In 2004, the Arcus Foundation, through its partnership with
nonprofit conservation organizations Fauna & Flora International
and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, helped to support the creation of
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of the largest wildlife preserves in Kenya.
Encompassing an area of almost 90,000 acres, Ol Pejeta Conservancy
is home to a diverse array of wildlife including zebras, elephants,
lions, giraffes, black rhinos and white rhinos. It is also home to the
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, founded by Jane Goodall, and the
Sweetwaters Tented Camp, a popular wildlife campsite for visitors.
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is developing a model of sustainable and
self-supporting conservation that re-invests the benefits of the revenue
earned from the game preserve to support and develop the health,
security and well-being of its neighboring communities.
This special conservation initiative continues, as Arcus
provides support for a variety of capital improvements at the Ol Pejeta
Conservancy, including the completion of roads, elephant-proof fencing,
rehabilitation of facilities and buildings at the Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and
construction of housing and key buildings for staff, among other projects.
In 2005, Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary steering committee
members developed a Standard Operating Procedures Manual as well
as a Management and Development Plan, approved by the Ol Pejeta
Board, to guide the development of the sanctuary in its mission: "To
provide a refuge for lifelong care of chimpanzees within an environment that
is stable, rich and secure." These comprehensive documents aim to set
standards of excellence for the management of the sanctuary and were
produced after wide consultation by Ol Pejeta consultant Dr. Liz Macfie,
great apes advocate and veterinarian. The plans also address the need for
the implementation of a high-quality educational facility to better inform
visitors about the plight facing chimpanzees in the wild and the urgent
need for strong conservation measures across their remaining range.
Visit the Ol Pejeta Conservancy website at www.olpejetaconservancy.org.
See photos of Ol Pejeta and the Arcus Foundation’s Ol Pejeta brochure here.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy