Academic News

During the last two weeks, students and staff at CWMS went on expedition. The expeditions are used to expose students to park management activities as well as the diverse wildlife of Kenya. During the expedition our faculty, park officials, and researchers give various lectures. Various field exercises are also conducted. This session's expedition took place in Tsavo West and Chyulu Hills National Parks. On the way to the park, the group made various stops to observe and receive lectures on various conservation topics.

The first stop was at a recent lava flow where we observed and discussed the process of primary succession. The second stop for the day was at Mzima Springs where we observed and discussed the role of hippos in the ecology of the pools created by the springs. We observed hippos defecating and splashing dung which fertilized the pools and created a very rich ecosystem.

On the second day, we visited the scenic Chyulu Hills whose ownership and resource use is contested by the different stakeholders. Students were taken through the history of the dispute, the importance of the resources within the hills to the local community, and finally some of the initiatives being implemented insofar as ameliorating the existing ownership and resource use conflicts. Students were introduced to the various models of conservation and challenged to explore how conserving the entire Amboseli landscape can be achieved by applying alternative models of conservation instead of the national park model which Kenya currently uses. In addition to identifying wildlife and conducting various exercises, students also had a discussion that explored their ideas on how conservation challenges in the Amboseli ecosystem could be resolved.

Immediately after returning from expedition, students embarked on Directed Research (DR). The research serves as an important training tool in which students learn how to design a research project and collect data, analyze it and write a scientific paper. We also use the DR for gathering important conservation data aimed at achieving objectives set forth in the SFS Kenya five year research plan. This summer, the topics under investigation are: the status and resource use of key critical swamps in the group ranch wildlife dispersal areas; assessment of local population dynamics in relation to natural resource conservation, and the extent and intensity of bush meat poaching in the Maasai group ranches within the Tsavo-Amboseli ecosystem. The data collection phase took four days and for the remaining part of the program, they will go through analysis and report writing. Dr. Simon K. Seno, Center Director

Student Reflections

There are definitely things about Kenya that shock my first world sensibilities: roads so rough they'll rattle your teeth right out of your head, pit choos (toilets), the rather strange smell of towns and settlements in general, walking on about a meter of ancient cow dung, goat bone stew, having to avoid being mangled by man eating lions - the list could go on. However, having the opportunity to interact one-on-one (or maybe two-on-one when you count your trusty Maasai guide) with people here in their own homes and talk with them about actual issues that they deal with on a day-by-day basis, brings my pampered American self straight back down to earth... to a seat on that pile of ancient cow dung, drinking a cup of chai tea with a Mama and laughing with her as she tries to decipher my broken Ki'Swahili. Thanks to the people I've been able to spend time with, my life here has been charmed. Following their example, I've adopted that tried and true Kenyan lifestyle of hakuna matata. So, bring on the giant spiders, I've got no more worries. Michelle Roy, Queens University

Living beneath the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro these past few weeks has been truly a mind opening experience. In preparing to come here I honestly didn't know what to expect. All I knew was that this would be an adventure of a life time. I was not wrong. I have seen and experienced so much, like going into a real Maasai boma and truly experiencing their culture way more than a normal tourist would. In doing our DRs we are learning ways to help the community and see just how interconnected the people and the wildlife are in this area. Due to our education here, when we go out into the field or to the lodges our experience is so much more. We now see almost all the sides of the story and now can truly appreciate the value of both the people and the wildlife who bring the entire experience together. Oh yeah, having my Land Cruiser charged by a Tsavo man eater was awesome! Robert "Rob" Davis, University of Texas - Permian Basin

On our drive to the field today we saw a stunning view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Not a cloud covered the mountain, and it was beautiful! The landscape here is breathtaking; everywhere there are green acacias, gorgeous views, and interesting animals. During this last week we have conducted our field research through social surveys in the surrounding area. We spend most of the day out in the field, visiting different small farms and traditional Maasai bomas, as well as interviewing local people about area conservation initiatives. In several of the traditional Maasai homes, people invited us in to have tea. I was reminded of North Carolina's “southern hospitality,” where people usually ask visitors to sit and have tea or a slice of pie. Although so many aspects of Kenya are very different from my home, the friendliness of the people is a common thread that has made my time here incredibly enjoyable! Lauren Thie, Meredith College

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