Mama Tembos (Elephant Mothers)

In the summer of 2018 I spent time in Northern Kenya with the “Mama Tembos” or “Elephant Mothers”.

 The “ Elephant Mothers” consist of nine women, employed by ‘Save The Elephants’ and the Kalama Community Conservancy. The women, from traditionally conflicting groups, the Samburu and the Turkana, have come together to be trained in basic elephant behavior, footprint identification, GPS monitoring and record-keeping.

The Mamas Tembos monitor four elephant corridors which have been identified by 20 years of monitoring elephants with GPS collars. These pathways around the Samburu National Park lead to other important National Reserves and elephant habitats and are used year after year by the elephants in search of food, water and a mate. It is critical that these wildlife corridors are kept free of human encroachment and unplanned development, as these can lead to disastrous conflicts between humans and elephants.

   The Mama Tembos say that since being hired by Save The Elephants their lives have improved. They have gained more respect in their patriarchal communities and are regarded as having valuable skills other than traditional domestic work. Most of these women come from poor, uneducated backgrounds, often being married or getting pregnant very young and having to drop out of school. Many have either been abandoned by their partners or often their partners have been killed in tribal conflicts and they struggle to support their children. The Mamas report they are proud to be a part of this advancement in animal conservation and to earn extra money to help their families.

 It is hoped that other communities will follow the lead of this project and protect their own wildlife corridors, particularly in modern Kenya which has seen a huge increase in population and the planned development of new major highways, rail links and oil and gas pipelines.