URGENT: Sustain a conservancy through the pandemic

Dear supporters,

Thank you very much for your interest and support of Enonkishu Conservancy during this trying time. The wildlife has been amazing in the conservancy and we are trying our best to capture images to keep you informed! Work has carried on and the highlights of Q2 2020 can be found in the attached report.

Enonkishu was greatly affected by the closure of travel to reduce the spread of Covid-19. From March 2020, the conservancy lost all revenue from tourism and although our focus has always been seeking alternative revenue sources (such as livestock), conservancy fees from tourists did provide 75% of our operating expenses in 2019. The loss of our revenue stream was especially poignant considering Enonkishu had to cancel a March fundraiser due to travel and meeting restrictions and the 2020 high season had essentially been cancelled for non-resident tourists. At the end of Q1 2020, the future was bleak as many of our planned revenue sources were uncertain, and the operating expenses were at a minimum to ensure the survival of the conservancy. It became abundantly clear that the operating budget of the conservancy is essential, as incidences of bushmeat poaching and harvesting of natural resources drastically increased. Throughout Q2 2020, projections were calculated and plans were made to optimize our effectiveness in the utilization and securing of vital funds to keep us going. Most importantly, Enonkishu’s conservancy members have been incredibly understanding throughout the crisis.

We have been incredibly fortunate to receive funding from multiple sources with $12,000 raised through GlobalGiving. This funding enabled us to resume normal operations and begin construction on a new ranger camp which had to be relocated after the flood in April. Fundraising must be a new priority until tourism returns to the conservancy’s supporting enterprises, but the response from supporters has been amazing considering everyone is experiencing their own form of financial strife from Covid-19.

Thanks to the generosity of donors and the network of support for Enonkishu, our outlook is much more positive. Kenya has re-opened domestic travel in July 2020 and international travel may re-open as early as August 2020, depending on regulations from specific countries of origin. As with everything right now, all is subject to change, but we are optimistic that there is a plan to continue moving forward in our overall objectives.

We look forward to a recovery of the tourism sector within Kenya so that the conservancy will be able to sustain itself through its original business model, but with adaptations to deal with future crashes in the tourism market. We will strive to work with the Maasai community to ensure more ownership over the conservancy's success as well as further pursuit of alternative revenue sources rather than fully relying on tourism income.

Again, thank you for your generous support and please enjoy the highlights attached.

• Q2_2020_Highlights.pdf (PDF)