Ol Pejeta Conservancy, is renowned for its commitment to wildlife conservation. The conservancy prioritizes extensive research initiatives to monitor and protect its diverse flora and fauna through its Research and Ecological Monitoring Unit. Rigorous veterinary care plays a pivotal role in maintaining the health and well-being of the resident wildlife, including endangered species like rhinos and chimpanzees.
Ol Pejeta collaborates with experts, veterinarians, and researchers to implement cutting-edge techniques and treatments. This comprehensive approach ensures the effective management of the ecosystem, contributes to global conservation efforts, and fosters sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife in this vital sanctuary.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy stands as a testament to dedicated wildlife conservation. At its core, the conservancy employs a robust research ecological monitoring framework, driving extensive research to safeguard its rich variety of flora and fauna. This commitment extends to providing top-notch veterinary care, crucial for the health and welfare of all its wildlife both resident and migratory. Collaborating with a network of experts, veterinarians, and researchers, Ol Pejeta embraces advanced techniques and treatments.
This holistic approach not only ensures the sound management of the ecosystem but also makes significant contributions to global conservation efforts. It’s a dynamic space where sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife thrives, highlighting Ol Pejeta’s role as a key player in environmental stewardship.
This holistic approach not only ensures the sound management of the ecosystem but also makes significant contributions to global conservation efforts. It’s a dynamic space where sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife thrives, highlighting Ol Pejeta’s role as a key player in environmental stewardship.
Ol Pejeta’s Research Ecological Monitoring Unit (REMU) is charged with ensuring and maintaining a dynamic wildlife population on suitable, contiguous and healthy habitat, sufficient for endangered and critically endangered species, whilst retaining connectivity to the greater Laikipia ecosystem.
We do this by identifying trends in key animal and plant species on Ol Pejeta. They then set threshold levels on the key variables, for example: the maximum number of lions or rhinos that Ol Pejeta can support, or the acceptable levels of damage to Acacia drepanolobium. These thresholds help the management make important decisions when it comes to managing and maintain a diverse flora and fauna.
The REMU frequently partner with researchers and students from all over the world to carry out their work. If you are interested in Immersive Conservation Experiences with Ol Pejeta, click here
There is always a need for third party researchers on Ol Pejeta, and research areas are reviewed regularly to address any new challenges. All external researchers are required to send their research proposals to Ol Pejeta’s Ecological Monitoring Department for review before consent is given on the commencement of the field work. Once the research is approved and on-going, the researchers would be required to submit electronic and hard copies of progress and final reports. The list of research opportunities are listed below:
1) Research on Habitats
Status of Acacia xanthophloea, including assessment of damage rates to mature and young trees and rates of recruitment and regeneration
Control of Euclea divinorum habitat at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy
• What control efforts, tools, or approaches for Euclea divinorum plant is the most effective across established areas?
• How is Euclea divinorum plant control methods impact the surrounding species?
2) Black and White Rhino:
• Changes in rhino browse availability
• Development of methods to continuously measure browse pressure and predict future browse availability with particular reference to black rhino
• Assess grazing competition between white rhinos and other grazers(domestic and wild)
3) Research on Animal populations
• Predator/Prey Dynamics (with reference to key ungulates on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy):
• Investigation, development, implementation and comparison of various methods to establish and monitor predator numbers (In particular hyena, jackals, leopard and cheetah)
• Investigation of ecological factors limiting survival of ostriches
4) Patas Monkeys
• Assessment and mapping of sleeping sites with particular reference to Acacia drepanolobium
• Quantification/assessment of the food resource (ant galls, gum, fruits) available to Patas, and suggestion of methods to improve food availability
• Determine the distribution, abundance, conservation status and threats of primates especially Patas on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. From the findings of this study recommend appropriate conservation efforts and design a long term primate monitoring programme
5) Research on Livestock/Wildlife Interaction
• Scale of resource competition and interaction between livestock and wild herbivores
