammals, with about 3000 left in the wild. They are found only in central and northern Kenya and southern and north-eastern Ethiopia.
Like all warriors, Lebaisele is privileged to wear the most elaborate of jewellery, feathers and decoration in the community, like the cow tail on his arm. His time of freedom as a warrior will last approximately 17 years, after which he is expected to marry and start a family. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust provide binoculars, cameras and GPs to all warriors who are part of the scouting teams, as well as training in literacy and data collection.
A big part of The Grevy’s Zebra Trust’s work is to empower local women, particularly widows and those from vulnerable backgrounds. Women like Jumaine Leparlero are hired as scouts. Jumaine leaves her home early each morning to search for zebra. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust provide binoculars, cameras and GPSs to all women who are part of the scouting teams, as well as training in literacy and data collection.
Grevy’s Zebra scout Susan gets close to a herd of Zebra on the Loijok plains. Over time, the zebra become familiar with the women allowing them to come close. On a daily basis, Susan will count them, asses their health, gather GPS data, and analyse any spoors and prints.
Ntimoris Lepoora jots down her daily notes on the local Grevy’s zebra population she monitors. The environmental data she and her fellow scouts gather is collated by the Grevy’s Zebra Trust to guide the Trust’s work, informing everything from anti-poaching actions to major infrastructure development decisions.
Grevy’s Zebra Trust scouts are trained in data collection and basic literacy – for most, this is the first time they have been taught to write. ‘I was illiterate when I started. I could not even hold a pen. But now I can write and operate the GPS’ says Ntimoris Lepoora.
Herders and cattle awake with the morning sun in Lerata, Samburu. Cattle are the Samburus’ most valuable asset, a source of wealth and food, but also cultural pride and significance. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust is working with herders to devise ways for wildlife and livestock to share valuable pasture, via controlled grazing which allows valuable grasses to recover.
Samuel, a warrior and herder, teaches young boys about the importance of planned grazing. The recent drought in the East Africa decimated pastures and the cattle and wildlife which depend on them. Planned grazing, where cattle graze in a defined area, before moving after seven days, allows grasses to recover and grow. With the support of Grevy’s Zebra Trust, communities are building their long-term resilience to climatic shocks.
A Grevy’s Zebra foal orphaned during the recent drought in East Africa. Foals are especially vulnerable to climate shocks. Grevy’s Zebra Trust’s climate adaptation work is helping more baby zebras reach maturity by increasing the availability of pasture and water.
Mama Grevy harvests life-sustaining grass seeds, which she will use these to grow more pasture for wildlife and livestock. Traditionally, the Samburu are nomadic pastoralists, without any need or experience of agriculture. Mama Grevy, with the support of Grevy’s Zebra Trust, convinced the local community and elders about the need for ecosystem restoration work.
Mama Grevy and her team of ‘grass lands champions’ till the soil near their village. Grevy’s Zebra Trust works with Samburu villages to grow more grass meant for all animal populations. These volunteers build ditches and soil bands to counter soil erosion and harvest valuable grass seeds for planting. During the drought of the past two years, these areas have yielded life-giving grass at a time when the surrounding land was barren.
Stephen Lerte strokes orphaned zebra Tongai in Sarara, Northern Kenya. He cares for two orphaned zebras until they can be released back into the wild.
With the income she has earnt over the years from her conservation work, Mama Grevy has been able to support her children and grandchildren. Here, she stands in front of a small shop she has established in the village. The income funds the education, clothing and medical needs of her growing family.
Ngeeti Lempate and one of her grandchildren. For over ten years, she has taught her children and the community at large about the importance of conservation, which has earnt her much respect and her nick name of Mama Grevy.Back home, scout Jumaine Leparlero goes through her daily zebra monitoring notes, in a moment of quiet before her children come home from school.
Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ambassador Alois Lempesie and Lmanloros Lenangetai check the plains of Baragoi for zebra. The Baragoi area is at times a dangerous one for wildlife, sitting on the border with a rival community, the Turkana. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust works to build trust between rival groups, to creat a peaceful environment where people and wildlife can thrive.
“I am an expoacher, I used to poach Grevy’s for their meat” says Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ambassador Loboruk Namulen. “I realised the importance of conserving wildlife after being employed by the Trust.”
The sun sets peacefully over the Baragoi plains in Northern Kenya, as Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ambassador Alois Lempesie performs his last scan for the day.The sun sets peacefully over the Baragoi plains in Northern Kenya, as Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ambassador Alois Lempesie performs his last scan for the day.
Samburu Stories (Histoires de Samburu : Conservation Autochtone au Kenya)
The sun rises over the plains at Loijok, Samburu, revealing a herd of Grevy’s Zebra grazing peacefully. These zebra share their grazing land with people, and, with the sound of approaching cattle herds, soon move to higher ground.
Pour les indigènes Samburu du nord du Kenya, la présence de zèbres de Grévy près de leur maison est un signe de paix et de prospérité. “Lorsque les zèbres de Grévy sont là, nous savons qu’il y a de l’eau, de la nourriture et qu’il n’y a pas de danger”, explique Alois Lempesie, Ambassadeur du Grevy’s Zebra Trust.
Le zèbre de Grévy est endémique au centre et au nord du Kenya, ainsi qu’au sud et au nord-est de l’Éthiopie. Il s’agit de l’un des grands mammifères les plus menacés d’Afrique, puisqu’il n’en reste qu’environ 3.000 à l’état sauvage. Les menaces qui pèsent sur l’espèce comprennent le braconnage, les conflits entre l’homme et la faune et la dégradation de l’habitat. Comprenant le lien entre les peuples autochtones et leur environnement, et appréciant le potentiel des peuples autochtones en tant que partenaires clés de la conservation, le Grevy’s Zebra Trust donne aux communautés locales les moyens de veiller à ce que les animaux et les écosystèmes soient protégés de manière durable. Dans un monde où les populations autochtones sont si souvent exclues des Terres ancestrales, négligées par les efforts de préservation et marginalisées dans la gestion de l’environnement, l’approche collaborative du Trust sert d’exemple à d’autres initiatives de protection de la biodiversité.
Des hommes et des femmes comme Alois travaillent comme éclaireurs de la faune et de la flore, surveillant la santé de la population de zèbres de Grévy, très menacée, et d’autres espèces emblématiques. Formés à la collecte de données, les éclaireurs sont équipés d’appareils photo, de GPS et de feuilles de travail pour recueillir des informations précieuses sur l’environnement. Leurs enregistrements guident le travail du Trust, informant tout, des actions de lutte contre le braconnage aux investissements majeurs dans les infrastructures.
Le changement climatique a entraîné une sécheresse prolongée dans la région aride, créant une concurrence accrue entre la faune, le bétail et les communautés humaines. Les communautés peuvent facilement se retrouver dans un cercle vicieux, braconnant pour joindre les deux bouts et faisant face à une capacité réduite de gestion durable des écosystèmes. La pression accrue pour la survie, le vol de bétail et les conflits sur les droits de pâturage et d’eau ont conduit à des tensions entre les Sambura et d’autres tribus telles que les Turkana. Les armes à feu sont plus accessibles, ce qui accroît les risques de conflits violents.
Pour y remédier, le Grevy’s Zebra Trust travaille avec les villages Samburu pour faire pousser plus d’herbe destinée à toutes les populations animales. Les champions des prairies comme Ngeeti Lempate, un membre très respecté de la communauté connu sous le nom de “Mama Grevy”, construisent des fossés et des bandes de terre pour lutter contre l’érosion du sol et récolter de précieuses graines d’herbe à planter. Pendant la sécheresse des deux dernières années, ces zones ont produit de l’herbe vivifiante alors que les terres environnantes étaient stériles. Grâce aux revenus qu’elle a gagnés en tant qu’employée du Trust pour la conservation, Mama Grevy a pu subvenir aux besoins de ses enfants et petits-enfants. Son travail de plantation est complété par les enseignements de bergers plus âgés comme Samuel, qui enseignent aux jeunes garçons l’importance d’un pâturage planifié et d’un temps de récupération du paysage.
