northern kenya, laikipia, laikipia conservation, kenya ecology, kenya natural history, tumaren, tumaren ranch
 

Tumaren

Ecology and Conservation Observations in Laikipia, Kenya

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Beginnings

Category: Introduction | Date: Oct 02 2006 | By: admin


In early 2006 my wife, Kerry Glen and I purchased a 3000 acre property in Laikipia adjacent to the Ewaso Nyiro River.  The ranch, which we named Tumaren (dragonfly in Masai), is now dedicated exclusively to the conservation of wildlife.  Since June, with the help of six rangers that we have hired, we have been patrolling the property, removing snares, and counting game. 

tumaren1.jpg
 
  Tumaren, like the larger Ewaso eco-system is rich in game.  We have large populations of Gerenuk, Impala, Steinbuck, Common Zebra, Grevy’s Zebra, Elephant, Grant’s Gazelle and Dikdiks and smaller populations of Lesser Kudu, Thompson Gazelle, Eland, Hyena, Bat-eared Fox, Reticulated Giraffe, Hartebeest, Leopard, Cheetah, Lion and Wilddog.
The Laikipia Plateau is a spectacular part of Northern Kenya where visitors can experience a great diversity of wild animals and landscapes.  With the highest diversity of large mammals in Kenya, the second largest population of elephant in Kenya, most of the worlds Grevy’s Zebra, and 50 percent of all the Rhinos in the country; it is an understatement to say that Laikipia is of a great conservation significance.  This ecological value as well as the fact  that Laikipia is an unprotected area, predominantly in private ownership was the impetus for me to begin this blog.  I intend to focus the musings of this blog on Tumaren and the conservation challenges that the area is confronted with  but I would also like to include natural history notes and bits and bobs of ecological interest.  We are always looking for knowledgeable people when it comes to the identification of insects and obscure plants and I invite participation when it comes to deciphering the ecology as well as the conservation of our little part of Africa.

4 Responses to “Beginnings”

Michael Smith, on 08 Dec 2006

I found this post whilst Googling “Kerry Glen.” Congratulations on your marriage! Please let Kerry know that Michael and Heather Smith are thinking about her. She led us on an Ewaso River hike for about eight days in September 1998 just after we were married. We’ll never forget calling Kerry from Texas the morning of our departure for Africa and hearing her mother call through the house for her.

William Wachira George, on 09 Feb 2007

I am a resident of Laikipia and also a GIS specialist. I have worked withw various organizations In Laikipia like CETRAD, Mpala, KWS and NAREDA. Am an Ardent believer in wlid life conservation.

Currently am in Southern Sudan for a small GIS assignment.

I would wish to join you so that i share my experience in advance ment of what you are doing

Thanks

William Wachira George, on 09 Feb 2007

CURRICULUM VITAE

Name: William Wachira George
Date of birth: 30th June 1966
Sex: Male
ID Card No.: 5925299
Nationality: Kenyan
Marital Status: Married
Languages: English, Kiswahili, Kikuyu (All spoken and written)
Religion: Christian
Computer knowledge: Windows NT, Windows 95 (Office 97) Ms-Word, Ms-Excel,
Ms-Powerpoint, Corel Draw, Havard Graphics, Arc/Info 8.0
Arc/info NT, PC Arc/info, ArcView 3.2a, Idrisi, Map info,ArcGIS.
Address: P.O.Box 1503, Nanyuki
Telephone: Mobile: 0722-332679
Email wachirawilly@yahoo.com
EDUCATION BACKGROUND AND OTHER TRAINNING
2005 Graduate Diploma in Remote Sensing, Image Analysis and mapping from
Environmental Systems Research Institute Virtual Campus – Redlands USA

2001 Diploma in Geographic Information Systems and Information Technology (IT)
from Institute of Geography University of Bern Switzerland.
2000 Certificate in Arc/Info 8.0, Arcview 3.2a, and Photo interpretation, Project Planning in Geographic Information Systems, through University of Bern and Survey Department Canton of Luzern, Zurich, Switzerland

1999 Advanced Certificate Training in GIS – Arc/Info NT Arcview 3.1.1 3D Analyst, Spatial Analyst, Network Analyst and Information Technology and Windows NT, LAN accessories through the Centre for Development and Environment, Institute of Geography, University of Bern Switzerland.

