David Ngala

Category: Forest surveys, Forest wildlife | Date: Nov 12 2008 | By: davidngala

Day one of the forest trail clearing.

So this group of young guys from Nature kenya - Nairobi decided to come all the way to the coast in Arabuko-Sokoke forest, and to do what? To help clear the nature trails in Arabuko-Sokoke forest.

The camp site at sokoke pipit at the forest.

They set up camp at the forest camp site, they would be there for four days so they better have things set up right, from putting up the tents, to the kitchen and assigning duties of cooking and washing, everything had to be in order.

setting up the tents.

who knows how to cook best? Onesmus or Susan?

watch me cook! Tony seems to be telling the crew.

I must admit the first thing that came into my mind when I saw them was - will they really do it?, can they really manage?, how about the heat will it drain them before they begin?, and the women can they make it?, so to give them the benefit of the doubt we set out to the elephant track a trail in the forest that is used to tourist who especially want to see the elephant. The elephant roam around the area freely and many times we find elephant dung on the roads, fallen trees and huge mountains of dug up sand, this was one of the trails that really needed a lot of work and this is an intriguing trail as well, as elephant can surprise you any time.

Fresh elephnat dung on the trail.

So off we went, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) provides a truck to ferry the 18 volunteers to the site, the long journey to the site was really tiresome and I kept on praying that we don’t say “hallo to mr ndovu” - the elephants. A trained ranger accompanied us to the site, but still my heart was in my mouth. Since I was somehow leading the team I had to show some sign of bravery, and not my fear be revealed.

Preparing to be ferried to the site.

The trail were in such a state that needed help like yesterday, trees overgrown blocking the roads, all types of trees, thorny trees, shrubs and even dead logs.

And the work began, it didn’t take me long before I thought I think they will make it…….will they?

And the work began!

To be continued…….

Zooomr : Nature kenya, elephants, forest, friends of arbuko-sokoke forest
Del.icio.us : Nature kenya, elephants, forest, friends of arbuko-sokoke forest

Tags: Elephants, forest, friends of arbuko-sokoke forest, Nature Kenya

2 responses so far