Community policing wins war against electric fence vandals
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Nov 04 2009 | By: ngongforest
The electric fence that surrounds the Sanctuary has in the recent past suffered attacks by vandals and thieves especially in sections powered from Hillcrest camp that was vandalized two years ago. Since then, it has been a hide and seek game between the rangers and thieves. The area most affected is along the Southern Bypass that cuts across the forest thus opening access to the forest . The Trust is currently seeking for funds from donors and well wishers to replace and re-energize the vandalized sections.
Part of the fence where wires have been cut and others missing
For several days now we have been patrolling ,laying ambushes along the targeted areas of the fence in the hope of arresting the vandals.We have intensified our day and night patrols,reinforced patrols with Kenya forest service guards, with little gain. We decided to change tactics and approach the local community who are partners in conservation,to assist. we were not sure how they would take our idea of helping us to collect information on any scrap wire business in their areas of residence. This approach has worked wonders!
While on our usual routine day patrol, one local community member informed us that he has witnessed wires being sold to a scrap metal dealer next to his stall but he was not sure where the wires were from.
It was then that we decided to tour Bangua Village, which is a few kilometers from the forest. At around 5.30 PM, we encountered a man with rolled wires put in a sack walking to the scrap metal dealer’s stall, we arrested him and took him to the police station for further questioning , he had also confessed that he is not the only one who has been stealing the fence wires. We hope the police will make use of the information provided by the culprit to break this cartel and arrest all those involved.
One of the fence wire theif who was arrested
Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary is protected through kind donations from friends and well wishers. Kindly join us by donating towards protection of this unique forest reserve.
By Nicholas Akach
A dumpimg site? let us appreciate forests.
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Oct 27 2009 | By: ngongforest
Every year in the month of September or October, there is always a one week of exhibition at the Nairobi Show Ground which is organized by Agricultural Society of Kenya and attracts many people including students countrywide and abroad.
Cemetery Road which is used as an exit from show ground and passes by the sanctuary’s main gate, becomes very busy during this season causing a heavy traffic jam especially in the evening hours.This creates chances for littering along the road.
Dumping is one of the serious challenges we are facing,several occasions, people have been caught dumping in the forest especially along the Southern bypass which cuts across the forest therefore increasing accessibility,however even along the cementry road which connects to the show ground from the main road,people find their way to dumping along the road.
Dumping along the road
Dumping inside the forest
Thanks to some of our local community members who are actively involved in conservation, they sacrifice their time to get rid of these litters.
Some members collecting litter along the road
We hope those who view the forest as a dumping site will one day take time to appreciate it.
Ngong Forest Sanctuary Trust is a non profit making organization and protected through donations from friends and well wishers, join us by donating towards protection of this unique forest reserve.
By Ranger George Thuo
Email: georgethuo94@yahoo.com
Thugs target part of the electric fence
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Oct 22 2009 | By: ngongforest
As a conflict mitigation measures,a perimeter electric fence was enacted around the sanctuary in 2003. It has since been effective apart from theft of energizers,batteries and solar panels that served part of the fence which we have not been able to replace, recently persistent theft cases of the fence wires is on the rise . More than 25km electric fence consisting 15 strands of wires which once secured the forest from intruders, is now been rendered ineffective as parts of the fence along the Southern Bypass and other secluded areas is been targeted by thugs. Efforts from the rangers to nab the thugs so far have proved to be an uphill task. We patrolled along the fence,laid ambush at the targeted areas from dawn to dusk, done investigation to find out where the wires are being taken and even visited scrap metal sites neighboring the sanctuary to ascertain if they are being sold there. We have not yet been successful.
We have now intensified our day and night patrol especially during the night since we highly feel the wires are being stolen at this time
Rangers awaiting near one of the targeted part of the fence
The senior ranger has asked the respective authority to seek armed guards to accompany us during the night ambush. Yesterday was the second day ambush ,we were interrupted by a heavy down pour at 10:30 pm forcing us to rush to the main gate briefly to seek refuge. We returned as soon as the rain subsidized but unfortunately the thugs did not show up. However we have not given up yet, it might take some few days or weeks but eventually we are sure we will get hold of the culprit.
Join us by donating towards reviving part of the inactive electric fence.
By ranger Joseph Karanja
Email: jranjus@yahoo.com
Tree Planting in The Forest
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Oct 19 2009 | By: ngongforest
With onset of long rains countrywide , a joint group from APA insurance and Capital Fm ( a leading radio station in Kenya) planted over 1,000 indigenous trees in the Ngong forest. The event was very successful with various schools and Ngong Forest Community members joining hands to plant trees. The group going by the motto” Green Generation Campaign” is aiming at planting 20 million trees by the next one year.
