Historically, the integration of humans, cattle, and wild animals has been considered an extremely risky endeavor. However, the emergence of sophisticated technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and automation is making this effort simpler, safer, and ecologically beneficial.
A Bold Integration
Having cattle range freely in a wildlife reserve might seem almost ethereal to many, but Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia has embraced this bold approach. Renowned as a sanctuary for endangered wildlife species, Ol Pejeta is also home to the largest herd of purebred Boran cattle in the world, which roams freely amidst predators like lions, hyenas, and leopards.
For decades, the high density of predators in the conservancy has posed a risk to the over six thousand cattle and the herdsmen who accompany them. Despite these challenges, Ol Pejeta’s innovative strategies have fostered a harmonious coexistence between livestock and wildlife.
A Terrifying Encounter
In his first week as a herdsman at Ol Pejeta back in 2016, Simon Murathi experienced a terrifying encounter with a fierce lion. The incident nearly cost him his left leg and claimed the life of one cow. This experience will forever remain vivid in his mind, a story he will likely share with his children and grandchildren.
“On my fifth day at Ol Pejeta, August 15, 2016, I came face to face with a hungry lion when I was out in the fields looking after the herds. The lion tried to attack one of the cows but then turned to me. It sank its tooth in my left leg. I tried to fight it back, and when it looked into my eyes, it just let me go and took one of the calves and went with it,” he recalls. “I reported the incident and was immediately taken to the hospital. After a few days, I recovered and came back to work.”
Innovative Solutions for Coexistence
In an effort to prevent such incidents, Ol Pejeta has adopted groundbreaking AI satellite tracking collars. This advancement has improved ecological benefits and ensured peaceful coexistence between wild animals, cattle, and humans. According to William Njoroge, head of Shared Services at Ol Pejeta, one cow in every herd is equipped with a satellite tracking collar. This collar transmits the exact location of the herd and predators like lions to an AI-coordinated system known as the “Earth Ranger,” which helps maintain minimal interaction between the two parties.
“There is another tracking that happens, it’s not a fixed track. We have a system called Earth Ranger, which is a dashboard that allows us to monitor various assets. One of the things we monitor is the location of cattle bomas and set up proximity alerts. When a lion comes close to a cattle boma, a vehicle is dispatched to scare the lion away,” Njoroge explained.
The AI system also tracks other activities in the park, such as monitoring the location of security vehicles and displaying thermal images captured by thermal cameras. To further reinforce this, Ol Pejeta has trained its herdsmen on how to deal with predatory attacks and avoid predator-infested areas. The conservancy compensates any herdsman injured during such encounters. Despite a significant reduction in predatorial attacks, an average of 60 cattle are still lost each year.
Balancing Ecology and Technology
The satellite trackers enable meticulous observation of grazing patterns, ensuring that cattle help control overgrown biomass and grass. This provides a conducive environment for smaller herbivores like gazelles. By allowing cattle to range freely on degraded grounds, the conservancy improves soil fertility, creating more pastures for herbivorous wild mammals to graze on.
“The herd management involves knowing where the cows are generally, as the grazing location is informed by research. Our ecological monitoring unit observes the amount of palatable grass available. Grazing patterns are scientifically informed, and degraded areas typically host cattle bomas. The cows spend the night in these bomas, dropping dung that helps reinvigorate the pastures,” Njoroge added.
Embracing Technology for Conservation
Ol Pejeta has also adopted the use of microchips inserted in a calf’s ear to digitally monitor the cow’s progress. These chips transmit vital information such as the weight and health of the cows throughout their lifetime. Njoroge emphasized the need for increased efforts from the government and the private sector to elevate the potential of technology in conservation and agribusiness.
“The potential of technology in conservation and agribusiness remains high, and it is up to us to explore it. Technology in the conservation space is still in its infancy compared to other sectors, but we are at the forefront of adopting and collaborating with like-minded people to achieve this,” he stated.
Ken Kimani, Ol Pejeta’s Chief Commercial Officer, revealed plans to deploy more technology, such as thermal cameras and drones, to curb threats like poaching. “We are considering drones that can work at night to monitor fencelines. We are also working with partners to establish systems that protect our herds and wildlife, such as the endangered rhinos and elephants. We are in partnership with institutions and tech companies to establish these solutions,” Kimani said.
A Vision for the Future
Kenya is emerging as a regional tech hub, with a growing number of AI initiatives deployed in various sectors such as agriculture and health. As Ol Pejeta continues to lead in conservation innovation, we remain committed to exploring and embracing technological advancements to ensure the harmonious coexistence of humans, livestock, and wildlife.
*Blogpost derived from an article written by Ken Muthomi for Capital Business (*insert link to article)