• In comparison with the surrounding range an examination of plant productivity, plant composition, overall biodiversity and intensity of use by wildlife of nutrient rich grazing lawns created by livestock enclosures
• Seasonal variations of tick/parasite load of various mammal species as an indication of health status and resistance levels
• Effects of acaricides on bird species, especially oxpeckers
• Disease transmission from livestock to wildlife and vice versa
• An economic appraisal of an integrated livestock/wildlife system in comparison to systems where one or the other is largely excluded; this to assess and quantify intangible costs and benefits, for example ecological effects
• Ecological benefits of holistic habitat management in comparison to traditional methods
• An examination of the links between wildlife movement and/or occurrence, with cattle movement/presence and disease incidence
• Carrying capacities for various wildlife species with a particular look at the herbivore:predator ratio
• The integration of Ol Pejeta and ADC Mutara management: opportunities to contrast between the two properties for disease pathogens, and compare pastoral cattle movement with Ol Pejeta cattle movement (distance, area, etc), with implications for disease and pathogen monitoring
6) Research on General Biodiversity
• Species inventories to identify and list key taxa including mammals, birds and plants (woody, herbaceous & grasses). Diversity and abundance estimates. Identification of possible indicator species
• Exotic plant species: occurrence, prevalence, possible species associations, rate of invasion and impacts on native species
• Characterization and mapping of habitat types and associated soil types and nutrient levels
• Collation and compilation of detailed historical baseline information on Ol Pejeta’s natural resources
7) Review of Research Projects
• A critical review and collation of past and current research projects with a summary of findings that may be pertinent to management
• Production of a Standard Operating Procedures manual that details the ecological monitoring protocols and methods to be used by the Ol Pejeta Conservancy
8) Monitoring Programmes in Adjacent Community Areas
• Scale and impacts of water abstraction and use of farm chemicals on Ol Pejeta’s ecosystem and its natural resources
• Scale and effects of habitat degradation especially cutting of trees for charcoal burning and cultivation along river banks
• Scale of overgrazing and resource competition between wildlife and livestock in the surrounding northern pastoral communities
• Prevalence of disease transmission between livestock and wildlife in the surrounding northern pastoral communities occasioned my livestock movements especially in dry seasons
A lot of exciting and fascinating research has been carried out on Ol Pejeta over the past few years – which has helped us shape management plans for wildlife, livestock and habitats.
This has included research on wildlife populations and behaviour, such as investigating the effects of sex-biased inbreeding on the reproductive success and home range size of the black rhino. Understanding how individual differences in genetic diversity mediate the outcome of intrasexual competition in black rhino will be essential for Ol Pejeta to effectively manage its enclosed population. Research on predicting the habitat usage of the black rhino has also been useful, as it highlighted areas of potential high browse pressure which should be the focus of EMU’s continued monitoring. This research also helped inform decisions on exclusion zones. Another researcher working on Ol Pejeta uncovered the social organisation of reticulated giraffe, which will be vital in conservation strategies for this species. This research reported that although giraffe social interactions are highly fluid in nature, it is apparent that association patterns in giraffe are not the result of random fission–fusion events, but are embedded within a structured social network characterised by multiple levels of organisation.
A study into the influences of body mass index (BMI), age and sex on inflammatory disease risk in semi-captive chimpanzees suggested that managing BMI should be an integral part of health management in captive chimpanzee populations. This can not only be applied to Ol Pejeta’s chimpanzees, but to semi-captive chimpanzees all over the world.
Research on Ol Pejeta’s habitats has been highly important as well. Establishing the rate at which the invasive Euclea divinorum plant was taking over grassland has been vital in developing management strategies that will hopefully inhibit the spread of the bush. Research into the variability in survival and mortality of Acacia drepanolobium Sjøstedt following prescribed burning on Ol Pejeta reported that, although burning was a useful tool in other parts of the Conservancy, it was in fact detrimental to Acacia drepanolobium woodland because it reversed tree growth and reduced the flower and fruit set in mature trees. Burning also resulted in reduced seedling recruitment as burnt areas attracted seedling predators. It was recommended to Ol Pejeta that in order to maintain a stable and productive habitat for black rhino, controlled burning should be practiced away from A. drepanolobium dominated or mixed woodlands.