APA Insurance banner and a Capital Fm banner at the Planting site
APA insurance employees with community members planting trees
We take this opportunity to thank APA insurance and Capital Fm for their efforts in joining hands to replenish the forest.
Ngong forest Sanctuary is protected through kind donations from friends and well wishers, join us by donating towards protection of this unique forest reserve.
With this wet season, lets go green.
By Nicholas Akach.
Baboons invade Community Womens Beehives
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Oct 12 2009 | By: ngongforest
In Ngong Forest Sanctuary,bee keeping project was started in 2003 funded by UNDP-GEF Small Grant Programme, as a user group and an alternative source of income for the local community . Every Wednesday the members carry out hives inspection and they assembled at a common point,the main gate.Last Wednesday was honey harvesting day,the women reported very early in the morning to their surprise ,they found a troop of baboons at the apiary site ,they had invaded and destroyed the beehives ,some were found feeding on the honey. The vigilant male baboons attacked the women and some of their belongings.
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Baboons searching bags belonging to the beekeeping members
baboons in action
Screaming from the women attracted our attention and we rushed to the rescue. On reaching the apiary, we found Baboons busy eating honey as others continued breaking hives searching for honey. What shocked us was the way they harvested like human beings by removing frames one by one ,rubbing off the bees and then pose to eat
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some members during hives inspection
That day they managed to harvest only two super boxes .This was the first baboon invasion of hives the beekeeping group witnessed prior the group members had complained of maasai cattle’s destroying hives and sometimes intruders stealing honey
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woman carrying super-boxes
women ferrying the crude honey for processing
Ngong forest Sanctuary Trust is protected through kind donation from friends and well wishers, join us by donating towards protection of this adorable forest reserve.
Theft Attempt at the Education Center
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Oct 08 2009 | By: ngongforest
Though we have been experiencing cases of fence vandalism in the forest, cases of theft attempts at the office/Education Center are the first to witness. It started with an attempt to steal a tank from the orientation banda’s toilets at main gate but it was discovered hidden in the bush some few meters away.
The tank that had been stolen
On Tuesday night at around 2320 hours ,we were at the reception in the Education Center from where we heard some movements from outside. It seemed some people or animals were loitering around. Normally, our visitor at these hours is a lone leopard which tries to fight its image reflected on the glass on the main door. we thought all was secure as we walked to the rear door reception where we could view the leopard properly. I did not believe my eyes seeing someone in the hall!. I turned back to Nicholas who was also shocked as i was. Nicholas gathered courage and shouted ” hands up! who are you and what are you doing here?” fortunately, he was an unarmed thug who had no option but to cooperate.
We alerted our colleagues at main gate,Ultimate Security Guards and The Project Coordinator who all responded with amazing swiftness.
The thug in the hall where we found him
We later noted that he was part of a gang that had used one of the top windows which is over five meters from the floor to lower him into the hall using a rope. We took and booked him at Karen Police Station now ready to appear in court.
One of the security firm that responded
The Ngong Forest Sanctuary commonly referred to as the Nairobi’s carbon sink, is protected through kind donation from friends and well wishers,kindly join us by donating towards protection of this adorable forest reserve.
By Ranger George Thuo
Email: georgethuo94@yahoo.com
Partnering to Boost Security
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Oct 06 2009 | By: ngongforest
Ngong Forest Sanctuary is gaining popularity as a regular destination for nature lovers and especially those who love going for forest walks and bird watching. During such visits, it is our duty as rangers to provide security for them. In our normal forest patrols, a team of two and sometimes three rangers cover a forest block for illegal tree poachers and other forest destroyers. Whenever we have visitors or a need to intensify strength of patrols, we request for reiforcement form our conservation partners at the Kenya forest Service, the police and even private security companies.
K.F.S and Sanctuary’s rangers escorting visitors
One good and reliable partner is Ultimate Security Ltd who are excellent in instaling and responding to alarms.
This partnership has greatly boosted security not only in the forest but alo in the whole neighbourhood making the Sanctuary a safe place to visit.
Ultimate Security Guards testing our alarm systems at the Main Gate
This creates a sense of unity among these security bodies.
Alarm switch at our Main Gate
we welcome such partnerships in all areas with the aim of ensuring that our precious natural resources remain available for generations to come.
By Ranger George Thuo
Email: georgethuo94@yahoo.com
A New Natural Look of the Education Centre
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Oct 02 2009 | By: ngongforest
A line of tiles arranged within a stepping distance will now lead one to the education center. This is the building where the sanctuary’s office are situated. You could walk through the auditorium and as you walk out through the back door, the tiles continuous up to the orientation banda forming a long beautiful pattern. All around the banda and the education center, wild flowers, different type of plants and indigenous trees has been planted giving the whole area a different look which blends well with the forests natural environment.
