I moved to Westgate Community Conservancy in May 2008, and set up the Ewaso Lions Camp here. Westgate is a community owned and managed group ranch, where local communities, their livestock and wildlife all live together. It is a stunning area and is adjacent to Samburu.
View of Westgate
The goal of Westgate is to “… develop a platform for the Samburu pastoralist community living within the Group Ranch to reduce poverty levels through integrated eco-friendly tourist activities and conservation” (source: Northern Rangelands Trust website).
Within the conservancy, there is a small Conservation Area. Every morning and evening I drive in the area, recording all wildlife that I see along set routes along the river. The Conservation Area is only 2 years old but wildlife numbers have increased as a result of the dedicated West Gate scouts who put so much time and effort into working here. It is a small area – but there is much to see. Over the past few months I have been delighted to record lions, leopards (this is where we saw leopard cannibalism), hyenas, and even a caracal!
Scanning the Conservation Area
More views of the Conservation Area
There are many challenges here though…the area surrounding the Conservation Area has a lot of livestock especially across the river in Isiolo District. The Conservation Area is under intense pressure from the livestock and local communities who are seeking new pastures especially now with the drought. The area is a small paradise for wildlife…the bush is thick, there is wild prey, there are plenty of places to hide and it is a place where animals now feel safe.
The West Gate community scouts and the Ewaso Lions team are working hard to ensure that animals continue to feel safe here and are well protected.
There is a special animal who calls this little Conservation Area her home. Do read my next blog to find out who she is…