1997 Cartography and Design – Under the University of Nairobi Department of Urban and Regional Planning.

1996 Certificate in Geographical Information Systems – PC Arc/Info, Arcview, Indrisi, Image Processing, Remote Sensing, Spatial Data analysis, and Map production. Database Management and Data analysis. Sponsored by Laikipia Research Programme under the umbrella of University of Bern Switzerland and University of Nairobi.

ICRAF Geographic Information Systems Laboratory for Practical Training on
mapping and photo interpretation.

1994 On job training on Computer maintenance and Software handling.
Trained Geographical Positioning Systems organized by Trimble Navigation International.

1988-89 Diploma in Personnel Management from Mombasa Institute of Personnel
Training and Consultancy then Attachment/Part time Marine and Fisheries
Research Institute(a human resources management course)

1986-87 A-Levels Khamis High School – Mombasa ( KACE 2 Principals 1Sub.)

1985 Karima High School Othaya (KCE Division II, 24 Points)

1981-1984 Kiangoma Secondary School Mukurweini

1974 – 1980 Munyange Primary School (CPE 32 Points).

WORK EXPERIENCE
2006 Worked for The Norwegian People’s Aid as a GIS Consultant in Southern
Sudan in Community Resources Management and Planning Project. Main task was mapping of Resources – Natural resources for purposes of community based resource mapping & planning.
2005 I was contracted by Development Office of Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi to do mapping on the proposed projects in readiness for implementation.

2004-05 Participated in Naibunga Natural resource planning assignment. The project over all goal was land use planning, where 43,000 hectares were set aside for conservancy programme.

2004-05 Hired by Natural Resources Development Agency (NAREDA) as the deputy head GIS section, In charge of resource mapping and GIS data analysis.

2004 Working on Consultancy basis for the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret. Main task being to Map all the facilities, deaneries & parishes within the ecclesiastical boundaries of the diocese and establishing a GIS based database as a planning tool.
2003 Mapping of Human – Elephant Conflict Zone in Laikipia for the establishment of Ewaso Incident Reporting System (EIRS)
Developed a Crop Raiding Response method for Laikipia Meru & Samburu.

2003 Invited by Egerton University Department of Geography to revive their GIS facility and to make an introduction to new users on GIS ( part-time trainer)

2003 Mapping landuse and land cover in the context of alleviating human-wildlife conflict from a GIS perspective by defining the geographic context of the conflict zone in spatially explicit format. USAID funded project for Mpala Research Trust

2002/03 Was contracted by Nakuru Catholic Diocese to map all the deaneries and parishes and their boundaries and hence compile a comprehensive report for the same. GPS location of all the projects that fall under the CDN e.g., Water, health facilities, schools, small homes, churches.
Establishing a digital database at CDN.

2002 Project area mapping for Kenya Drought Animal Technology in Mwea, Machakos-Kalama division, Kiambu-Lari division Kajiando District-Ngurumani division and Busia district

2000/2001 Joined the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Project in Kitale as a GIS
Consultant, Database Manager and trainer in Geographic Information Systems.

Compiled a report and landcover map of Mt Elgon Ecosystem and eventual analysis for vegetation categories of Mt. Elgon forest, Mt. Elgon National Reserve and Mt. Elgon National Park
Mapped all the infrastructures in Mt. Elgon National Park and the National
Reserve

Trained staff from Kenya Wildlife Service and Forest Department attached toMt. Elgon Integrated Conservation and Development Project in mapping and analysis of vegetation cover categories using Geographic Information Systems for conservation purposes

1999 Fence mapping for KWS Eastern Region – Cobra Project
Did mapping for lion distribution in Laikipia District for Lion Project of Behavioral Research University of California
Official for the Nanyuki International Camel Derby
Responsible for setting up Geographic Information Systems facility at the Department of Geography University of Nairobi
Prepared baseline map for GTZ and UNDP Projects in Kitui and Mwingi Districts

1999 Trainer for University of Nairobi Geography Department technicians in Geographic Information Systems.
Setting up and restructuring Laikipia Research Programme Database Participated in preparation of the Eastern and Southern African Geographical Journal
Prepared Planning map for Lonrho Agri-business (Sotik Tea Estates) through
Rural Focus Limited
Did mapping of Elephant Dispersal routes for KWS EU Elephant Programme for KWS Eastern Region.

