Advancing Wildlife Conservation at Kenya’s Ol Pejeta: Gundi’s Technological Breakthrough at Nat Hab’s Rhino Camp

Natural Habitat Adventures’ Kenya Rhino Conservation Safari is the ultimate launching point for exploring northern Kenya and the rich, biodiverse ecological havens that harbor many of the African continent’s distinctive wildlife species. This new expedition comes on the heels of some technological advancements happening onsite at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a featured stop on the itinerary. 

Ol Pejeta protects more endangered animals than anywhere else in Kenya, and recent changes to how staff and scientists can collect, store and analyze data about the resident wildlife, water levels and other environmental conditions will help generate insights that drive conservation forward.

Fixing the Compatibility Issues Between Conservation Hardware and Software 

The conservation world has been revitalized with the success of a new tool that will empower conservationists, practitioners, and those who manage wildlife conservancies and other protected areas. Gundi, which means “glue” in Swahili, is a new, free open-source tool that helps conservationists and protected area managers store, analyze and compare different sets of data collected onsite. 

“Glue” is an appropriate term for this new platform, as it helps connect technologies seamlessly. Gundi was launched by EarthRanger, a monitoring and analysis platform extensively utilized by conservation professionals to aggregate and display real-time data collected from various tracking and monitoring devices. Alongside Wildlife Protection Solutions and the Wildlife Conservation Society, Gundi was created to address the compatibility issues between conservation hardware and software. 

Most organizations and scientists use multiple types of software and devices to track animals, monitor the safety of rangers on patrols, visualize enormous data sets and track environmental conditions. The devices on the market now for telemetry devices, camera traps and audio recorders come from different manufacturers, and it takes time and money to convert data between these devices and import them into different software to analyze them. 

Gundi is special because it can collect and pool data from wildlife trackers, camera traps and ranger tracking devices, transform the information into a common format, and then send the data for analysis. This resource allows practitioners to track this information along with deforestation information and wildfire alerts.

“As digital data collection expands, the proliferation of software needed to interpret this data can become daunting. However, with the Gundi integration, Ol Pejeta seamlessly combines their preferred conservation monitoring tool, Earth Ranger, with water meter reports in a unified interface. This not only enhances efficiency but also extends the benefit of this integration to any organization using similar devices,” says James Goodheart, a Senior Software Developer for Wildlife Protection Solutions who directly developed the Gundi water meter integration with Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy: Kenya’s Largest Refuge for Endangered Species 

At Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Gundi helped the team access readings from their digital water meters, which were installed in 2021. Monitoring water levels across the semi-arid landscapes of Ol Pejeta is essential to maintaining healthy water levels for the region’s wildlife. 

Traditionally, tracking and monitoring water levels across the 900,000-acre reserve was a time-consuming and labor-intensive process that required staff to track water levels manually. When digital watering meters were introduced across the reserve in 2021, the team ran into the issue that has plagued conservancies and wildlife organizations for decades. The data from the digital water meters couldn’t be read or processed by EarthRanger alone. Now, with the deployment of Gundi staff at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, staff can get daily reports on water levels across the park.

“By adopting Gundi, organizations can redirect resources typically spent on development to further their conservation efforts, exemplifying the platform’s potential to streamline operations and foster collaborative advancements in conservation technology,” says Senior Software Developer James Goodheart.

Stewarding lands and protecting endangered species requires a lot of work. A thriving ecosystem relies on caring staff, scientists, community members, and collaboration within neighboring organizations and private-sector industries that are driving scientific and technological advancements. Ol Pejeta Conservancy has, in many ways, perfected the conditions for a healthy, innovative conservation ecosystem. In 2014, the conservancy achieved IUCN Green List status, a designation that recognizes excellence in managing valuable natural areas. Ol Pejeta is one of two African conservancies to be recognized this way. 

Roaming with Rhinos: Nat Hab’s Epic Adventure at Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Nestled within the Laikipia Plateau alongside renowned wildlife reserves like Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Loisaba Ranch, Ol Pejeta Conservancy stands as a testament to Kenya’s rich ecological diversity. Spanning over two million acres, the Laikipia Plateau ecosystem boasts a stunning array of habitats, from arid plains to snow-capped peaks, attracting safari enthusiasts seeking authentic experiences off the beaten path. 

Within this vast expanse, Ol Pejeta is a haven for endangered species, including African wild dogs, Grevy’s zebras, half of Kenya’s black rhinos and the last two remaining northern white rhinos. Against this backdrop, Nat Hab’s Rhino Camp offers travelers an exclusive opportunity to delve into the heart of conservation at Ol Pejeta. As guests explore the remote corners of this 900,000-acre reserve, Nat Hab’s Rhino Camp provides a blend of nostalgic safari charm and modern comforts, ensuring a memorable and sustainable adventure amid Kenya’s breathtaking wilderness.

At the forefront of conservation innovation, Ol Pejeta Conservancy exemplifies excellence in wildlife management. Through the integration of cutting-edge technologies like Gundi, we’re witnessing a transformative shift in conservation practices. Together with dedicated staff, scientists and community members, we’re shaping a sustainable future for endangered species and their habitats. Join us on this epic adventure to experience the beauty of Ol Pejeta firsthand.