Ensemble, les Samburu et le Grevy’s Zebra Trust renforcent la résistance à long terme aux chocs climatiques et aux conflits, jetant ainsi les bases d’une paix durable dans la région. Samburu Stories: Indigenous-Led Conservation in Kenya de Natalia Mroz capture la beauté du nord du Kenya, l’ingéniosité scientifique de ses peuples indigènes et la valeur de la collaboration pour la conservation.
A warrior and Grevy’s Zebra scout, Lebaisele sets out in the early morning to scan the horizon for zebra on the Loglogo plains. Warriors, or ‘moran’ in the local language, are hired by Grevy’s Zebra Trust to monitor the health of the zebra population near their respective homes.
A Grevy’s Zebra pops its head up from grazing in Samburu. Characterised by their large fluffy ears and fine narrow stripes, the Grevy’s is one of Africa’s most endangered large mammals, with about 3000 left in the wild. They are found only in central and northern Kenya and southern and north-eastern Ethiopia.
Like all warriors, Lebaisele is privileged to wear the most elaborate of jewellery, feathers and decoration in the community, like the cow tail on his arm. His time of freedom as a warrior will last approximately 17 years, after which he is expected to marry and start a family. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust provide binoculars, cameras and GPs to all warriors who are part of the scouting teams, as well as training in literacy and data collection.
A big part of The Grevy’s Zebra Trust’s work is to empower local women, particularly widows and those from vulnerable backgrounds. Women like Jumaine Leparlero are hired as scouts. Jumaine leaves her home early each morning to search for zebra. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust provide binoculars, cameras and GPSs to all women who are part of the scouting teams, as well as training in literacy and data collection.
Grevy’s Zebra scout Susan gets close to a herd of Zebra on the Loijok plains. Over time, the zebra become familiar with the women allowing them to come close. On a daily basis, Susan will count them, asses their health, gather GPS data, and analyse any spoors and prints.
Ntimoris Lepoora jots down her daily notes on the local Grevy’s zebra population she monitors. The environmental data she and her fellow scouts gather is collated by the Grevy’s Zebra Trust to guide the Trust’s work, informing everything from anti-poaching actions to major infrastructure development decisions.
Grevy’s Zebra Trust scouts are trained in data collection and basic literacy – for most, this is the first time they have been taught to write. ‘I was illiterate when I started. I could not even hold a pen. But now I can write and operate the GPS’ says Ntimoris Lepoora.
Herders and cattle awake with the morning sun in Lerata, Samburu. Cattle are the Samburus’ most valuable asset, a source of wealth and food, but also cultural pride and significance. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust is working with herders to devise ways for wildlife and livestock to share valuable pasture, via controlled grazing which allows valuable grasses to recover.
Samuel, a warrior and herder, teaches young boys about the importance of planned grazing. The recent drought in the East Africa decimated pastures and the cattle and wildlife which depend on them. Planned grazing, where cattle graze in a defined area, before moving after seven days, allows grasses to recover and grow. With the support of Grevy’s Zebra Trust, communities are building their long-term resilience to climatic shocks.
A Grevy’s Zebra foal orphaned during the recent drought in East Africa. Foals are especially vulnerable to climate shocks. Grevy’s Zebra Trust’s climate adaptation work is helping more baby zebras reach maturity by increasing the availability of pasture and water.
Mama Grevy harvests life-sustaining grass seeds, which she will use these to grow more pasture for wildlife and livestock. Traditionally, the Samburu are nomadic pastoralists, without any need or experience of agriculture. Mama Grevy, with the support of Grevy’s Zebra Trust, convinced the local community and elders about the need for ecosystem restoration work.
