Kilimanjaro: Elephant and wildlife protection

Since the beginnings of time, elephant herds regularly migrate in the Masai Steppe, in Sinya (the Soiuth of Amboseli National Park) in so called "corridors" (old elephant paths). In the past years, illegal and legal farmland has been established in these elephant corridors run by Meru and Masai people. Historically, the Masai lived here as nomads. The proximity of wildlife and humans leads to conflicts - also here. In the 700 square km Sinya area, p(e)d's project partner, the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), researches behavior and migrations paths with the objective of animal security. AWF also buys land back which is crossed by elephant corridors. The local team, 20 wildlife rangers under Project Leader Alfred Kikoti, are also engaged in counter poaching activity. However, AWF has only a very limited budget. Since the Sinya area is not an official national park, government money is not available. The anti poaching activities are constantly under financed. p(e)d is engaged in the short term to support equipment and cars for the rangers. In the medium term, a program to fund 5 to 10 further rangers and their required equipment. Specifically p(e)d supports: - Ranger equipment (for example uniforms and boots), - Training of rangers, specifically monitoring (AWF and Alfred Kikoti), - Upkeep of ranger posts, - Operating costs for vehicles used in protection and monitoring activities, - Acquisition of new vehicles.