Growing Human Pressures and Rising Conflict in the Greater Mara Ecosystem

Founded in 2011, the Mara Elephant Project (MEP) works to protect elephants and their habitats across Kenya's Greater Mara Ecosystem. Known for the spectacular annual migration of nearly two million wildebeest and zebra, this region also shelters about 40% of Africa's large mammal species,despite covering just 0.1% of the continent's land surface. 

As the human footprint expands, pressure on wildlife continues to grow. Increased livestock grazing, settlement development, and agriculture have pushed wild animals into smaller and more fragmented spaces. In 2012, poaching was the greatest threat, 96 elephants were killed in the Mara for their ivory. Today, however, habitat loss and human-elephant conflict have become the most pressing challenges. 

The human population around the Mara is increasing at over 10% per year, more than three times the global rate. This rapid expansion brings more permanent buildings, fenced plots, crop-based farming, and deforestation, blocking wildlife corridors and escalating conflict. 

Mara Elephant Project’s Mission to Protect Elephants, Habitats, and Wildlife Corridors

For elephants, this conflict often means raiding crops, damaging property, and sometimes clashing directly with people. Elephants are drawn to crops such as maize and sorghum, and as farms expand into wildlife areas, encounters are becoming more frequent. Since 2016, MEP has recorded a sharp rise in crop damage incidents, from 84 in 2016 to nearly 300 in 2024, with elephant deaths from conflict now exceeding those from poaching. 

In the Maasai language, "Mara" means "dot". MEP connects these "dots" of conservation through four key aims:

• Protecting elephant populations

• Protecting elephant habitats

• Promoting human-elephant coexistence

• Restoring landscape connectivity 

How MEP Works

• Monitor 

Using innovative technologies, many developed in-house, MEP tracks elephants, habitats, and human activity across the ecosystem. Tools include GPS collars, EarthRanger, ElephantBook, TerraChart, and Landscape Dynamics. 

• Evaluate 

With its partners, MEP analyses conservation data to generate actionable insights that guide policy, land-use planning, and resource deployment. 

• Protect 

Over 100 Kenyan rangers and researchers work tirelessly, in collaboration with government agencies, to safeguard elephants, communities, and critical habitats. 

Lasting Impact 

For over a decade, MEP has played a leading role in safeguarding the Mara's elephants and reducing human-wildlife conflict: 

• 500+ poachers arrested

• 2,500+ kg of ivory seized 

• 850+ kg of bushmeat confiscated

• 1,600+ snares removed 

• 1,000+ conflict incidents mitigated 

• 4,000+ kg of charcoal destroyed 

• 70+ elephants collared

• 90+ Kenyan rangers and researchers trained and employed 

• 100+ children educated on conservation 

Looking Ahead: MARA ELEPHANT PROJECT's 2030 Vision 

MEP's Strategic Plan sets ambitious goals to reduce human-elephant conflict and strengthen conservation by 2030: 

• Human-Elephant Coexistence: Expanding outreach and education to promote harmony between people and elephants while enhancing MEP's holistic conservation model.

• Sustainable Development: Protecting more habitats and engaging communities through conservation education and partnerships that support both livelihoods and ecosystems.

• Elephant Safety and Security: Leveraging cutting-edge monitoring technologies and cross-border collaboration, including the creation of the Elephant Conservation Organization (ECO) in Tanzania. 

• Organizational Growth: Fostering a culture of philanthropy and building a diverse network of supporters to drive long-term, transformative change.