This UNESCO World Heritage Site holds many threatened species including critically endangered black rhino, endangered Grevy’s zebra, and elephant, cheetah, lion and leopard. Its activities focus on the protection and management of species, the initiation and support of community conservation and development programmes, and the education of neighbouring areas in the value of wildlife.
Lewa’s initial population of 15 black rhino in 1984 has consistently expanded, enabling translocations to other key sites (including Borana and Sera Conservancies). The resident Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) vet assists with translocations and is also responsible for treating injured and sick animals, conducting wildlife rescues and helping to alleviate human-wildlife conflict. Due to the constant threat of poaching the rhino populations (and other wildlife) are monitored daily by field rangers.
Tusk has been a partner of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy since 1995, when we first donated funds to translocate two white rhino to Lewa. Shortly after, we funded the first wildlife relocation of 15 reticulated giraffe from Lewa to the Namunyak community conservancy in northern Kenya. Since those early days, Tusk has helped with many more wildlife translocations, including zebra, waterbuck, rhino, and elephant. The charity has also donated vehicles for the anti-poaching teams and a light aircraft to undertake important aerial surveys and provide rangers on operations with an ‘eye in the sky’. For nearly three decades Tusk has provided grants to support all aspects of Lewa’s operations, whether it be rangers’ salaries, veterinary costs, fuel, road and fence maintenance, uniforms, and rations.
Lewa is the host to Tusk’s annual Lewa Safari Marathon. Co-organised by Tusk in partnership with Lewa, this event raises over $350,000 a year for the conservancy, community development and education projects across Kenya.
Lewa is an award-winning catalyst and model for conservation in Northern Kenya. Tusk is dedicated to supporting its ongoing activities.
Image Credits: Security Ranger © Frank Af Petersen