Mara Predator Conservation Programme
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The Mara Predator Conservation Programme (MPCP) is the flagship programme of Kenya Wildlife Trust.
The main aim of MPCP is to conserve predators in the Greater Mara Ecosystem using a research-driven conservation approach The global cheetah population is rapidly dwindling and with less than 10 000 individuals left in the wild, cheetahs are vulnerable to extinction. Unfortunately the remaining populations will continue to decline unless something is done. Realising this, the Kenya Wildlife Trust
18/08/2026
12/08/2026
10/08/2026
Across Africa, lion populations have declined by over 40% in just two decades. Yet, in the Greater Maasai Mara Ecosystem, science, technology, and community custodianship are proving that peaceful coexistence between big cats and pastoralists is possible.
At Kenya Wildlife Trust's Mara Predator Conservation Programme (MPCP), is both a celebration of resilience and an urgent call to action.
Key Highlights of our Impact in 2026:
Data-driven protection: Over 3,800+ km patrolled this year, using GPS tracking collars linked to EarthRanger geofencing to avert human-wildlife conflict before it starts.
Community Outreach: Expanding Recycled Plastic Pole Bomas (RPPBs) and supporting 24 Lion Ambassadors who safeguard livestock and lions alike across community rangelands.
Long-term monitoring: Conducting our 2026 Intensive Monitoring Session (IMS) to deliver robust population density estimates across the Mara.
To our partners and stakeholders, Kenya Wildlife Service, Wildlife Research and training institute, Narok County Government, corporate partners, donors, conservancy managers, local communities, and global supporters: thank you for standing with us.
Read more and help us continue our efforts in predator conservation:
Coexistence through near-real-time Monitoring. Predator Watch #26 World Lion Day Special: Securing a future for Lions of the Greater Mara Ecosystem (10th August 2026) Every day in the wild, a new story is written. Welcome to the 26th special edition of Predator Watch. Today, we join the global community in celebrating one of
07/08/2026
"Before receiving a predator-proof boma, I lost over 30 goats to predators... After receiving the boma, that problem was solved."
As we count down just 3 days to World Lion Day, hear directly from pastoralists across the Greater Mara Ecosystem on how Recycled Plastic Pole Bomas (RPPBs) and Lion Lights are protecting livestock, securing livelihoods, and making peaceful coexistence possible.
When livestock are safe at night, predators are safe from retaliatory conflict. It’s a win-win for pastoral communities and the Mara's lion prides. Consider supporting this initiative by donating here: https://bit.ly/4pNaEJG
Watch the full testimonial video on YouTube (link in bio): https://youtu.be/NZxliZoNnto
Recycled Plastic Pole Boma Testimonials Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
Ever wondered how a lion GPS collar actually works? 📡🦁
Our Senior Programme Scientist, Niels Mogensen, gives us a close-up look at the components of an MPCP tracking collar:
GPS satellite unit: Transmits coordinates every 4 hours so our research and community teams can monitor pride territories and movement corridors.
Activity & temp sensors: Measures physical activity and environmental conditions to keep tabs on predator health.
Automatic drop-off mechanism: A pre-programmed timed release set for ~20months that opens automatically, ensuring we only ever need to dart and handle the lion once.
Our Lion Ambassadors can de-escalate human-predator conflict in real time, keeping both livestock and prides safe by pairing these collars with our EarthRanger early-warning system.
Click the link in bio to learn more about our ‘Collars for Conservation’ initiative.
Happy . Today, our team had the privilege of joining Narok County Government for an inspiring World Ranger Day event at Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR).
It was a great platform to highlight the vital partnership between our field team, our Lion Ambassadors, and the MMNR & conservancy rangers across the ecosystem.
Here is how we work together to keep both predators and communities safe:
GPS collar early warning: Using GPS collaring technology to track pride movements and send automated alerts that help avert human-wildlife conflict.
Sightings & data exchange: Constant, daily information sharing on predator locations and updates across reserve and conservancy boundaries.
Rapid response & intervention: Working side-by-side with MMNR and conservancy rangers to respond swiftly to straying predators, snaring incidents, or livestock depredations.
Community coordination: Bridging the gap between wildlife authorities and homesteads through our Lion Ambassadors.
Conservation is a team effort. We celebrate the brave men and women in uniform who dedicate their lives to protecting the wildlife, habitats, and communities of the Greater Maasai Mara.
30/07/2026
Our Q2 2026 Progress Report is out, and it is full of updates. See how science and community action delivered this quarter, from launching our first dedicated hyena research programme to seeing a 14.5% drop in livestock conflict.
🐾 Covered 3,878km, monitoring 6 collared lions & collared cheetah Nalala. Welcomed cheetah Nabaya’s 4 new cubs in Olarro & launched GPS tracking on 3 hyenas across 3 clans.
Community Impact: Responded to 750+ EarthRanger geofence alerts, removed 120+ snares, trained 156 herders in conflict hotspots, and recruited 7 new Lion Ambassadors.
Read the full report:https://www.marapredatorconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/MPCP-Q2-2026-REPORT-web-30-07-2026.pdf
Kenya Wildlife Trust
Cover photo (c) Maureen Gathoni
28/07/2026
Predator Watch 25 is live.
The Great Migration has brought abundant prey, allowing the Serena Rongai Pride to settle safely in their core territory. Meanwhile, Olope the cheetah survived a scuffle with domestic dogs while navigating increasingly pressured wildlife corridors.
Read more: https://www.marapredatorconservation.org/?p=4113
Kenya Wildlife Trust
The Great Migration brings relief and a daring Cheetah crossing Predator Watch #26 GPS Collars, Migratory Prey, and Corridor challenges (19th - 25th July 2026) Every day in the wild, a new story is written. Welcome to the 26th edition of Predator Watch. The arrival of the Great Migration has transformed the plains into a landscape of abundance.
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