Soysambu conservancy

Soysambu Conservancy was created in 2008 as an entity to conserve the flora, fauna and scenery of Soysambu ranch which is to the Northwest of Gilgil, Rift Valley Province, Kenya. The Conservancy has Taken a conservation lease over the ranch which would be the portal to the proposed Nakuru-Naivasha wildlife corridor.The Conservancy is 48000 acres and borders the Elmenteita Badlands in the south in the area around Mawe Mbili. On the west it shares a boundary of 12.1 km with Lake Nakuru National Park.

History

Soysambu ranch has been farmed by Lord Delamere's family since it was founded in 1906. The current operations include a large beef herd, a hay baling operation and an agro-forestry enterprise among others. The owners had always cherished wildlife but had found the cost of securing it exhorbitant. This partnership will enshrine public access, best management practices and provide a new business model for everyone in the area to benefit from. This is not so much of a lease as a complete paradigm shift for a previously privately operated agricultural enterprise.

Winston Churchill picnicked by the lake in 1908 after some pig sticking, Evelyn Waugh stayed for a spot of "corridor creeping" in the 1930s. Joe Louis enjoyed a menage a trois with 2 sisters in the 1940s and as they were both married, delicacy forbids mentioning their names. Jomo Kenyatta came for a small picnic (only 300 dancers) in 1978 (shortly before his death), and Prince Amyn Aga Khan came for lunch in 2001. Part of Tomb Raider 3 was filmed on the northern lakeshore and Simon Combes grew up there and returned later to live there.

Pelican nesting site of Regional importance

The conservancy covers the northern, western and part of the southern shores of Lake Elmenteita. This lake is the last breeding place in Kenya for Pelicans which nest on some rocky islands in the lake.

The Pelicans feed in lake Nakuru, 10 km to the west and then feed their young with fish they have carried across in their beaks. They generally feed on Tilapia grahamii and some have escaped into the waters of Lake Elmenteita, where they breed in the Kekopey hot springs

Notable Translocated Animal Species

In addition to over 50 mammal species found on Soysambu, some 11 Rothschild's Giraffe were translocated on form Lake Nakuru Park in 1995 and a further 1 from Giraffe Manor. This was carried out by KWS in conjunction with the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy lorry.In 2002 a complete family group of Colobus monkeys were moved into the riverine forest from behind Gilgil where their habitat was being fast destroyed. This was facilitated by the Wakuluzi Colobus trust.

Aardvarks to Zorillas

Pretty much sums it up, no Elephants, no Rhinos (yet). Cheetah eradicated after 1996 by itinerant grazier neighbours. Approx 12000 head of wildlife counted quarterly in conjunction with KWS. 3 species of Jackals, both hyena species, Lions jump in from the park next door.

3rd party Operations on Soysambu

Farmland Development LtdGo Ballooning Gliding ClubAfrican Forests LtdAfrican Diatomite Industries Ltd

External links

* [http://www.soysambuconservancy.org Official site]
* [http://soysambuconservancy.wordpress.com blog]