Mama Grevy and her team of ‘grass lands champions’ till the soil near their village. Grevy’s Zebra Trust works with Samburu villages to grow more grass meant for all animal populations. These volunteers build ditches and soil bands to counter soil erosion and harvest valuable grass seeds for planting. During the drought of the past two years, these areas have yielded life-giving grass at a time when the surrounding land was barren.
Stephen Lerte strokes orphaned zebra Tongai in Sarara, Northern Kenya. He cares for two orphaned zebras until they can be released back into the wild.
With the income she has earnt over the years from her conservation work, Mama Grevy has been able to support her children and grandchildren. Here, she stands in front of a small shop she has established in the village. The income funds the education, clothing and medical needs of her growing family.
Ngeeti Lempate and one of her grandchildren. For over ten years, she has taught her children and the community at large about the importance of conservation, which has earnt her much respect and her nick name of Mama Grevy.Back home, scout Jumaine Leparlero goes through her daily zebra monitoring notes, in a moment of quiet before her children come home from school.
Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ambassador Alois Lempesie and Lmanloros Lenangetai check the plains of Baragoi for zebra. The Baragoi area is at times a dangerous one for wildlife, sitting on the border with a rival community, the Turkana. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust works to build trust between rival groups, to creat a peaceful environment where people and wildlife can thrive.
“I am an expoacher, I used to poach Grevy’s for their meat” says Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ambassador Loboruk Namulen. “I realised the importance of conserving wildlife after being employed by the Trust.”
The sun sets peacefully over the Baragoi plains in Northern Kenya, as Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ambassador Alois Lempesie performs his last scan for the day.The sun sets peacefully over the Baragoi plains in Northern Kenya, as Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ambassador Alois Lempesie performs his last scan for the day.
The sun rises over the plains at Loijok, Samburu, revealing a herd of Grevy’s Zebra grazing peacefully. These zebra share their grazing land with people, and, with the sound of approaching cattle herds, soon move to higher ground.
بالنسبة لسكان سامبورو الأصليين في شمال كينيا، فإن رؤية حمار وحشي غريفي بالقرب من منازلهم يعد علامة على السلام والازدهار. يقول ألويس ليمبيزي، سفير “جمعية حمار وحشي غريفي الخيرية”: “عندما تكون عائلة غريفي هنا، نعلم أن هناك ماءاً، ونعلم أن هناك طعامًا، ونعلم أنه لا يوجد خطر من الناس”. الحمار الوحشي الغريفي مستوطن في وسط وشمال كينيا وجنوب وشمال شرق إثيوبيا. إنها واحدة من أكثر الثدييات الكبيرة المهددة بالانقراض في أفريقيا، حيث لم يتبق منها سوى 0003 فقط في البرية. تشمل التهديدات التي يتعرض لها هذا النوع الصيد الجائر، والصراع بين الإنسان والحياة البرية، وتدهور البرية. من خلال فهم العلاقة بين الشعوب الأصلية وبيئتها، وتقدير إمكانية أن تكون الشعوب الأصلية شركاء رئيسيين في الحفاظ على البيئة، تعمل “جمعية حمار وحشي غريفي الخيرية” على تمكين المجتمعات المحلية لضمان حماية الحيوانات والنظم البيئية بطريقة مستدامة. في عالم يتم فيه استبعاد الشعوب الأصلية في كثير من الأحيان من أراضي أجدادها، وتجاهل جهودها في الحفاظ عليها، وتهميشها في الإدارة البيئية، يعد النهج التعاوني الذي تتبعه