Tsavo Cheetah Project: My new camp outside of Red Elephant Lodge

Kenya has been identified as one of the last remaining strongholds for the cheetah, making it an essential refuge for the future of the species. In 1990, the population of cheetahs in and surrounding Kenya’s protected areas was estimated at 793, of this amount, 55% was generated from Tsavo (Gros 1998). We are evaluating the population and conservation status of cheetahs in the greater Tsavo ecosystem and implementing long-term conservation solutions, in order to ensure their long-term survival.

April 23, 2011

My new camp outside of Red Elephant Lodge

Much of April and May, I will be camping at the Red Elephant Lodge, near the Voi gate at Tsavo East. After Catherine, my research assistant returns from Easter holiday, we look forward to beginning our community interviews in the in this area.

The camp staff claims that they have rarely seen cheetahs at their waterhole, but from other reports and personal sightings within the vicinity... I know, for a fact, that they do come around.

More exciting project updates to come, in the following weeks!

"Why did early man, when he expressed himself in rock engravings, choose animals as emblems of his aspirations? Why have highly cultured races like the Egyptians and Assyrians used animals as symbols for their Gods…? Why are we so deeply moved by tragedies involving our pets? Why are the first toys given to our children representatives of animals?… Do we need more proof that we need animals more than they need us – that they can give us something which we cannot give ourselves? "
Joy Adamson ----- "Pippa's Challenge"

Support the Cheetahs of Tsavo...

You can help us conserve this vital cheetah population! Click on the donate button above, to make a secure payment through paypal.

ALL DONATIONS outside of Kenya, are channeled through, our affiliate, the Cheetah Conservation Fund, which has 501(c)(3) and International Non-Profit Status in the United States, United Kingdom, Namibia, Canada, Japan, The Netherlands, Italy, France and Germany (click on the CCF link, for details). For more substantial gifts and donations, please contact the project PI for details, at: TsavoCheetahProject@live.com

In the US, checks can be made out to: Cheetah Conservation Fund, with "Tsavo Cheetah Project / Schroff" in the memo line of the check. Please mail checks to: 1010 Akio Way, San Jose, CA 95120

In Kenya, TCP is a program under Tsavo Ecosystem Conservation, a Registered NGO, charitable number: OP.218/051//2010/0317/6573. Please contact us, if you would like to donate in Kenya!

The Cheetahs of Tsavo are under threat:

Illegal poaching for bushmeat is a serious problem and is on the increase, drastically reducing the cheetahs’ prey species. Poachers’ snares have also killed cheetahs directly. Human and livestock encroachment-- even IN the Tsavos, illegal logging and charcoal burning, threaten all wildlife in this ecosystem, including the cheetah and its essential prey base. Livestock farmers, Maasai and Somali herders (inside and outside the parks,) who blame OR have confimed the cheetah as one predator responsible for their livestock losses, are another reason for the cheetah's demise.

Key Facts :

The Tsavo cheetahs have been highlighted as a significantly important cheetah population in Kenya and East Africa in the recent strategic plan for the species.

These cheetahs face multiple, growing threats, as the local human population continues to grow and expand onto park boundaries and into protected land.

Our programs are absolutely crucial in maintaining this vital cheetah population and preserving their habitat and prey base.

We are now at the point, I sense, where we know (whether consciously or subconsciously) that we have to reconnect. In fact, our survival as a species could depend upon this. At this late point we are finally learning that our harming of nature and the earth affects all life, not least ourselves.I sense that we wish to return to values of the earth, values of which we are a part, not apart from.It is time for us to reconnect spiritually with all things natural.

Gareth Patterson--- To walk with Lions

April 23, 2011

My new camp outside of Red Elephant Lodge

What's next?

Tsavo, an ecosystem under threat...click on the below image, to read the article...