COVID-19 has drastically affected the outlook for conservation in Kenya by closing its border to tourism. At Enonkishu, in northern Mara, tourism accounts for the majority of operating costs, resulting in a shortfall of USD 150,000 in 2020 for essential operations. This crisis has come when the wildlife is more vulnerable than ever from encroachment, bushmeat hunting and retaliation from human-wildlife conflict! Iconic Mara wildlife is at risk! Please help us keep the conservation effort alive.
During its six years of operation, Enonkishu has followed a path to become sustainable with projections including the increased revenue from tourism. However, COVID-19 has presented an unforeseen challenge of severely depleting the tourism market in Kenya. Our loyal employees including herders and rangers are taking the hit, resigning to receiving half wages until we can recover from the effects of the pandemic, but the future is uncertain and we must gain global support for conservation.
Your support is crucial to fill the gap of what would be revenue from tourism. It will allow us to continue to monitor the ecosystem's progress and keep the wildlife safe on the edge of the Mara ecosystem. Donations will enable us to return to regular operations by supporting local Maasai members and the neighboring communities of conservancies. Your contribution is the most valuable thing you can do to protect the iconic Mara ecosystem.
The resounding effect of the recovery of Enonkishu Conservancy will be its continued conservation benefits to local people. The Maasai rely on the conservancy to pay school fees for their children and maintain their livelihoods. Conservation has an amazing pool of supporters that can help us carry on, demonstrating holistic management and the utilization of grazing plans to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems. Without donor support, the impact of Enonkishu's demonstrated progress is at risk.
