Water For Wildlife

The problem

In the vast rangelands of North Eastern Kenya, drought has evolved from a cyclical challenge to an existential catastrophe. Climate change has transformed what were once manageable dry seasons into prolonged, devastating crises. While all life suffers, wildlife populations the brunt as the prolonged droughts lead to mass wildlife mortalities, increased human-wildlife conflict and loss of grazing land. In Garissa County, the crisis reaches its peak when the River Tana becomes the last remaining water source as traditional water points - sand dams, boreholes, and seasonal pans dry-up. This water shortage crisis transforms River Tana’s banks into a battleground where wildlife, pastoralists, and farmers clash over this precious, scarce resource. To counter these uncertainties our interventions, focus on ensuring a sustainable supply water to both wildlife and communities across the landscape.

Our interventions

Water trucking- We provide water to both communities and wildlife throughout Garissa County, particularly the northern region due to its distance from the Tana River. Since 2021, 5000+ households and 5 conservancies have benefited from our water trucking program, in which our hired water trucks traverse Garissa's dusty roads to ensure a weekly supply of water to villages, ranger camps, and Mosques.
Water pans – We construct water pans in wildlife concentration areas within HCP founded conservancies and also set up water temporary watering points for wildlife within wildlife concentration areas in Garissa County. We regularly replenish these vital watering points through water trucking, sustaining wildlife within their habitats to keep them away from human settlements.

Opening up of water access corridors for wildlife and livestock along river Tana – The River Tana, Kenya's largest and longest river, marks the western boundary of our protection area. It is vital that both wildlife and livestock have access to the river since it is a lifeline for the flora and fauna of our conservation area. There are historical and contemporary animal corridors along the river known locally as Malkas. However, invasive Prosopis juliflora plants, farms, and settlements have now blocked these vital corridors, preventing wildlife and cattle from accessing the river. Wildlife, notably giraffes, have been engaged in crop raids in the past, as they force their way to the river through farms, escalating the farmers-giraffe conflict. To curb this conflict, we collaborate with farmers and other community stakeholders to open up these corridors to accommodate both wildlife and livestock.