Overview of the project:

Volunteers at this project work directly with the Maasai Tribes of Kenya. Working with the Maasai people is a rare privilege that most volunteers would never experience and they are some of the best people to learn about African culture from. This is a great opportunity to interact with local people and teach them how to live in harmony with the elephants, as well as learning field study techniques and the vital aspects of elephant conservation to ensure their protection. Participating in Maasai Elephant Project is a truly unique experience to encounter wild African Elephants around the Amboseli National Park in Kenya . Away from the hustle of Nairobi and crowded central safari routes, this project is one of the most inviting combinations for any volunteer to the region. The huge array of wildlife, along with the most welcoming, friendly people make this a 'must-do' volunteering opportunity.  

Research Objectives:

The Maasai Elephant Project in Kenya provides volunteers the opportunity to work directly with the local people as well as the conservation societies of Kenya . The Maasai Elephant Project aims to ensure the long-term conservation and welfare of Kenyan elephants in the context of human needs and pressures through scientific research, training, community outreach and public awareness. Therefore, the objectives of the Maasai Elephant Project are:

.  To initiate, support and ensure the continuation of key elephant research projects across the Amboseli National Park in Kenya .
.  To reduce illegal poaching practice by increasing the local people's participation in elephant conservation projects.
.  To reduce the local conflict of elephant conservation.
.  To discourage the illegal export of elephant products.
.  To create an enabled environment in which government agencies and communities can jointly regulate resource use.
.  To balance the supply-and-demand factors that impact t elephant conservation.
.  The reduction of the reliance on livestock as the sole means of income.

Project/Volunteers' Life:

Volunteers in this project will get a rewarding opportunity which will include:

.  Data collection together with community game scouts.
.  Track and record elephants and other wildlife species opportunistically on fixed transects.
.  Count elephant numbers and record their location using a GPS.
.  Record numbers and location of other large mammals within their locality.

In addition to conservation work, volunteers may also be asked to participate with several social activities of awareness, including anti-poaching activities, the illegal supplying of elephant products, encouraging elephant conservation activities, as well as raising awareness on self-reliant activities which include producing agriculture products and reducing hunting activities. Other activities volunteers may be assigned to and/or and participate in are community development projects such as building, working in schools and medical clinics.

Benefits to volunteers:

The Maasai Elephant Project needs much assistance. Therefore, volunteers are greatly needed in this project. By volunteering in this project, you will have a rewarding opportunity to conduct social research, study African culture as well as extensive experiences with wild animals. In addition to this, volunteer learn in-depth techniques pertaining to anthropological and sociological research - acquiring abundant knowledge of African Elephants.