“This scholarship has helped me understand that protecting the environment requires both knowledge and practical action.” The Fran Duthie African Elephant Conservation Scholarship continues to support young Kenyans as they build the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to the future of conservation. Sarah Loiman is a second-year Environmental Science student at Kenyatta University, where she is developing her understanding of environmental conservation and sustainable natural resource management. For Sarah, one of the biggest highlights of being a Fran Duthie Scholar has been the opportunity to continue her education while gaining practical experience beyond the classroom. Through field activities including tree planting, environmental clean-ups, and soil sampling, Sarah has been able to connect what she learns in class with real environmental challenges. The experience has also strengthened her interest in environmental research and conservation. Looking ahead, Sarah hopes to advance her education, develop her research skills, and contribute to conservation and sustainable resource management in her community. For Sarah, the journey is already shifting from learning about conservation to actively taking part in it, building the skills and experience she hopes to carry into her future career. @ElephanaticsBC

Sometimes, a few minutes can make all the difference, especially when an agitated bull elephant is involved! Found inside a fenced settlement in Lemek, the bull needed to be guided out to reduce the risk of damage or injuries while also helping keep him safe. Mara Elephant Project rangers teamed up with Mara North Conservancy rangers, deploying a drone to help guide the bull out of the settlement and towards a safe exit point along the fence. But when he reached the fence, he wasn’t taking any chances. The bull carefully tested the fence, checking whether it carried an electric charge. Rangers watched as he approached, tested it, and tested again before finally deciding it was safe to cross. In situations like this, every minute matters. A rapid response gives rangers the chance to manage the situation before it escalates, helping keep both people and elephants safe.

Wildlife habitat is disappearing. What if protecting it started with your herd? Across the Mara, communities and Mara Elephant Project rangers are doing their part every day to protect forests, elephants and the landscapes they share. Now it’s your turn. This #WorldHabitatDay, start your own fundraiser for Mara Elephant Project and rally your friends and family to help protect vital elephant habitat. It only takes a few simple clicks to get started. Ready to rally your herd? 1. Visit bit.ly/rally-your-herd-for-m… 2. Click “Register Now” and choose to fundraise solo or as a team. 3. Enter your info and you’re ready to go! You’ll get your very own MEP fundraising page that you can easily share with friends and family on social media, inviting them to donate and join you in protecting elephant habitat. Together, we’re working to raise $10,000 for habitat protection. Start your fundraiser. Rally your herd. Protect the Mara. bit.ly/rally-your-herd-for-m…

Monitoring a herd of 70 elephants in an area with high levels of human-elephant conflict requires more than just tracking their location, it’s also critical to visually confirm their wellbeing. Collared elephant Fitz and his herd are known to move into community farms around Nyekweri Forest, making frequent monitoring by Mara Elephant Project rangers necessary. Deploying their drone to get clear images of the elephants, even when they are spread out across the forest, helps our rangers look for injuries and note important details like herd size. Supported by @AngamaSafari, Fitz has been tracked since 2019, allowing @KWSKenya, @WRTIKenya and MEP to support the community with data-informed rapid respond that promotes coexistence. For Fitz and his herd, having eyes in the sky helps us keep a closer watch from a safe distance.

This bull elephant was suffering from a spear in his side. And the spear’s location next to crucial organs meant immediate veterinary treatment was crucial. The Mara is currently in its dry season, pushing elephants closer to settlement areas in search of food and water. People living alongside wildlife are also doing what they can to protect their families, crops, homes and livelihoods. These encounters can be dangerous for everyone involved, and sometimes they can result in serious injuries like this one. Mara Elephant Project rangers assisted Mara North Conservancy rangers, Anne K. Taylor Fund, @MaraTriangle rangers, and Mara Conservancy Vet Dr. Ashif Hafiz affiliated with @KWSKenya during the successful treatment. The vet team carefully removed the spear and treated the wound. He recovered, got back on his feet and walked away successfully. Ground teams continue to monitor him as he recovers. Rapid response and strong partnerships can be the difference between life and death in the Mara.

Guess who came to visit Mara Elephant Project HQ? Collared elephant Edwin alongside two fellow bulls. This unexpected visit gave our research team an opportunity to closely monitor Edwin and his companions Individual 140 and Individual 28 known as Milesi, checking for injuries and updating their identification photos. While our team is willing to meet elephants where they live, it’s also nice when they come to visit us!

This herd was stuck in a fence. But not for the reason you might think. After a community member called to report a herd of elephants near their family’s settlement, Mara Elephant Project deployed a drone to locate the herd and understand the situation. The team quickly spotted something that changed the response: there was a calf in the herd. While elephants usually can move through fences with no problem, it all changes when a calf is present. Young elephants are smaller and can struggle to navigate fences, putting them at risk of becoming trapped or injured by the wires. Because of this, the team may need to give the herd more time and space to move safely away from the settlement area. This can make the situation more complicated. A swift response is important for the safety of the human family, but a careful, measured approach is essential for the safety of the elephants. This is where the highly nuanced skills of MEP’s rangers come into play. They have trained and practiced for moments exactly like this, learning how to find the right balance between responding quickly and giving elephants the time they need. And that is exactly what they did. The team successfully guided the herd away from the settlement and completed the operation safely, creating space for both families to coexist and thrive safely.

