Standing Tall

 

Giraffe researcher, Lexson is a Laikipiak Maasai, a pastoralist whose parents never had any formal education. Like Ambrose, and Moses, he has broken the mould, going to primary school in Ilpolei and then Doldol Boys High School where he was secretary to the Wildlife Club which ignited his passion for conservation. Later he passed a two year Wildlife Course at the University of Eldoret which has qualified him to pursue a degree-level course in the future.

Running out of funds, he decided to look for employment and landed a short contract working with the K-Rep Development Agency - a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which researches and develops products and services for low-income people in Kenya - training pastoralist communities in Laikipia in financial literacy. He went on to work with the Laikipia Wildlife Forum as a grazing supervisor educating people about grazing plans and finally linked up with Twiga Walinzi (Giraffe Guards) through his mentor Symon Rana.

Credit: Olelarpei Lexson Kasintere

"I started off as a research assistant and was then promoted to Research Coodinator in charge of the field activities at Loisaba. My remit is to:

·       Perform a qualitative assessment of the current Reticulated Giraffe population in Laikipia by contacting and speaking with as many land, reserve and conservancy managers as possible to estimate the numbers of giraffes on their property.

·       Gather baseline data on giraffe populations, movement, presence or absence, and seasonal variability within Loisaba.

·       Establish a database of giraffe identities based on photographic evidence.

·       Gather baseline data on mammalian wildlife richness and density using Distance Sampling and from motion-activate camera traps.

·       Gather baseline human dimensions data by surveying people in communities adjacent to Loisaba

·       Conduct rapid assessment of Reticulated Giraffes in Northern Kenya from time to time."

Giraffe with a GPS tracker attached to one of its ossicles.
Credit: Olelarpei Lexson Kasintere

Back at home, like all pastoralists, Lexson tends to his herd. He is also involved in livestock trading and environmental rehabilitation such as controlling soil erosion, and participates in cultural celebrations and activities. He has earned the moniker, Twiga Man and he says that although he is short, “I always stand tall for the giraffes and other wildlife."

 

Now, hands up, who has job envy?