المؤسسة بمثابة مثال لمبادرات حماية التنوع البيولوجي الأخرى. يعمل رجال ونساء مثل ألويس كمستكشفين للحياة البرية، حيث يراقبون صحة الحمير الوحشية المعرضة بشدة للانقراض والأنواع الشهيرة الأخرى. تم تدريب الكشافة على جمع البيانات، وتم تجهيزهم بالكاميرات ونظام تحديد المواقع العالمي (GPS) وأوراق العمل لجمع المعلومات البيئية القيمة. ترشد سجلاتهم عمل الصندوق، وتبلغ عن كل شيء بدءًا من إجراءات مكافحة الصيد الجائر وحتى الاستثمارات الكبرى في البنية التحتية. وقد أدى تغير المناخ إلى جفاف طويل الأمد في المنطقة القاحلة، مما خلق منافسة أكبر على الموارد بين الحياة البرية والثروة الحيوانية والمجتمعات البشرية. يمكن للمجتمعات أن تجد نفسها بسهولة في حلقة مفرغة، حيث تقوم بالصيد الجائر لتغطية نفقاتها وتواجه قدرة متضائلة على إدارة النظم البيئية على نحو مستدام. أدى الضغط المتزايد من أجل البقاء، وسرقة الماشية، والنزاعات حول الرعي وحقوق المياه إلى توترات بين السامبورا والقبائل الأخرى مثل توركانا. أصبحت الأسلحة النارية متاحة بسهولة أكبر، مما يزيد من احتمالات نشوب صراعات عنيفة. ولمعالجة هذه المشكلة، تعمل “جمعية حمار وحشي غريفي الخيرية” مع قرى سامبورو لزراعة المزيد من العشب المخصص لجميع مجموعات الحيوانات. يقوم أبطال الأراضي العشبية مثل نجيتي ليمبات، وهي عضوة تحظى باحترام كبير في المجتمع وهي معروفة باسم “ماما غريفي”، ببناء الخنادق وشرائط التربة لمواجهة تآكل التربة وحصد بذور العشب القيمة للزراعة. خلال فترة الجفاف في العامين الماضيين، أنتجت هذه المناطق العشب الواهب للحياة في وقت كانت الأراضي المحيطة بها قاحلة. وبفضل الدخل الذي كسبته كموظفة في منظمة “جمعية حمار وحشي غريفي الخيرية”، تمكنت ماما غريفي من إعالة أطفالها وأحفادها. ويكتمل عملها في الزراعة بتعاليم الرعاة الأكبر سنًا مثل صموئيل، الذين يعلمون الأولاد الأصغر سنًا أهمية الرعي المخطط له ووقت استعادة المناظر الطبيعية. تعمل مؤسسة سامبورو و “جمعية حمار وحشي غريفي الخيرية” معًا على بناء القدرة على الصمود على المدى الطويل في مواجهة الصدمات المناخية والصراعات، مما يضع الأساس لتحقيق سلام مستدام في المنطقة. يجسد كتاب ناتاليا مروز “مشاهد سامبورو” جمال شمال كينيا، والبراعة العلمية لسكانها الأصليين، وقيمة التعاون من أجل الحفاظ على البيئة.
A warrior and Grevy’s Zebra scout, Lebaisele sets out in the early morning to scan the horizon for zebra on the Loglogo plains. Warriors, or ‘moran’ in the local language, are hired by Grevy’s Zebra Trust to monitor the health of the zebra population near their respective homes.
A Grevy’s Zebra pops its head up from grazing in Samburu. Characterised by their large fluffy ears and fine narrow stripes, the Grevy’s is one of Africa’s most endangered large mammals, with about 3000 left in the wild. They are found only in central and northern Kenya and southern and north-eastern Ethiopia.
Like all warriors, Lebaisele is privileged to wear the most elaborate of jewellery, feathers and decoration in the community, like the cow tail on his arm. His time of freedom as a warrior will last approximately 17 years, after which he is expected to marry and start a family. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust provide binoculars, cameras and GPs to all warriors who are part of the scouting teams, as well as training in literacy and data collection.
A big part of The Grevy’s Zebra Trust’s work is to empower local women, particularly widows and those from vulnerable backgrounds. Women like Jumaine Leparlero are hired as scouts. Jumaine leaves her home early each morning to search for zebra. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust provide binoculars, cameras and GPSs to all women who are part of the scouting teams, as well as training in literacy and data collection.
