In the heart of the Great Rift Valley: a story of unity and conservation

In Kenya there is a special reserve, where communities of shepherds and farmers who were once at war now coexist peacefully for the protection of giraffes. Thanks to them, with the birth of a protected reserve, peace and unity now reign

Set on the eastern shores of Kenya’s Lake Baringo, it is a wildlife reserve with a unique story rooting back to unity and peace-all in the name of giraffe conservation.

These incredible creatures have brought harmony to an area that for a long period had been synonymous with conflicts between two ethnic groups, the Pokot and the Chamus. The clashes made the community elders look for peaceful solutions, and a decade later, they reached a cooperative agreement. But how did that happen?

The role of Rothschild’s giraffe

It used to be home and the habitat for the Rothschild’s giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis ssp. rothschildi), which is a subspecies of giraffes now in the endangered list. However, these areas have seen a decline in population over the years due to poaching and other related pressures.

The Ruko Community Conservancy was formed in 2008 with the hope of reintroducing an initial population of these herbivores. The project required active participation between both ethnic groups if the project were to pay off.

A common cause in conservation

James Cheptulel, the reserve manager, assembled a team composed of the different stakeholders and in 2012 they got eight Rothschild’s giraffes from Soysambu Conservancy. The Giraffes were transported by barge-a symbol of the collaborative desire between the Pokot and Chamus communities

In his mind, Cheptulel still remembers that day as a celebration, one when old rivalries were allowed to fade into memory:

“We sang, we celebrated, and the elders blessed the giraffes. All of us, both Chamus and Pokot, came together to celebrate that the giraffes were finally back in Baringo.”

In fact, the mission was universally felt. Members from either ethnic group would always ask for an update on the animals, sitting with rangers to discuss the next steps.

“The giraffes gave us a visual symbol of conservation. The sense of responsibility was unifying: the stakes were high, and we all knew we had to keep these giraffes alive. There was a feeling that it was everyone’s task, not just the rangers or the manager, but the entire community.”

A future in their hands

These giraffes brought the community together, creating new possibilities as the first tourists started to arrive, anxious to witness the Ruko Community Conservancy. By protecting these herbivores, peace and cooperation now flourish, moving them further ahead in efforts to protect the wildlife.

Today, with organizations such as Save the Giraffes Now, more Rothschild’s giraffes are finding safe haven within this reserve.

Save the Giraffes Now, more Rothschild’s giraffes have found a safe haven within the reserve.

Source: BCCA