In Samburu, where the Ewaso Nyiro River carves a lifeline through the arid landscape, a young Grevy’s zebra mare was collared back in 2023, as part of a critical research and monitoring programme. The collar was meant to be a window into her world; tracking her movements, migration patterns, and the corridors she used to navigate the vast landscape. Regrettably, the collar failed last year, leaving a gap in the data that helps conservationists understand one of Kenya’s most endangered species.
Yesterday, the Northern Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit, in collaboration with the Grevy’s Zebra Trust (GZT), spotted the mare, accompanied by her two foals. The collar was slightly tight…but readjusted for better life in the wilderness.
A Delicate Operation
The mare was sedated, after which the collar was removed. A new collar was then fitted. It will continue to provide invaluable data on Grevy’s zebra corridors and movement—particularly as the zebras migrate from protected areas during seasons of abundant forage. The data previously collected from the collar provided insights that are crucial for understanding how these animals traverse the landscape all year round, and how they connect with other populations across the region.
Our vet teams’ love for wildlife is like an inkblot that spreads and seeps in deeper. It does not stay confined to a single moment or a single rescue; it reaches into the lives of the animals they treat, the communities they engage with and the landscapes they protect. Each intervention adds to a growing legacy of conservation that touches everything it encounters. In that spreading ink lies the hope for Kenya’s wildlife.
The Power of Asking Questions
To succeed in saving lives, one must be a serial question-asker. Why did the collar fail? How can we improve the technology? What are the zebras telling us through their movements? How do we ensure that the data we collect translates into action on the ground? These are the questions that drive the work of the KWS veterinary teams and their partners. They do not accept the status quo; they probe, challenge, and persist. It is this relentless curiosity that leads to better outcomes for wildlife and for the communities that share the land with them.
The Grevy’s zebra is one of Kenya’s most iconic and endangered species, with fewer than 3,000 individuals remaining in the wild. The data collected from collaring exercises like this one is critical for informing conservation strategies, identifying migration corridors, and ensuring that protected areas remain connected. By understanding where zebras go and why, KWS and its partners can make informed decisions about land use, habitat protection, and community engagement.
The mare rejoined her two foals soon after the procedure. In the vast plains of Samburu, where the sun sets in brilliant shades of orange and gold, a zebra mare now sports a new, comfy collar, her movements tracked and her future secured.
To support the Kenya Wildlife Service and help us continue providing life-saving care to wildlife, please visit our donation portal at https://kwspay.ecitizen.go.ke/donate.