Ol Pejeta Conservancy
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy, formerly a 40,000-hectare cattle ranch owned by Lonrho (Africa) is located between the northern slopes of Mt Kenya and the Aberdares. It comprises a mosaic of grass plains, wooded grassland, Acacia woodland and evergreen thicket. This productive mix of habitats supports elephants, giraffe, and plains game.
In late 2004, thanks to the interest and generosity of its President, Jon Stryker, the Arcus Foundation enabled Fauna & Flora International to purchase the property. At the end of 2005 ownership was transferred to the newly created Ol Pejeta Conservancy, which now benefits from the combined expertise and skills of Fauna & Flora International, the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, the Arcus Foundation, the East African Wild Life Society and local political figures, community leaders and conservation groups.
The main challenge for Ol Pejeta is to improve local livelihoods and support the agriculturalists living on small plots around the southern side of the ranch. Water provision and afforestation are the most acute needs. Equally, Ol Pejeta’s viability as a reserve for elephant, giraffe and other wildlife hinges on maintaining its connectivity with the areas of rangeland in Laikipia district to the north.
The conservancy acts as a catalyst for the improvement and maintenance of these areas, in order to increase their value for wildlife and ensure a better economic return for local inhabitants than they might achieve by fencing and subdivision for rain-fed agriculture.
One third of the property had already been developed as a fenced wildlife reserve, mainly for black rhino protection and breeding. Following a major rhino transfer earlier this year, Ol Pejeta now supports the largest population of black rhinos in East Africa and is an important national resource for the restocking of other areas.
This area also included a 300-acre sanctuary for orphaned or abandoned chimpanzees.
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