Conservation
Guests staying at Samatian Island are contributing through conservancy fees to Ruko Community Conservancy. The conservancy is a way for two warring communities to come together in peace for the interest of the environment and the wildlife in the area.
Ruko Community Conservancy is a community-based organisation, created to support the management of community-owned land for the benefit of household livelihoods and for the conservation and protection of natural resources, particularly the Rothschild’s (Baringo) giraffe. It is home to the Il Chamus and Pokot communities, who work to build strong governance and peace structures, grow diversified local businesses linked to conservation, implement community-led development programmes and manage natural resources for people and wildlife alike.
Bringing People Together
In 2006, elders from the Rugus and Komolion areas of Baringo County came together to find a solution to the long lasting conflict between the Il Chamus and Pokot communities. It was out of this peace gathering that Ruko (a merger of Rugus and Komolion) Community Conservancy was formed, with support and guidance from NRT.
Over 10 years later, the two formerly-warring communities are working together to bring back the glory of Rugus and Komolion through conserving an endangered species; the Rothschild giraffe.
Walking with Giants
This is home to endangered Rothchild’s (formally known as Baringo giraffe). The rangers will be happy to guide you and you can get up close to these extraordinary animals. Ruko has nice areas for evening or morning walks and you can usually get close up to the curious giraffe.
The Work of Ruko Conservancy
The Ruko Community Conservation is committed to the protection of wildlife and the environment, originally it was one piece of land, but was separated by rising lake waters into an island detached from the mainland. The giraffe were living on the island and were moved back over to the mainland.
This was done with the aid of the NRT in 2021.
The relocation of the giraffe featured on the BBC, and a short video of this can be viewed HERE
