SFS Wildlife Management Studies

  Kenya

Rural

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer 

Description: Our research focuses on exploring innovative ways in which Kenya's wildlife can be both conserved and utilized as an income source to benefit the local community. Identifying appropriate land-use practices that enable local Maasai and other residents to maximize and sustain production without degradation of the environment is equally important.

The diverse habitat surrounding our Kilimanjaro Bush Camp is used by wildlife as a migration corridor between Tsavo, Chyulu, and Amboseli National Parks. The Maasai also depend upon this same area as a communal grazing zone for livestock as well as for growing food. As a result, they often face economic hardship due to crop damage and loss of livestock inflicted by migrating wildlife. Student interviews with local Maasai help us gather data and gain a perspective on the priorities and challenges of addressing wildlife conservation among resource-constrained communities. Students also learn about ecological and land-use characterization of the area. Student research is a critical first step in developing integrated land-use strategies that will enable residents to derive optimal benefits from their land and forestall additional fragmentation of key wildlife areas.

While based at our National Park Camp, students focus on management strategies for Kenya's oldest and most profitable national park. Increased development around Nairobi National Park threatens its biological integrity and has led to the precipitous decline of large mammal populations, tipping the balance of the entire ecosystem. Pollution and climate change threaten the already strained water supply and play a role in the mortality of numerous birds and animals. Increased human and livestock populations in areas surrounding the park are leading to intensified human/wildlife conflicts, including disease, predation, and destruction of crops by migrating wildlife. SFS students are assisting the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and managers of the park through a suite of research projects including: vegetation mapping; grazing and browsing impact surveys; large mammal population counts and distributions; educational facility upgrades; and human impact in the park.

Highlights: Live in close proximity to wildlife and local Maasai communities on an African savanna. Learn to speak Swahili. Learn about East African tribal culture. Explore human/wildlife conflicts from the perspective of the Maasai and park managers. Research ways to preserve traditional Maasai culture and wildlife viability.

Cost in US$: Inquire for more info.

Experience Required: no

Participants Travel to Kenya in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 4 (32 on-site)

Scholarships are Available. - SFS scholarships up to 6K; Low and 0% interest loans

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

The School for Field Studies's Mission Statement: The School for Field Studies (SFS), an accredited, international non-profit academic institution, provides environmental education and conducts research through its field-based programs. SFS is committed to providing: *Hands-on, field-based interdisciplinary education *Environmental research in partnership with natural resource dependent communities. Our goals are to: *Provide students with a unique and challenging educational and life experience that assists them in successfully advancing their careers as skilled professionals and globally aware citizens; *Work with local community stakeholders to develop models for the sustainable management of their natural resources.

Year Founded: 1980