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.