Where we work

The Bura East Conservancy bordering the Arawale National Reserve in Ijara is home for a variety of wildlife species, top of the list being the Hirola antelope which is the world's most endangered antelope gunning one of its location a nickname “the hirola center”. With the support of hcp, the conservancy was set up in 2016 in partnership with the community and covers 1.2 million acres around Nanighi, Bura, Galmagala and Masabubu locations.

The community

• Ethnicity: Bura East is home to the Somali tribe majority and a minority of the Malakote and Pokomo tribes. The communities are semi-nomadic pastoralists who keep livestock herds consisting of camels, cattle, sheep, goats and sometimes donkeys to be used during transport. Some of the community members with land along R. Tana practice irrigation farming.

Natural resource

• Water resources: Bura East conservancy draws its waters from R. Tana, water pans within the conservancy, and swamps. River Tana serves areas of Dagole and Mitobini. Water pans dug by hcp serve areas of Karbuna, Sheik Mohamed and Laghaden serve both livestock and wildlife especially during the dry season. There is one swamp in the Barbah area within the conservancy which serves both livestock and wildlife.
• Trees and shrubs: Bura East community conservancy is characterized by lowland dry forests and grassland. Some of the parts of the conservancy are at their natural state while other parts have been altered by invasive species that have taken over.

Invasive species such as Acacia reficiens and Mathenge (Prosopis juliflora) are present in the conservancy and are responsible for most of the degradation.

• Wildlife: Key wildlife species in Bura East Conservancy include Hirola, Reticulated giraffe, African Wild dogs, Beisa Oryx, Grevy zebra, Gerenuk, Bushbucks, Grant Gazelle, Lesser Kudu, Ostrich, Leopard, Cheetah, Spotted hyena, Stripped Hyena, Warthogs, Olive Baboons, Kirk’s Dik Diks, among others. There are also a variety of reptiles in the area including snakes, tortoise and crocodiles.
• Grasslands: invasive tree species are a threat to grasslands in Bura East Conservancy. Our grasslands have shrunk over the years and there is increased pressure on the grasslands left by both wildlife and livestock especially during drought seasons.

Human-wildlife conflict

Crocodiles and snakes are responsible for most of the human-wildlife conflict experienced in the area. Sometimes Olive baboons invade nearby farms along the river. Hyenas are often reported to predate upon livestock belonging to the residents.

Top Ranked Priorities for Development and Sustainability of Bura East Conservancy

• Rangeland Restoration and rehabilitation
• Conservation of wildlife and natural resource management
• Human-wildlife conflict resolution
• Education
• Peace and security
• Diversified livelihoods and economic options
• Water for the community, livestock and wildlife

Ishaqbini hirola conservancy is a community conservancy located in Fafi, Garissa county, Kenya and was founded in 2005. The community conservancy covers 72 km². The conservancy is located along the Eastern bank of R. Tana and borders the former Tana River Primate Research. Despite its small size, the conservancy is a core refuge and breeding ground for the critically endangered hirola antelope hence forming a key part of the hirola’s habitat. The conservancy includes a predator-proof sanctuary for the hirola. The conservancy covers four local communities from Kotile, Korisa, Hara and Abaratilo. hcp monitors and conducts research on hirola within the conservancy with a team of scouts drawn from the local community who have been trained to help collect data on hirola.

The community: Ishaqbini is home to the Somali tribe who are semi-nomadic pastoralists practicing grazing for decades across arid bush and grassland with low rainfall. They mostly own herds cattle, sheep and goats.

Natural Resources

• Water resources: the main water sources in Ishaqbini conservancy are River Tana, water pans dams and swamps. There is also a small lake called Lake Ishaqbini. River Tana serves Kotile, Abalatiro, Korisa and Hara. There are two swamps in Durow and Borshima.
• Trees and Grassland: Ishaqbini Community Conservancies is characterized by a lowland dry forest consisting of acacia tree cover and grasslands. Over the years the grasslands have shrunk immensely due to invasion by invasive species such as Acacia reficiens and Mathenge (Prosopis juliflora).
• Wildlife: Key wildlife species in Ishaqbini include Hirola, elephants, African Wild dog, Eland, Oryx, Buffalo, Topi, Tana Mangabey, Tana Red Colobus, Reticulated Giraffe (including the white rare giraffe). Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Ostrich and a variety of bird species.

Human wildlife conflict

Livestock predation by Hyena, Wild dogs and cheetahs are on the rise around the conservancy and also the is an increase in the number of other predators such as lions and leopards in the area hence increasing conflicts between herders and wildlife.

Conservancy Priorities

• Wildlife conservation
• Rangeland management and rehabilitation
• Water for the community, Livestock and wildlife
• Education
• Security and peace

Diversification of livelihoods and economic options