Samburu Regional Initiative: Make a Difference on Your Next Vacation

One of the oldest struggles in human history is the one between humans and wildlife. Both need access to the same resources and both do what they have to in order to survive. Unfortunately, this struggle is one that wildlife is losing by a landslide, especially in areas where resources like land, water and food are short. One of the areas that is experiencing problems with human-wildlife conflicts is the Samburu Region of Kenya. Fortunately, there is an amazing volunteer program that is helping the local people to find solutions to their wildlife conflicts that will preserve the biological diversity of the area and help produce a sustainable ecosystem for all to live in.

Samburu Regional Initiative

The Samburu Regional Initiative is an Earthwatch expedition that is reaching out to the people of the Samburu region to help them understand the importance of biological diversity, and to help them develop sustainability programs that all will benefit from. There are two main goals of this program, (1) to help preserve the traditional ways of the Samburu people and (2) to find solutions for wildlife conflicts.

Carnivores in Conflict

There are three different projects tied to the Samburu Regional Initiative. The first project is the Carnivores in Conflict. This project is headed b y Dr. Samuel Andanje and Dr. William Ogara. This project is studying Kenya's six primary predators: lions, wild dogs, cheetahs, spotted hyenas and striped hyenas. If you select this project you will study these amazing large predators, visit villages, investigate kill sites and work towards reducing conflicts between livestock herders and the predators.

Medicinal Plants

If you are more interested in the culture of the Samnburu people, then you will want to sign up for the Medicinal plants project. This project is lead by Dr. Callistus Ogol and Dr. Isaiah Ndiege. Activities you can help with include learning about medicinal plants, documenting their use and helping to develop water purification systems for the local villages.

Saving Kenya's Endangered Zebra