Mara Predator Conservation Programme

18/06/2026

How do we bridge the gap between rigorous predator research and community-led economic resilience?

KWT is proud to officially launch our 2025 Annual Report. In a year marked by intensifying land-use pressures, climate variability, and ecological challenges, our flagship Mara Predator Conservation Programme (MPCP) proved that sustainable conservation is built at the interface of science and people.

As Board Chair Arnolda Shiundu notes: "You cannot protect predators without securing the livelihoods of the people who live alongside them."

Read the full report to discover how data-driven, community-grounded action is shaping the future of predator conservation:https://www.kenyawildlifetrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2025-KWT-ANNUAL-REPORT-web-17.06.2026.pdf

16/06/2026

One of Nabaya’s three cubs crossing the Ngoswani–Naikarra road yesterday.

While improved infrastructure brings many benefits, this road passes directly through Olarro Conservancy, an area that supports a rich diversity of wildlife. The section through the conservancy should have speed bumps or wildlife crossings signs to warn motorists of animals on or near the road.

This young cub crossed safely, but not every animal may be as fortunate. Roads can pose a significant threat to wildlife, particularly to young and inexperienced animals navigating their landscape.

We urge all road users to remain vigilant when travelling through conservation areas. Reducing speed and watching for wildlife can make a critical difference. A moment of caution can save a life and help ensure that people and wildlife continue to coexist safely in this important conservation landscape.

Photo taken by

15/06/2026

Vuli and Kiongozi were both originally part of the famous coalition of seven Topi Boys, but their paths took tough turns. Vuli stayed behind to care for his aging mother and was later rejected by his brothers, forcing him to survive alone by hunting warthogs. Kiongozi stayed with the coalition but was recently beaten and exiled by his brothers.

But the Mara is full of second chances. This week, we sighted Vuli and Kiongozi together. Two isolated males who experienced rejection from their brothers have found companionship in one another.

We are hopeful that this is the beginning of a powerful new coalition. Read their story in this week’s (link in bio).

15/06/2026

Vuli and Kiongozi were both originally part of the famous coalition of seven Topi Boys, but their paths took tough turns. Vuli stayed behind to care for his aging mother and was later rejected by his brothers, forcing him to survive alone by hunting warthogs. Kiongozi stayed with the coalition but was recently beaten and exiled by his brothers.

But the Mara is full of second chances. This week, we sighted Vuli and Kiongozi together. Two isolated males who experienced rejection from their brothers have found companionship in one another.

We are hopeful that this is the beginning of a powerful new coalition. Read their story in this week’s :

Predator Watch #24 The Wanderers find a home: Vuli, Kiongozi and the Lemuny Males (1st - 7th June 2026) Every day in the wild, a new story is written. Welcome to the 24th edition of Predator Watch. The Maasai Mara is a landscape that constantly tests the resilience of

15/06/2026

“It’s a drama with documentary truth, meaning every time you see Kio, that’s actually Kio. We learned very quickly how to identify these lions, following the Mara Predator Research ID format - photographing portraits, recording markings, and updating them as scars changed over time.” - Alice Owen, Field Producer/Researcher

We are honored that Kenya Wildlife Trust's Mara Predator Conservation Programme (MPCP) is credited as the Scientific Consultant for the stunning new National Geographic series, LION.

On Friday evening, our team attended a special Kenyan pre-screening of the series at Wildscreen Festival. The Q&A panel provided a fascinating look into what it takes to tell an authentic wildlife story. The crew spent four years and over 1,400 days in the field, tracking the real life of a male lion named Kiongozi (Kio) from the time he was just two weeks old.

To make this unparalleled storytelling possible, the production relied on MPCP’s long-term lion identification catalogues to accurately track Kio and his pride through the years.

Data is crucial for conservation, but storytelling is what connects people to the cause. When audiences understand the perilous, emotional journey of a lion growing up in the Mara, it builds empathy for the survival of the species.

Huge congratulations to the National Geographic and the BBC Earth team for this masterpiece, and thank you for allowing our science to support your work on the ground.