Other research projects into Ol Pejeta’s wildlife/livestock integration have also produced fascinating results, and there is still a lot more to be done. Read through recent papers below:
Publications / Research Papers on Ol Pejeta Conservancy [papers by OPC staff highlighted in bold]
Year | Title | Authors |
2024 | Disruption of an ant-plant mutualism shapes interactions between lions and their primary prey | Douglas Kamaru, Todd Palmer, Corinna Riginos, Adam Ford, Jayne Belnap, Robert Chira, John Githaiga, Benard Gituku, Brandon Hays, Cyrus Kavwele, Alfred Kibungei, Clayton Lamb, Nelly Maiyo, Patrick Milligan, Samuel Mutisya, Caroline Ng’weno, Michael Ogutu, Alejandro Pietrek, Brendon Wildt, Jacob Goheen |
2023 | Ant invasion is associated with lower root density and different root distribution of a foundational savanna tree species | Patrick D. Milligan, Todd M. Palmer, John S. Lemboi, John Mosiany, Samuel Mutisya, Benard Gituku, Alfred Kibungei, Elizabeth G. Pringle |
2022 | Ethical Analysis of the Application of Assisted Reproduction Technologies in Biodiversity Conservation and the Case of White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) Ovum Pick-Up Procedures. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. | Biasetti Pierfrancesco, Hildebrandt Thomas B., Göritz Frank, Hermes Robert, Holtze Susanne, Galli Cesare, Lazzari Giovanna, Colleoni Silvia, Pollastri Ilaria, Spiriti Maria Michela, Stejskal Jan, Seet Steven, Zwilling Jan, Ngulu Stephen, Mutisya Samuel, Kariuki Linus, Lokolool Isaac, Omondo Patrick, Ndeereh David, de Mori Barbara |
2022 | Female reproductive skew exacerbates the extinction risk from poaching in the eastern black rhino. The Royal Society Proceedings B | Nick Harvey Sky, John Jackson, Geoffrey Chege, Jamie Gaymer, David Kimiti, Samuel Mutisya, Simon Nakito, Susanne Shultz |
2022 | Demographic consequences of mutualism disruption: browsing and big-headed ant invasion drive acacia population declines. Ecology | Hays, B.R., C. Riginos, T.M. Palmer, D.F. Doak, B.C. Gituku, N.J. Maiyo, S. Mutisya, S. Musila, and J.R. Goheen. |
2021 | Clinical Evaluation of Corridor Disease in Bos indicus (Boran) Cattle Naturally Infected with Buffalo-Derived Theileria parva. | Cook E.A.J., Sitt T., Poole E.J., Ndambuki G., Mwaura S., Chepkwony M.C., Latre de Late P., Miyunga A.A., van Aardt R, Prettejohn G., Wragg D., Prendergast J.G.D., Morrison W.I. and Toye P. |
2021 | Conservation Research in Times of COVID-19 – The Rescue of the Northern White Rhino. | Thomas B. Hildebrandt, Susanne Holtze, Pierfrancesco Biasetti, Silvia Colleoni, Barbara de Mori, Sebastian Diecke, Frank Göritz, Katsuhiko Hayashi, Masafumi Hayashi, Robert Hermes, Linus Kariuki, Giovanna Lazzari, Domnic Mijele, Samuel Mutisya, David Ndeereh, Stephen Ngulu, Steven Seet, Jan Zwilling, Vera Zywitza, Jan Stejskal & Cesare Galli |
2021 | Density dependence and the spread of invasive big‑headed ants (Pheidole megacephala) in an East African savanna | Pietrek, A.G., J.R. Goheen, C. Riginos, N.J. Maiyo, and T.M. Palmer. |
2021 | Frenemy at the gate: Invasion by Pheidole megacephala facilitates a competitively subordinate plant ant in Kenya | Palmer, T. M., Riginos, C., Milligan, P. D., Hays, B. R., Pietrek, A. G., Maiyo, N. J., Mutisya, S., Gituku, B., Musila, S., Carpenter, S., and Goheen, J. R. |
2021 | Kenya’s first White Rhino Conservation and Management Action | Cedric Khayale, Patrick Omondi, Linus Kariuki, Philip Muruthi, Nathan Gichohi, Jan Stejskal, Martin Mulama, Benson Okita-Ouma, Jamie Gaymer, Geoffrey Chege, Samuel Mutisya, Rajan Amin |
