Research Summary
Samburu-Laikipia Region, Kenya – This East African nation is known for its abundant wildlife and inviting savannah landscapes, vast regions of sun-soaked earth and grass with mountains looming on the horizon. The Samburu people, traditionally nomadic, have coexisted with a diversity of wildlife for hundreds of years, but growing human populations and changing lifestyles put both people and wildlife at risk.
Facing the challenge of preserving natural resources while building stronger economies, Kenyans possess rich cultural traditions and emerging scientific expertise. You can help the Samburu people use these traditions as well as the latest research to benefit both human and wildlife communities.
Meet the Scientists
Dr. Nicholas O. Oguge
Field Director, Earthwatch Institute
Dr. Oguge, Field Director, Samburu Field Center, Earthwatch Institute. In 2003, Dr. Oguge was a Fulbright Fellow at Duke University, but a call from Earthwatch provided him with an opportunity to return to his homeland of Kenya. Dr. Oguge was born in 1960 in Nairobi, Kenya and was educated at the University of Nairobi. He received his Ph.D. in eco-physiology from Lincoln University in New Zealand and was Chair of the Zoology Department at Kenyatta University prior to his appointment at Duke University.
Dr. Paul Kimata Muoria
African Wildlife Foundation
Dr. Muoria, 38, Principal Investigator. Dr. Muoria has been a research scientist with National Museums of Kenya since 1993. He has extensive field experience, having worked on different mammals including baboons, elephants, and the endangered Tana River Crested mangabeys and red colobus. His areas of interest include animal ecology, conservation and human-wildlife conflicts. In addition, Dr. Muoria has worked as an Earthwatch volunteer on two projects: South African Wildlife (August/September 2002) and Zebras of Kenya (January 2003).