THE 10% FENCE PLAN
A project in conjunction with Tsavo Trust in Kenya

Background

In conservation, the people are fundamental to the wellbeing of the animals that surround them. This initiative supports the communities that are constantly fighting the animals who search for water and crops and livestock to eat.  It is explained to the community that because of the animals, this safety provision is being made available and so once 10% of their land is fenced their home, ‘shamba’ (vegetable patch in Swahili) and all livestock must be in that area for protection at night. The remaining land (90%), must be left fallow so that wildlife can graze and have cover, as well as roam lands as  they have done for generations before the human population expanded into their habitat.

Find out more about joining or starting a ‘10% fence plan’ fund raising syndicate team.

Project Progress

Tofauti is proud to report that we have installed three electrified fences on three different community owned parcels of land.

 1. 1-acre area for a 10-acre parcel of land

2. 8-acre area for an 80-acre parcel of land 

3.  9-acre area for a 90-acre parcel of land

As Tsavo Trust has operated in this area for over 6 years, we have collated historical data of the human: wildlife conflict cases, and therefore will directly compare incidence of attacks pre and post the fence installations. Please look out for updates that will follow in due course.

Team Tofauti’s Visit on Site

This project has been a priority for Tofauti, so we were very excited to see the fences for ourselves and get the feedback from the ground. We pulled up to a secluded homestead along the border of the Tsvao East National Park, an area renowned for its huge expanse and its large elephant numbers. This old man, well into his seventies, with eyes deep set into his head and weathered skin from working the land, emerged gingerly from his little mud hut. His vision was poor, and he needed support having recently suffered a stroke. He was what we call respectfully here in Kenya a Mzee (old man). 

I stood with Richard Moller, the CEO of the Tsavo Trust as he explained in fluent Swahili that Tofauti had been involved in the provision of the fence for his plot of land. At which point this toothless smile rose across his face, and I was filled with pride as he launched forward to embrace me. Covid-19 suddenly felt miles away, as sheer gratitude from a man who had seen it all, was fully expressed. He explained that I would never understand the change that this had made to his life. A short story followed, and more warm hospitality. A humbling experience from someone who literally has nothing apart from his livestock!

He explained that very morning, he had woken early to the shrieks of his goats which was a  warning sound that they were in danger. He had grabbed his flash light, to go and see what the commotion was about and saw that the resident leopard was on the approach. He waited and watched a small distance away while the leopard assessed how he would get over the newly installed fence. With great pride in his new infrastructure, he explained how he watched the beautiful, but potentially lethal, animal walk along the fence line, unable to penetrate the boundary and potentially attack his livestock. Something which previously had never been possible. 

This short and very real story illustrates the impact that the monies we have raised has on the lives of both humans and wildlife. This is what we do it for. 

So, our gratitude is to you all, our partners, friends and donors. Your support has enabled us to make a difference, and we hope that this concept can be adopted around other parts of the African continent once we collate the impact that it truly has. This is a story of one Mzee, we believe it can have such a positive impact on so many more. 

Together we make Tofauti.

OUR PROJECTS

Wildlife protection

Roan antelope

Issue
The number of Roan antelope in Kenya has dropped to a critical level. There are now only 12 adults left in the whole of Kenya.

Action
We are partnering with the Kenyan Wildlife Service and Ol Pejeta Conservancy to help save this species in Kenya by working alongside them and providing funding for an environmental and assessment survey in Ruma National Park. The goal is to create a fenced rehabilitation area for this species in this national park and introduce new breeding stock to boost numbers.

Impact
Fencing off part of the Ruma National Park, moving predators to other areas in this national park and introducing breeding stock from other countries is the only way that this species will be saved in Kenya. Ruma National Park is the only remaining place in Kenya where Roan antelope currently exist.

Sand Dams - Natural and sustainable water systems for wildlife and communities living in drylands.

Project in partnership with Excellent Development - starting soon.

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary - Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy

Community led initiatives are rare, and the people and the wildlife need to be apart of the solution for it to be sustainable. This film is a beautiful illustration of that, people working together for the greater good and benefit. Tofauti plays a small part in providing Whey protein (The Hut Group partnership) in order to assist in giving the orphans sustenance to build up their strength before returning to the wild.

Infrastructure and habitat

Tractor

Issue
The challenges of running and maintaining a 65,000 acre conservancy are vast. Constant development and upkeep of key infrastructures are vital to keep the conservancy’s animal and human populations thriving. And efforts are constantly at the mercy of the changeable African weather – such as the 2018 flood that saw dams burst, roads, vehicles and buildings destroyed in the Galana Conservancy.

Action
Following our 2018 Conservation Ball Tractor Pledge, we were able to provide a tractor to help the Galana Conservancy make crucial repairs, onward infrastructural developments and enable scouts to better patrol the area.

Impact
The 2018 flood didn’t just damage the landscape – it wiped out Galana’s only tractor. The provision of a new tractor has enabled dams to be re-dug, roads to be rebuilt and the conservancy team to get back on track. The tractor is being put to use in building over 85km of roads to demarcate the conservancy’s Northern and Eastern boundary – creating clarity for local people and enabling them to better co-exist alongside their neighbouring wildlife.

ISAP Namibia

Issue
Poaching is one of the greatest threats posed to Africa’s wildlife – getting on the front foot to stop poachers is key to securing the long term safety of some of Africa’s most precious and rare species.

Action
ISAP – Intelligence Support Against Poaching – is a Namibian NGO focused on use of technology and intelligence-gathering to proactively tackle poaching.

We provided funding and worked alongside our partners Friends From Ireland and the ISAP team to start construction of a central HQ from where information can be disseminated and anti-poaching operations monitored and controlled. 

Impact
With phase one of HQ construction now complete, the ISAP team are busy planning the next phase with the aim of having the crucial operational centre ready for action very soon.