2021 | Mutualism disruption by an invasive ant reduces carbon fixation for a foundational East African ant-plant | Milligan, P., T. Martin, G. John, C. Riginos, J.R. Goheen, S. Carpenter, and T.M. Palmer |
2021 | Report on the application of novel estimating methodologies to monitor lion abundance within source populations and large carnivore occupancy at a national scale | Elliot, N.B., Broekhuis, F., Omondi, P., Ngene, S., Kariuki, L., Sankan, K., Chege, M., Wato, Y., Amoke, I., Dolrenry, S., Kuloba, B., Gopalaswamy, A. M. |
2021 | Seroepidemiology of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) in Cattle across Three Livestock Pastoral Regions in Kenya. | Isabel Blanco-Penedo, Vincent Obanda, Edward Kingori, Bernard Agwanda, Clas Ahlm & Olivia Wesula Lwande. |
2020 | Awareness and Practices on Prevention of Human Tick-Borne Diseases and the Genetic Diversity of Theileria and Babesia at the Human, Cattle and African Buffalo (Syncerus Caffer) Interface in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Laikipia County, Kenya | Marion Amulyoto, |
2020 | Browsing impacts on Acacia drepanolobium Sjostedt and associated ant guilds in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya. | Noel O. Olweny, Geoffrey M. Wahungu & Gilbert O. Obwoyere. |
2020 | Exploring the limits of saving a subspecies: The ethics and social dynamics of restoring northern white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum cottoni). | Oliver A. Ryder, Carrie Friese, Henry T. Greely, Ronald Sandler, Joseph Saragusty, Barbara S. Durrant & Kent H. Redford. |
2020 | The Generation of Blastocysts from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells taken from Northern White Rhino Skin Cells. | Natalie J. Anderson & Vincent S. Gallicchio. |
2020 | Using photography to estimate above-ground biomass of small trees | Hays, B., Riginos, C., Palmer, T., Gituku, B., & Goheen, J. |
2020 | Can Phones Build Relationships? A Case Study of a Kenyan Wildlife Conservancy’s Community Development | Matt Ziegler, Morgan Wack, Nancy Ingutia, Ian Muiruri, Nicholas Njogu, Kennedy Muriithi, William Njoroge, James Long, and Kurtis Heimerl |
2019 | Application of MODIS NDVI for Monitoring Kenyan Rangelands Through a Web Based Decision Support Tool. | Ndungu L., Oware M., Omondi S., Wahome A., Mugo R. & Adams E. |
2019 | Human children but not chimpanzees make irrational decisions driven by social comparison. | Herrmann E., Haux L.M., Zeidler H., Engelmann J.M. |
2019 | Poaching lowers elephant path tortuosity: implications for conservation. | Festus W. Ihwagi, Andrew K. Skidmore, Tiejun Wang, Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Albertus G. Toxopeus, Iain Douglas-Hamilton. |
2019 | Apparent Competition, Lion Predation, and Managed Livestock Grazing: Can Conservation Value Be Enhanced? | Ng’weno, C.C., Buskirk, S.W., Georgiadis, N.J., Gituku, B.C., Kibungei, A.K., Porensky, L.M., Rubenstein, D.I., and Goheen, J.R. |
2019 | Interspecific prey neighbourhoods shape risk of predation in a savanna ecosystem | Ng’weno, C.C., Ford, A.T., Kibungei, A.K., and Goheen, J.R. |
2018 | Ancient diversity and geographical sub-structuring in African buffalo Theileria parva populations revealed through metagenetic analysis of antigen-encoding loci. | Johanneke D. Hemmink, Tatjana Sitt, Roger Pelle, Lin-Mari de Klerk-Lorist, Brian Shiels, Philip G. Toye, W. Ivan Morrison & William Weir. |
2018 | Social Structure, Awareness and Practice on Risk of Exposure to Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya. | Marion Amulyoto, Simon Muturi Karanja, Vincent Obanda & Joel Lutomiah. |
2017 | Seasonality and pathogen transmission in pastoral cattle contact networks | VanderWaal K., Gilbertson M., Okanga S., Allan B.F., Craft M.E. |
