#10Guardians; Grevy's Zebra Champion Stephen Lenantoiye

GREVY’S GUARDIAN Stephen Lenantoiye. Photo: Vivian Jebet, NRT

It’s been 20 years now, but the gunshot sound still lingers in Stephen’s head. This was not a usual robbery incident, or a shootout between warriors during a cattle raid — both of which Stephen was used to witnessing at that time. These shots were aimed at five innocent Grevy’s zebra, grazing on the plains where Stephen was also grazing his family’s cattle.

He not only recalls the terrifying sound but also the sight of a foal running for its life after the mother was killed.

“I felt really sad. I was young and unable to scold the perpetrator then, plus I didn’t quite understand the importance of wildlife conservation at that time,” he says.

That incident stayed with Stephen, and when his community formed Westgate Community Conservancy, he knew he wanted to be a part of it. Now, having worked his way up the ranks, Stephen Lenantoiye leads a team of 35 conservancy rangers, who work closely with the Kenya Wildlife Service and local authorities to build peace and security for the wildlife and people of Westgate, home to a high number of endangered Grevy’s zebra.

A large part of his team’s remit is to work with partners such as San Diego Zoo and the Grevy’s Zebra Trust, to monitor the numbers and movements of Westgate’s Grevy’s zebra. Stephen uses the bespoke NRT Conservancy Management and Monitoring System (CoMMS) to help feed the data he and his team collect while out on patrol into a central database, which helps Westgate and partners to shape conservation measures.

MONITORING Stephen leads a team of rangers who monitor Grevy’s zebra on their daily patrols. Photo: Vivian Jebet, NRT

Historically, Grevy’s zebras were widespread across northern Kenya, but numbers have declined due to poaching, habitat loss, civil unrest in 1970’s and competition between livestock and people for pasture and water.

Today, they are listed as endangered and can only be found in Samburu, Isiolo, Marsabit, Laikipia and Meru counties in Kenya.

They are fond of living and breeding in the plain areas of Moti and Naibelibeli in Westgate, but now also use the patchwork of community conservancies to safely migrate up to Samburu National Reserve, sometimes crossing over to the neighbouring Isiolo County in search of adequate pasture.

ENDANGERED While Westgate is home to a good number of Grevy’s zebra, they have suffered huge decline across much of their former range. Photo: Vivian Jebet, NRT

Stephen, who calls himself a Grevy’s guardian, says that habitat loss, unplanned human settlement and drought pose a bigger threat to the endangered species. That is why he raises awareness in the community on the need to carefully manage the plains where the animals breed during rainy season - both for the zebra and for sustainable pastoralism.

“Human population has increased and people are randomly settling hence occupying wildlife corridors and areas prone to wildlife, where there were no settlements before,” he said.

To ensure there is enough forage for both wildlife and livestock, Westgate Conservancy launched a rangelands management plan, where communities come together to clear invasive plant species on their land, reseed bare land with grass seeds and plan on sustainable grazing practices.

DEDICATED Stephen Lenantoiye has worked his way up to Sierra 1 - head of the Westgate ranger team that helps monitor and protect Grevy’s zebra. Photo: Vivian Jebet, NRT

“Together with good security, this is really benefitting the Grevy’s zebra” says Stephen. “During the rainy season, we usually spot a group of more than 300 Grevy’s zebra in the plains and within the core conservation areas,” he says proudly.

When River Ewaso Nyiro is dry, Stephen leads his ranger team to dig shallow wells in the riverbeds for wildlife to find water.

“Now that I know the importance of wildlife conservation, I have a duty to educate my community on the need to protect these animals since we have all seen benefits ranging from employment, education scholarships and community development projects,” says Stephen.