Grevy’s Zebra scout Susan gets close to a herd of Zebra on the Loijok plains. Over time, the zebra become familiar with the women allowing them to come close. On a daily basis, Susan will count them, asses their health, gather GPS data, and analyse any spoors and prints.
Ntimoris Lepoora jots down her daily notes on the local Grevy’s zebra population she monitors. The environmental data she and her fellow scouts gather is collated by the Grevy’s Zebra Trust to guide the Trust’s work, informing everything from anti-poaching actions to major infrastructure development decisions.
Grevy’s Zebra Trust scouts are trained in data collection and basic literacy – for most, this is the first time they have been taught to write. ‘I was illiterate when I started. I could not even hold a pen. But now I can write and operate the GPS’ says Ntimoris Lepoora.
Herders and cattle awake with the morning sun in Lerata, Samburu. Cattle are the Samburus’ most valuable asset, a source of wealth and food, but also cultural pride and significance. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust is working with herders to devise ways for wildlife and livestock to share valuable pasture, via controlled grazing which allows valuable grasses to recover.
Samuel, a warrior and herder, teaches young boys about the importance of planned grazing. The recent drought in the East Africa decimated pastures and the cattle and wildlife which depend on them. Planned grazing, where cattle graze in a defined area, before moving after seven days, allows grasses to recover and grow. With the support of Grevy’s Zebra Trust, communities are building their long-term resilience to climatic shocks.
A Grevy’s Zebra foal orphaned during the recent drought in East Africa. Foals are especially vulnerable to climate shocks. Grevy’s Zebra Trust’s climate adaptation work is helping more baby zebras reach maturity by increasing the availability of pasture and water.
Mama Grevy harvests life-sustaining grass seeds, which she will use these to grow more pasture for wildlife and livestock. Traditionally, the Samburu are nomadic pastoralists, without any need or experience of agriculture. Mama Grevy, with the support of Grevy’s Zebra Trust, convinced the local community and elders about the need for ecosystem restoration work.
Mama Grevy and her team of ‘grass lands champions’ till the soil near their village. Grevy’s Zebra Trust works with Samburu villages to grow more grass meant for all animal populations. These volunteers build ditches and soil bands to counter soil erosion and harvest valuable grass seeds for planting. During the drought of the past two years, these areas have yielded life-giving grass at a time when the surrounding land was barren.
Stephen Lerte strokes orphaned zebra Tongai in Sarara, Northern Kenya. He cares for two orphaned zebras until they can be released back into the wild.
With the income she has earnt over the years from her conservation work, Mama Grevy has been able to support her children and grandchildren. Here, she stands in front of a small shop she has established in the village. The income funds the education, clothing and medical needs of her growing family.
Ngeeti Lempate and one of her grandchildren. For over ten years, she has taught her children and the community at large about the importance of conservation, which has earnt her much respect and her nick name of Mama Grevy.Back home, scout Jumaine Leparlero goes through her daily zebra monitoring notes, in a moment of quiet before her children come home from school.
Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ambassador Alois Lempesie and Lmanloros Lenangetai check the plains of Baragoi for zebra. The Baragoi area is at times a dangerous one for wildlife, sitting on the border with a rival community, the Turkana. The Grevy’s Zebra Trust works to build trust between rival groups, to creat a peaceful environment where people and wildlife can thrive.
“I am an expoacher, I used to poach Grevy’s for their meat” says Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ambassador Loboruk Namulen. “I realised the importance of conserving wildlife after being employed by the Trust.”
The sun sets peacefully over the Baragoi plains in Northern Kenya, as Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ambassador Alois Lempesie performs his last scan for the day.The sun sets peacefully over the Baragoi plains in Northern Kenya, as Grevy’s Zebra Trust Ambassador Alois Lempesie performs his last scan for the day.