2017 | Spatial scales influence long-term response of herbivores to prescribed burning in a savanna ecosystem. | Duncan M. Kimuyu, Ryan L. Sensenig, Robert M. Chira, John M. Githaiga D and Truman P. Young. |
2017 | Time series monitoring of bush encroachment by Euclea divinorum in Ol Pejeta Conservancy Laikipia, Kenya | Mutunga Kavwele, C., Mwangi Kinyanjui, J., Kithiki Kimanzi, J. |
2016 | The Influence of Human–Elephant Conflict on Electric Fence Management and Perception Among Different Rural Communities in Laikipia County, Kenya. | Marcia Van Eden, Edward Ellis & Brett L. Bruyere. |
2015 | Generation of ecosystem hotspots using short-term cattle corrals in an African savanna. | Porensky, L. M., & Veblen, K. E. |
2015 | Predicting the habitat usage of African black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) using random forest models. | Lucy Lush, Martin Mulama & Martin Jones. |
2015 | Spatio-temporal variation in prevalence of Rift Valley fever: a post-epidemic serum survey in cattle and wildlife in Kenya. | Olivia Wesula Lwande, George Omondi Paul, Patrick I. Chiyo, Eliud Ng’ang’a, Viola Otieno, Vincent Obanda & Magnus Evander. |
2015 | Economic contribution of the pastoral meat trade in Isiolo Town, Kenya | Gituku, B.C., Wasonga, O.V., Ngugi, R.K. |
2014 | Maternal tactics for mitigating neonate predation risk during the postpartum period in Thomson’s gazelle. | Blair A. Roberts & Daniel I. Rubenstein. |
2014 | Quantifying microbe transmission networks for wild and domestic ungulates in Kenya. | Kimberly L. VanderWaal, Edward R. Atwill, Lynne A. Isbell & Brenda McCowan. |
2013 | Stereotypical Behaviors in Chimpanzees Rescued from the African Bushmeat and Pet Trade | Stacy M. Lopresti-Goodman, Marjanne Kameka & Ashlynn Dube. |
2012 | Encroachment of open grasslands and Acacia drepanolobium Harms ex B.Y.Sjo¨stedt habitats by Euclea divinorum Hiern in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya. | Geoffrey M. Wahungu, Lucy K. Mureu, Nathan W. Gichohi, Irene A. Onyango, Joseph K. Makau, Douglas Kamaru, Samuel Mutisya, Martin Mulama & Duncan M. Kimuyu. |
2011 | Survival, recruitment and dynamics of Acacia drepanolobium Sjøstedt seedlings at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya, between 1999 and 2009. | Geoffrey M. Wahungu, Lucy K. Mureu, Duncan M. Kimuyu, Allan Birkett, Paul G. Macharia & James Burton. |
2010 | The effect of removing a dividing fence between two populations of black rhinos | F.J. Patton, M.S. Mulama, S. Mutisya, P.E. Campbell |
2010 | The colonization of a new area in the first six months following ‘same-day’ free release translocation of black rhinos in Kenya | F.J. Patton, M.S. Mulama, S. Mutisya, P.E. Campbell |
2009 | Reproductive status influences group size and persistence of bonds in male plains zebra (Equus burchelli). | Ilya R. Fischhoff & Jonathan Dushoff & Siva R. Sundaresan & Justine E. Cordingley & Daniel I. Rubenstein. |
2009 | Variability in survival and mortality of Acacia drepanolobium Sjøstedt following prescribed burning at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya. | Geoffrey M. Wahungu, Lucy K. Mureu & Paul G. Macharia. |
2007 | Productivity indexing of wild herbivores on Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Ol Pejeta Ranch in northern Kenya. | T. W. Simiyu, G. A. Olukoye1, J. W. Wakhungu & W. N. Wamicha. |
2005 | Effect of low rainfall and browsing by large herbivores on an enclosed savannah habitat in Kenya. | Alan Birkett & Barry Stevens-Wood. |
2002 | The impact of giraffe, rhino and elephant on the habitat of a black rhino sanctuary in Kenya. | Alan Birkett. |
© 2024 Ol Pejeta Conservancy