Elephant Individual #54 is a social gal. After years of monitoring her, the Mara Elephant Project long-term monitoring team rarely ever observes her with just her family herd. She is a highly social elephant, frequently seen moving with family members and associating with different herds across the Mara landscape. Whether in Mara North Conservancy, Olare Motorogi or the Maasai Mara National Reserve, she and her growing family socialize with at least five other individual identified elephants. Her distinctive appearance and social behavior make her an easy individual for our research team to identify and frequently monitor. Each sighting adds another piece to her story and helps us understand how she critical social bonds are to these intelligent animals. For Individual #54, that story is one of strong social connections, extensive movements and a calm presence wherever she is found.

One final challenge. This time, we need you! The MEP Bulls have crossed the #WildlifeRangerChallenge finish line, but there’s still one goal ahead: raising $5,000 to equip them with essential field gear. What does that support mean? It means the equipment our rangers need to stay connected, navigate the field, monitor wildlife and be prepared for whatever the day brings. The Wildlife Ranger Challenge may be over, but for our rangers, the work continues every day. Our fundraiser closes on 30 September, and we’re making one final push to reach our goal. Whether you’ve followed the MEP Bulls through every challenge or you’re just discovering their journey, you can help us get there. Help equip the rangers behind the work. Donate now: bit.ly/wildlife-ranger-chall… #ForWildlifeRangers

There’s a special place in the herd for those who give all year long. Mara Elephant Project’s Recurring Donor Club brings together supporters who provide steady, reliable funding for elephant conservation throughout the year. And as a thank-you, members receive the exclusive 2026 MEP Herd pin. Visit our donate page and select “Monthly” when choosing your gift: bit.ly/recurring-donor-club

Circular plots of rosemary, tea tree and lavender—crops that elephants simply won't eat—separated by open corridors that wildlife move through freely. This is Mara Elephant Project's coexistence demonstration farm in the Transmara, and it is one of the most quietly radical conservation projects in the Greater Mara Ecosystem. The farm grows more than essential oil crops. In the nursery, indigenous tree seedlings are raised from seeds collected directly from the surrounding forest—grown here before being planted out across the landscape. And behind it all are the women of the Transmara. Hundreds of them now growing elephant-friendly crops on their own land. Selling what the elephants won't touch. Buying their maize from somewhere the elephants aren't. Coexistence, grown from the ground up.

This #MissionMinute is a little different. Today, we’re celebrating! Last weekend, we celebrated 15 years of Mara Elephant Project with nearly 200 partners, supporters and trustees who have helped make our work possible. For 15 years, our mission has been to protect elephants and their habitats across the Greater Mara Ecosystem, alongside the communities who call it home. And for 15 years, the MEP Method has guided how we do it: Monitor. Evaluate. Protect. We monitor elephants, their habitats and the challenges they face. We evaluate what we learn to understand where action is needed. Then, we protect by putting that knowledge into practice. Our anniversary celebration was a chance to celebrate the people behind that work. We heard from people who have played important roles in MEP’s journey, thanked the rangers and teams who bring our mission to life on the ground every day, and gave attendees a chance to see some of our work in action. And, of course, no anniversary celebration would be complete without cake! Fifteen years of putting the MEP Method to work has brought us a long way. And we’re grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey. Here’s to 15 years of protecting elephants and the Mara, and to everything still ahead.

We’re still riding the wave of the Wildlife Ranger Challenge race day! The cheers. The nerves. The final push. And that moment the MEP Bulls crossed the finish line in third place! After weeks of training and taking on every challenge that came before it, the 21 km Wildlife Ranger Challenge was the moment it all came together. But beyond the finish line, what stood out was the energy of the day. Ranger teams came together to push themselves, cheer each other on and celebrate the people behind the work of protecting wildlife. We’re incredibly proud of the MEP Bulls and everything they brought to the challenge. Now, we’re keeping that momentum going. Our $5,000 fundraising goal is still open, helping provide the MEP Bulls with essential field gear for the work they do every day. If you’ve been cheering them on, this is another way to stand with them. Support the MEP Bulls through the official Wildlife Ranger Challenge website: bit.ly/wildlife-ranger-chall… #ForWildlifeRangers

Just Mara Elephant Project rangers inviting themselves to mealtime again. A herd of 23 elephants were enjoying a meal together in Naboisho Conservancy when rangers out on patrol pulled up to observe. From matriarchs and calves to curious, mischievous subadults, elephants of all ages were getting down to the important business of grazing. For the youngest members of the herd, mealtime is also a learning opportunity. Calves watch and follow the older elephants, gradually learning which plants to eat and the best ways to forage for them. A little curiosity, a lot of grazing, and plenty to learn from the herd.

