In August, we received an exciting ‘text message’ from Arden, a tracked female from one of Samburu National Reserve’s most renowned elephant families, the Royals. The ‘text’ was sent from her GSP tracking collar directly to our researchers at our camp located in the middle of the reserve.
The text told us that Arden’s family – a subgroup of the Royals – had made an extraordinary journey west to Oldonyiro – their first visit in over 20 years! Most importantly, they had travelled along a crucial migratory corridor linking the Samburu and Laikipia ecosystems. What inspired this unexpected detour from their usual range between Shaba and Samburu National Reserves? Was it greener pastures or something else?
Arden (collared) with members of the Royals family on the outskirts of Samburu National Reserve
Oldonyiro, located over 150 km from Samburu, is home to one of northern Kenya’s key elephant migratory corridors, connecting the Samburu and Laikipia ecosystems. These corridors are vital lifelines for elephants especially as their habitats continue to shrink due to expanding agriculture and infrastructure development.
STE’s WildTracks app shows Arden’s movements (in yellow) as she and the Royals journeyed to Oldonyiro
Fragmented landscapes intensify human-elephant conflict and drive biodiversity loss. To ensure a sustainable future for elephants, we must integrate their movement patterns into landscape planning – essentially, listening to what elephants are telling us about their needs and giving them a powerful voice through our GPS tracking data.
Using this data, Save the Elephants and the Wyss Academy for Nature have partnered with local communities to secure key migratory corridors in northern Kenya. This collaboration helps preserve essential routes for both livestock and wildlife, such as the Royals, allowing them to access resources and follow seasonal rains without further habitat fragmentation.
A map of the Oldonyiro corridor
So far, we’ve engaged over 1,000 community members in corridor meetings, and eight key corridors have been defined. These corridors are now closely monitored by the Mama Tembos – women chosen by their communities and supported by Save the Elephants to patrol and defend both wildlife and livestock routes.
Corridor markers in northern Kenya
“Creating successful connectivity depends on local support,” says STE’s Corridor Manager, Benjamin Loloju. “Corridors must provide real benefits to communities in order to be valued and protected.”
Securing ecosystem connectivity in a rapidly changing Africa remains a top priority for Save the Elephants. By protecting wildlife corridors, elephants like the Royals can freely move and adapt to seasonal changes, ensuring their survival for generations to come.
Ultimately, Arden and the Royals spent three weeks in Oldonyiro before returning to Samburu National Reserve back the way they came – along the corridor. Although we can’t be sure, we suspect the herd was originally lured out west by the lush vegetation and recent rains. Their remarkable journey serves as a powerful reminder of the critical need to protect these vital migration routes for elephants in northern Kenya.
Arden with members of the Royals outside Samburu National Reserve
Photos by Jane Wynyard/Save the Elephants