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Mara
Conservation |
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 The
Mara has a strong but vulnerable eco system with thousands of tourists
annually visiting the reserve , putting immense pressures on the environment.
Conservation in the Mara is of paramount importance, and has been targetted
at preservation of the wildlife, environment, land issues, human-wildlife
conflicts and tourist practises.
Like most third world countries, Kenya has growing land pressure issues
with the increasing population ever searching for more land to live and
cultivate on. The Mara has it's share of land-animal-population conflict.
This is one conservative issue being taken up by the government, relevant
conservation bodies and NGO's.
Funds are a major issue when it comes to conservation and often, organisations
involved in conservation, both locally and overseas, donate towards projects
which support projects. Part of the entry fees paid by tourists entering
the reserve goes toward conservation while part also goes to surrounding
community development projects.
Thankfully, poaching has had a lesser effect in the Mara than it has had
on other parks such as the Tsavo, and it has been effectively controlled
by the efforts of the park rangers , the government and the those of many
well wishers through their contributions in cash or kind. For tourists
to the Mara, here are some tips on ensuring you contribute to the conservation
of this wonderful environment. |
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| Tips
on conservation for visitors to the Mara: |
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| Off
Road Driving: This refers to the practice of driving
vehicles off the main tracks, in pursuit of closer views of the wildlife.
This practice has been banned and is punishable with hefty fines and/or
expulsion from the park. However, the reserve is too large for effective
supervision, and visitors would be well informed to prevent their tour
drivers from attempting to flout the rules. |
| Noise
/ Speed Limits: Similarly, speed limits while driving through
the reserve are to be strictly followed. Speediing vehicles cause disturbance
to the animals, damage the tracks, and raise dust storms during the dry
season. Noise should also be kept to a minimum, as it is disturbing to
the wildlife and may prevent them from leading their normal existence.
Carnivores, for example, are unable to hunt for their young when there
is any noisy disturbance surrounding them. |
| Feeding
the Animals: This is strictly prohibited and visitors
are requested not to attempt this practice. This is partly because artificially
feeding animals in the wild is unnatural and can alter their feeding habits
to their own detriment, and also due to the inherent danger of exposing
one self to attack by the animals when actually feeding them even through
a partly open window of a vehicle. |
| Respect
the environment and the wildlife:
Litter should be disposed off in a responsible manner and the animals
should always be given the right of way. Their privacy should be guarded
just as much as you would like your personal rights to be protected. Please
keep in mind that the animals live in the wild just as we live in our
own houses. |
| Purchasing
illegal Animal products or remains: It is prohibited
by the law to trade in any protected wildlife products such as feathers,
hides, bones or other such items, unless specific items are confirmed
to be under exemption. Please report to the authorities, the park warden
or your tour driver, in case you are offered such items for purchase. |
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| The
Future: |
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| The most significant problem
facing the Mara today is the sustainability of the reserve in relation
to the volume of tourist activity in the recent years. There are more
lodges in the Mara than in any other park or national reserve in Kenya,
or East Africa. With a reserve area that is not increasing, and a limited
, fragile population of wild animals, it might become necessary to regulate
the activity in the reserve. |
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