Back view of the education centre
“Everything is indigenous apart from this two flowers”‘ Ruth Horsey, the landscaper said pointing at two flower plants near the back reception door. The walls are now covered with brownish dark brown soil paint giving it a natural look. Rocks of different sizes and shapes has been arranged creating a beautiful scenery of rock garden. To keep the landscape as natural as possible indigenous trees has been planted in such a way to make an attractive pattern. Ruth Horsey ,the person behind the whole design says that, after every thing matures the rocks and walls will be covered by shrub bed and flowers giving the milieu a complete new look.
It looks like we are nearing onset of rains, wait until it rains, am sure the Education center will look more spectacular!
Ngong Forest Sanctuary is protected through kind donations from friends and well wishes, join us by donating towards protection of this unique forest reserve.
By ranger Joseph Karanja
Email: jranjus@ yahoo.com
How is it like?-A Typical Patrol in the Forest
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Sep 28 2009 | By: ngongforest
One of our main duties is forest protection. This is carried out by regular patrolling of the forest in order to keep any intruders away to avoid any incidence of any kind of forest destruction. Some forms of those destructions are debarking , tree root harvesting, and logging. This illegal activities are carried out at any time in the day and to curb them regular patrol are necessary. However the six sanctuary rangers can’t afford to patrol all throughout the day and night of the 600 Ha of the forest given the fact that some has to be left to man the two sanctuary camps,the main gate and bomas camp, and without fire arms or handcuffs we have to use experience and skills gained over the years for our efforts to protect the forest to succeed.
rangers on patrol
On Thursday last week at 7:00 am, we met with the rangers based in Bomas camp at a point in the forest called three ways.This is a junction where three forest access road meets. We examined the paths for footprints in order to establish whether somebody has passed there. We could only observe horse and animal footprints and concluded that nobody has passed through that point. At a different point,we laid out strategies to employ just incase we encounter anything in order to be ready to take action. From a distance, a twig cracked and we stealthily went toward the direction only to find an old man Jactone Jakoyo gathering dry twigs. Our target was to get the loggers who cut down trees so we let him go and went on with our mission. We laid an ambush on a certain strategic point where we suspected they would pass. After about two hours four heavily built men carrying hand saws appeared. They passed near where we were and unaware that they are being watched made some calls from their mobile phones directing where they were headed to. We followed them at a distance up to a place where two Vempris simplifolia tree locally known as Munderendu were cut. We waited until they sliced and gathered one head load each as we listened to their conversation which implied that they had cut the tree the previous day. We watched as they helped each other to put the loads on their heads. This was the right time for us to get hold of them! we pounced on them as soon as they started walking toward Kibera slum ,this is part of their ready market. They abruptly dropped their loads and run very fast ,one of them holding his handsaw ready to attack the one who would catch up with him. We however focused with the man who run in a separate direction and managed to arrest him. We returned to where they had dropped the logs and found three handsaws in the loads. We took him to Jamhuri police station to be taken to court the following day for illegal removal of forest product.With Boas Etemesi behind the jail, we knew that his colleagues would keep off the forest for a while, we also knew that, they would eventually attempt to come back but still we would be waiting for them. Not even any kind of threats will deter us for we know that its our duty to ensure that the sanctuary forest is protected at all cost.
Mr Boas Etemesi before being taken to the police station
Ngong Forest Sanctuary, commonly referred to as Nairobi’s carbon sink is protected through the kind donation from friends and well wishers. Kindly be part of the lNgong Sanctuary community by donating to-wards protection of this unique Forest reserve.
By ranger Joseph Karanja
Email: jranjus@yahoo.com
African Crowned Eagle Is Nesting Again
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Sep 25 2009 | By: ngongforest
For a period of two weeks i have been watching the behaviour of the crowned eagle. The female is most of the time confined to the nest while the male goes out to hunt. Sometimes when the male has taken long to come the female calls and after some minutes the male comes back and sit in the nest . It doesn’t take long for the female to come back carrying a young Sykes Monkey which it places in the nest. The male goes out to look for its share. Within some minutes Pied crows and yellow billed kites flies around hoping to get a share from the nest but the crowned eagle is in control and no bird dares to come closer.
African crowned eagle
Last year, nesting was interfered with by rain and cold weather, the egg never hatched and the pair of bird disappeared for a while.This time when you look at the bird you will note some physical changes such as rough feathers , loss of weight and feathers and the bird looks dull. We hope this time conditions will be favourable for hatching.
The Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary Trust,commonly refereed to as the Nairobi’s carbon sink is protected through kind donation from friends and well wishers, join us by donating towards the protection of this adorable forest resource.
By Nicholas Akach
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