Enhancing Climate Resilience: People and Wildlife

We're writing to provide you with an update on the Enhancing Climate Resilience: People and Wildlife project you so generously support.

In our last update, we shared that the impacts of the floods in April had been felt across the conservancy, especially at Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary where we care for and rehabilitate 30 rescued chimpanzees, many of who are victims of the illegal pet trade. 

The April floods were a formidable force, wreaking havoc upon Ol Pejeta. Fences were breached, endangering the lives of wildlife, including chimpanzees, rhinos, and countless other species. Heartbreakingly, giraffes, buffaloes, and gazelles were swept away by the relentless waters.

The safety of our chimpanzee family was a paramount concern. To protect them from the compromised fences surrounding Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, we were forced to relocate them indoors. While this ensured their immediate safety, it disrupted their natural routines and limited their access to their beloved habitat.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of our dedicated teams, we're thrilled to announce that the chimpanzees have been reunited with their outdoor sanctuary. 

The repair process was a complex undertaking. Over 50 posts and metal poles were used to reinforce the chimpanzee enclosure, a crucial step in ensuring their safety. Our chimpanzee family has already settled back into their routine, and we've even treated them to a new termite mound for added enrichment.

Other important infrastructure upgrades include over six kilometres of fencing that have been repaired, and a new 250-meter fence has been constructed to protect rhinos from future flood risks. Essential road repairs, totalling 15 kilometres, have also been completed to ensure continued access to our teams and vital supplies.

Our wildlife conservation and infrastructure teams have turned their attention to the future, assessing long-term management strategies and identifying how to prevent floods from inflicting this level of destruction and disruption again. This includes completing an additional 10 kilometres to build a more resilient future.

Your support has been a lifeline during these challenging times. As we continue to rebuild and strengthen our conservation efforts, we invite you to remain a part of our mission. Your ongoing generosity will help us protect wildlife and mitigate the effects of climate change for generations to come.

We are writing to provide an update on the Enhancing Climate Resilience: People and Wildlife project, made possible by your generous support.

The devastating impacts of climate change have been starkly evident at Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Once again, we find ourselves facing the consequences of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. The region has experienced unprecedented weather patterns, shifting from a prolonged drought to severe flooding in just a few months highlighting the urgent need for climate resilience.

After enduring 20 months of below-average rainfall, we welcomed the return of much-needed precipitation in late 2023. However, the extraordinary rainfall in April and May caused widespread flooding across the conservancy. The Ewaso Nyiro river burst its banks, inundating our chimpanzee enclosures and many roads became impassable. 

Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary was particularly hard hit by the flooding. We estimate that approximately 30% of the area became unusable for much of the May. The damaged fences necessitated housing the chimpanzees in smaller enclosures, leading to increased tension and occasional aggression within the group.

While the devastating floods caused significant challenges, there have been some positive outcomes. The abundant rainfall has revitalized our grasslands, attracting a diverse array of wildlife. These positive signs of ecological recovery are a testament to the resilience of our ecosystem.

The coming months will be busy as we work diligently to restore our infrastructure and ensure the long-term sustainability of Ol Pejeta - your continued belief in our mission is invaluable as we navigate these challenging times.

We are optimistic about the future and grateful for your partnership.