1998 Was selected as a Judge for Mt. Kenya ASK Show.

1996 Did Spatial analysis and mapping for wildlife distribution and movement in the Samburu/Laikipia Ecosystem for Mpala Research Centre–Nanyuki.(Cobra Project)

1995 Participated in wildlife count in the Samburu / Laikipia Ecosystem for Mpala
Research Centre – Nanyuki.(Cobra Project)

1994 Joined the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Laboratory in Laikipia
Research Programme

1995 – 1996 Updated the Landuse map for Laikipia District using the GIS facility.
Updated the District Administrative Units Map.
Geo-referenced all infrastructural facilities in Laikipia District and part of the Upper Ewaso Ng’iro river basin (Isiolo, Samburu, part of Nyandarua, Nyeri and Meru.

1994 Joined the Geographic Information Systems Laboratory in Laikipia Research Programme as a GIS Technician.

1993 Research Assistant attached to the Liaison Officer – Laikipia Research Programme.
Team Leader – Water Supply Inventory Survey team, charged with updating of an earlier inventory conducted in 1990, by Laikipia Research Programme in collaboration with Department of Water Development.

1992 Took part in an Impact Monitoring for Laikipia Rural Development Programme sponsored projects in Laikipia Distrct. Guided Master’s and Phd students data collection and eventual analysis.

1991 Participated in overview surveys of various areas of Laikipia District where several studies were to be carried out either as Master’s or Phd Programmes by students from University of Nairobi and University of Bern – Switzerland.

1990 Research Assistant – Laikipia Research Programme.
Participated in District Water Inventory survey for Laikipia District.
Participated in the study on the performance of Central Places in Laikipia District.
Was in charge of the team from Laikipia Research Programme that participated in a collaborative survey with Kenya Energy Non-Governmental Organization on Women and Fuel wood in West Laikipia and Trans-Nzoia District, Kwanza Division.

1988 Geography/History teacher – Kenyatta high School – Mahiga.
Othaya Divisional Secondary Schools Sports Organizer.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Head of Section & trainer; Geographical Information Systems (GIS)– Laikipia Research Programme. Database incharge; Laikipia Research Programme.

• Geographic Information Systems Head/Consultant and Database Incharge, Mount Elgon Integrated Conservation and Development Project - IUCN (World Conservation Union) Kitale.
• Member of the Management Planning Team for IUCN-Mt. Elgon Project.

• GIS Consultant, Catholic Diocese of Nakuru, Eldoret and Archdiocese of Nairobi Kenya Drought Animal Technology (KENDAT)

• Setting up a GIS facility / lab for Catholic Diocese of Nakuru

• Team leader Human – Elephant Conflict zone exercise Mpala Research Centre (a USAID Project)

• Head of Nareda GIS in charge of Mapping and data analysis.

HOBBIES
Games – Tae-Kwon-Do and football
Travelling to the country side and reading journals and other reports on research work

REFEREES

Nick Georgeadis, Phd
Director
Mpala Research Centre
Tel 062-32572/32758
Nanyuki

Bonface Kiteme
Director
Centre for Training & Research in ASAL Development
Box 144
Tel. (062)31328
Nanyuki

Martin Kamau Gitau
Programmes Coordinator
Natural Resouces and Development Agency
P.O. Box 1203
Nanyuki
Email: naredacons@africaonline.co.ke

James, on 15 Mar 2007

Dear Michael,
So sorry that we have been so delayed in responding. We have been on a series of safaris and even today we are packing for a trip to the Mathews Range. I think that Kerry has written to you. Anyway, I know she wishes you both the best and I can’t imagine the terror of hearing a mother call for her daughter guide the night before embarking on a honeymoon safari.
Cheers, James Christian

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