The countdown is officially on! In just two months, runners from across the world will hit the trails for the 7th UltraMARAthon, taking on the breathtaking Mara landscape. Whether you’re ready to tackle the full 50 km, team up for the 2x25 km relay, or get your crew together for the 4x12.5 km relay, there’s more than one way to take on the challenge! As a beneficiary of this incredible event, we’re excited to see our Mara Elephant Project rangers and runners join a community coming together for the Mara, its people and wildlife. Every kilometre helps support conservation, community development and habitat protection across the Mara. Have you registered yet? Lace up. Hit the Mara trails. Run for the Mara! 🔗 Register now: ultramarathon.co.ke/register… See you on 14 November!

What if a species found nowhere else in the world disappeared from Kenya forever? That’s exactly what the Mountain Bongo Project works to prevent every day. The mountain bongo is found only in Kenya, and the Mau Forest is one of the last remaining strongholds for this critically endangered antelope. So when camera traps captured images of mountain bongos in the Maasai Mau in late 2025, it was an important discovery for the species and a reason for hope. Since those first images were recovered, the Mountain Bongo Project, alongside Mara Elephant Project and government partners, has been working to secure the habitat these animals depend on and better understand how they use the forest. Now, new camera trap images from the past few months offer another glimpse of mountain bongos moving through the Maasai Mau. For a species found nowhere else on Earth, every sighting is important. And every step toward protecting their habitat brings us closer to ensuring mountain bongos have a future in Kenya. #BongoBonus

After months of training and taking on each challenge along the way, the MEP Bulls faced the final test of the 2026 #WildlifeRangerChallenge this past weekend: 21 kilometres across Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, carrying 22 kg of field kit! They crossed the finish line in 2 hours and 30 minutes, placing third among the 24 ranger teams competing at Lewa. We could not be prouder of the team! They put in the work, pushed through every challenge and showed the strength, endurance and determination that rangers bring to their work every day. But the Wildlife Ranger Challenge is about more than the race. It is about bringing rangers together, building camaraderie and celebrating the people working across Africa to protect wildlife and wild spaces. And what a finish for our partners at Mountain Bongo Project, whose Bongo Brigade crossed the line first in 2 hours and 24 minutes. Congratulations to the team! This weekend was a reminder that while we may work across different landscapes and protect different species, we stand together for wildlife. A huge thank you to @Tusk_Org and the @GameRangersAssociationofAfrica for bringing ranger teams together and creating a platform to recognise, celebrate and support the people on the front lines of conservation. With the fundraising window closing soon, there’s still time to help us reach our $5,000 goal and provide the MEP Bulls with essential field gear. Every contribution helps equip our rangers for the work they do protecting elephants and supporting coexistence across the Mara. Support the MEP Bulls today: bit.ly/wildlife-ranger-chall… #ForWildlifeRangers

What does it take to protect an elephant in the Mara? There’s a lot behind every successful protection effort, but one thing is for certain: it all starts with the right gear. Mara Elephant Project rangers work long hours across challenging terrain, responding to threats, supporting communities and protecting elephants. The equipment they carry can make all the difference, from durable boots and rucksacks to first aid supplies and field essentials. You can help put that equipment directly into the hands of the people doing this work. Through our Amazon Wishlist, you can purchase essential items that ship directly to the Mara. Support the rangers who protect elephants: buff.ly/DZi47I2

This herd had a little surprise waiting for our long-term monitoring team. As the herd scraped away the dry topsoil to reach what was underneath, Mara Elephant Project researchers discovered a tiny new face among the herd. While the adults went about their day, loosening the soil and feeding, this little one stayed close to mom, taking in the Mara one small step at a time. For our team, moments like this are part of what makes long-term monitoring so meaningful. Spending time with elephant herds observing their behavior, understanding their movements and keeping track of the generations growing up across the landscape. And sometimes, along the way, we get a very cute reminder of why that work matters.

The actions required to protect the Greater Mara Ecosystem start at the source. Deep within the Mau Forest, rivers begin their journey downstream, carrying water into the Mara. That water does not belong to one landscape. It moves through communities, supports livestock and agriculture, and eventually reaches the habitats where wildlife depends on it. The forest, the river and the Mara are part of the same connected system. This is why protecting the Mau Forest matters. When forest destruction and other threats put pressure on the ecosystem, the impact can extend far beyond the trees. What happens upstream can shape the landscapes and communities downstream. For Mara Elephant Project, together with the Mountain Bongo Project, being present in the Mau means protecting more than a forest. Our ranger teams work alongside government partners and other stakeholders to patrol the ecosystem, identify threats and taking action against activities such as illegal logging and snaring. Every patrol is part of protecting a larger connection. Because the river does not stop at the forest boundary. And neither should our thinking about conservation. Protecting the Mau means protecting the connection that sustains life all the way to the Mara.