10/06/2026

Wildlife does not recognize national borders, and our conservation strategies shouldn’t either. We are proud to celebrate the launch of the Transboundary Corridor Atlas for the SOKNOT Landscape (Southern Kenya-Northern Tanzania).

Developed by scientists from Center for Large Landscape Conservation in partnership with WWF and other regional partners, including KWT, this Atlas is a monumental step forward for data-driven conservation.

KWT helped map 24 critical wildlife corridors by sharing our long-term movement and presence data from the Greater Mara through Mara Predator Conservation Programme. The Atlas focuses on seven species, including the lion, cheetah, and African wild dog. The findings are: 13 of these corridors are currently considered functionally connected, but they require immediate, collaborative protection.

This Atlas provides the baseline data needed to track connectivity over time and offers actionable recommendations for governments, NGOs, and local communities to conserve these corridors for both wildlife and people.

We are honored to be a partner in this transboundary initiative. Read the full report and explore the Atlas here: https://bit.ly/3RJNiZW

09/06/2026

"We all belong to this space - people, livestock, and predators." - Mzee Sairowua, Mpuai-Talek Elder

On 21st May, 226 community members, elders, conservation stakeholders, administrative units, KWS officers, and our Mara Predator Conservation Programme (MPCP) team gathered in Mpuai-Talek to address a growing challenge: the rise of lion-related conflicts bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

With the Fig Tree Pride increasingly utilizing community grazing lands and the recent, tragic loss of a lioness from the Isanchu Pride, tensions have been understandably high. Livestock is the economic and cultural backbone of the Maasai people, and as resident Daniel Maitai put it: "There is no conservation in a hungry population."

Rather than pointing fingers, this meeting was about finding practical, shared solutions. The community voiced a desire for peaceful coexistence, calling for: functional community conflict councils and wardens, faster, coordinated response times to predator sightings, using MPCP’s tracking collars for near-real-time early warning alerts, and reviewing fences that block wildlife corridors.

We are grateful to everyone who spoke so passionately and constructively. True conservation isn't about separating humans from nature; it’s about sharing the landscape safely. We are taking active steps together to turn these recommendations into action.

05/06/2026

One-year-old cheetah Sadala (meaning “playful one” in Maa) and his mother Kulete have spent almost his entire life in the quieter Mara North Conservancy.

But recently, the pair decided to explore. After moving through , they officially crossed into the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This is Sadala’s first time experiencing the Reserve’s high density of wildlife and tourist vehicles. He will have to adapt quickly as he learns the skills needed for his future independence.

Follow his journey in this week’s via link in bio: https://bit.ly/4epgzBN

05/06/2026

One-year-old cheetah Sadala (meaning "playful one" in Maa) and his mother Kulete have spent almost their entire life in the quieter Mara North Conservancy.

But recently, the pair decided to explore. After moving through Olare Motorogi Conservancy, they officially crossed into the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This is Sadala's first time experiencing the Reserve's high density of wildlife and tourist vehicles. He will have to adapt quickly as he learns the skills needed for his future independence.

Follow his journey in this week's :

Predator Watch #23 The Rise of the R5 males and new horizons for Sadala (25th - 31st May 2026) Every day in the wild, a new story is written. Welcome to the 23rd edition of Predator Watch. The Maasai Mara is a landscape of constant change, and this week

03/06/2026

This week, we launched the Anti-Poison Campaign at Olpusimoru Kenya–Tanzania border market as part of our efforts to address the growing threat of wildlife poisoning in the Mara ecosystem.

The campaign aims to raise awareness among communities about the devastating impacts of poison on wildlife and the environment, while promoting safer nonlethal and sustainable alternatives for managing human-wildlife conflict.

This initiative follows a series of poisoning incidents, including the poisoning of predators in Pololeti, 2 incidents in Mara North, Oloisukut, and Noonkishu, as well as a recent suspected poisoning case in Enarau. The awareness campaign will continue through Friday, targeting markets located close to these affected areas to engage local communities, share information, and strengthen collective efforts to prevent future poisoning incidents.