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| Ringo |
| The little rhino that captured a million hearts – including a rock star’s. The odds were stacked against him from day one, when his mother abandoned him because of an illness we thought we could help him through. He did great for a while, and we began to see the light at the end of the long tunnel that is hand-rearing a wild born rhino. When he died in July, we took some comfort in seeing that our grief was shared with so many of you around the world. During his short life, Ringo inspired thousands of people with his playful antics and irresistible charm. In simply being himself, he helped to raise awareness about the plight of rhinos in Africa. We would like to thank you all for supporting Ringo in your own way, and invite you to join us in carrying on his legacy.
>> Remembering Ringo |
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| Giants Club Summit |
| Ol Pejeta hosted delegates from around the world at the end of April as part of the three day Giants Club Summit. This is an exclusive forum that brings together African Heads of State, global business leaders and elephant protection experts to secure Africa’s remaining elephant populations and the landscapes they depend on.
>> It’s all about the Giants |
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| Manno |
| At the end of November, Ol Pejeta received a very special new resident. Manno, a 4-year old chimpanzee from Iraq, was relocated to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary after Ol Pejeta’s advocacy project, PEGAS, and partners fought for his release for over a year. Manno is doing well, enjoying significantly more space and natural stimulation than he has ever known. PEGAS continue to make amazing steps toward ending the illegal trade in great apes, and confiscating chimpanzees kept in illegal captivity.
>> Freedom for Manno |
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| Rhino babies! |
| 15 rhino calves were born in 2016 on Ol Pejeta – meaning our population now stands at 140 – 112 black and 28 white rhinos. This is an incredible achievement for us, and one we can attest to so many things – our dedicated rhino rangers, the support we receive from the surrounding communities, and of course, you. Thank you! |
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| Ol Pejeta’s Ecowarrior + ARTA award wins |
| 2016 saw Ecotourism Kenya award Ol Pejeta the Private Conservancy of the Year award for the third time in four years. The Eco Warrior Awards recognise innovations and leadership in responsible tourism, and we were so thrilled to retain our title.
This year also saw us clinch the “Best for Wildlife Conservation” Award at the African Responsible Tourism Awards in Cape Town, South Africa. The judges recognised Ol Pejeta as an outstanding example of how tourism ‘can be used by conservationists to protect habits and species and to uplift local communities.’
>> Private Conservancy of the Year Award |
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| New Conservation activities |
| At Ol Pejeta, we pride ourselves in throwing our guests in the deep end of hands-on conservation. In 2016, we added to our conservation activities. Now, as well as helping to preserve the future of big cats by tracking lions with our rangers, or following elephant footprints through bush, guests can get behind the scenes at the chimpanzees or play hide-and-seek with out tracker dogs. We are the only conservancy in east Africa to offer these types of activities. These activities genuinely contribute to our conservation efforts.
>> Experience the wild |
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| Jane Goodall’s visit to Sweetwaters |
| On the 14th July, renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall visited Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, accompanied by Director General of the Kenya Wildlife Service, Mr. Kitili Mbathi. While at Sweetwaters, she officially opened the new information centre, which will give visitors a more interactive experience, and aims to raise awareness on the plight of chimpanzees in the wild.
>> Read more about the visit |
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| Morani’s restaurant revamp |
| Everyone’s favorite wild restaurant got a revamp in 2016 – with new additions to the food and drink menu. Morani’s was named one of the top 20 amazing places to eat in Kenya, and it’s not hard to see why. Where else can you get a burger and amazing coffees right in the heart of black rhino country?
>> Hungry for information? |
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| Student exchange program with PAMOJA |
| Early this year, three boys from an Ol Pejeta supported school were flown to Canada for a cultural exchange tour with our partners, PA-MOJA. The trip not only gave them an opportunity to see a world totally different from their own (and go on an airplane for the first time) but also allowed Canadian students to meet their pen pals face-to-face. The trip had a profound impact on the Kenyans, and another exchange program is set for 2017.
>> There is more to it |
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| School blocks built at Njoguini primary |
| The 23rd of March was a day that the students, teachers and parents at Njoguini Primary won’t forget. The official unveiling of seven new classrooms, built through a partnership between Woodpecker International Education Consulting, Beijing China and Ol Pejeta Conservancy, was met with huge celebration.
>> Read more |
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| Rhino notching exercise |
| 30 Ol Pejeta rhinos (26 black and 4 white) were ear-notched this year, without a single complication. Ear notching consists of the rhino being darted with a tranquilizer and its ears cut in a unique pattern. It causes no long-term pain or discomfort to the animal, and allows the Ol Pejeta rangers to identify it easily, even in thick bush where other characteristics might be missed. We have a strict policy that every rhino has to be spotted once every 3 days.
>> It’s about the ears |
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