Progress Update: The Mara-Meru Cheetah Project in Kenya (May-Sept 2025)

The Mara-Meru Cheetah Project is making impactful strides in cheetah research, conservation, and community engagement across Kenya’s iconic Mara Ecosystem. Thanks to generous funding from a Canadian donor, the project has been able to deepen its work and reach new heights.

Strengthening Field Research and Cheetah Monitoring

The backbone of MMCP’s work lies in the field. With two active research vehicles, our team continues to track, monitor, and protect cheetahs, record sightings, and identify and mark key wildlife corridors that connect cheetah habitats. These corridors are essential for maintaining ecological balance and safe wildlife movement. The donation facilitated the purchase of critical tools—external hard drives for data storage, Garmin GPS units, and Samsung field phones—enhancing the team’s ability to collect, manage, and secure data efficiently. The information gathered has been compiled into reports, submitted to relevant bodies, to advise conservation and land-use policies at both national and county levels.

Empowering Communities and Conservation Teams

Community partnership remains at the core of MMCP’s mission. With donor support, the project has, this year,  successfully conducted training workshops for more than 100 rangers and conservancy staff across Olarro, Siana, and Ripoi conservancies. The sessions focused on cheetah identification, behavioural observations, habitat monitoring, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation—building capacity and strengthening collaboration among those working daily to safeguard wildlife and communities.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Through school outreach programs and engaging activities such as the Nexus Dicey conservation games, MMCP reached young learners with fun, interactive lessons on cheetah ecology and protection. These programs, complemented by developed educational materials on cheetah reporting and identification, continue to inspire a new generation committed to Kenya’s wildlife heritage.

Looking Ahead

The Mara-Meru Cheetah Project’s integrated approach—combining science, education, and community empowerment—continues to yield meaningful results. The generosity of our supporters makes this possible, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for enabling us to study and protect cheetahs, secure ecosystems, and nurture coexistence within the landscapes they call home.