Mara North Conservancy Rabies Project
Rabies is a viral disease fatal to animals and humans alike. All mammals are susceptible to this deadly infection, including wildlife, domestic animals, carnivores, and grazing animals. The disease is spread by bite wounds, so it can easily be transmitted between different types of animals sharing the Maasai Mara. About 59,000 people die from rabies around the world every year, and almost half of the victims are children. Virtually all human rabies deaths result from dog bites, and a substantial number of these fatalities occur annually in Kenya.
In Mara North Conservancy, land is shared in an effort to balance the need for grazing lands for Maasai livestock and wildlife conservation that is vital to tourism and to the Kenyan economy. At this interface between civilization and wilderness, Maasai dogs act as makeshift mediators. Dogs play a critical role in protecting Maasai families and their grazing herds from the large carnivores (lions, hyenas, cheetahs, leopards) living on the Mara. Dogs not vaccinated against rabies can expose wildlife, livestock, humans, and other dogs to lethal rabies infection. Keeping dogs rabies-free helps to preserve the fragile health of the entire Maasai Mara ecosystem.
In Mara North Conservancy, land is shared in an effort to balance the need for grazing lands for Maasai livestock and wildlife conservation that is vital to tourism and to the Kenyan economy. At this interface between civilization and wilderness, Maasai dogs act as makeshift mediators. Dogs play a critical role in protecting Maasai families and their grazing herds from the large carnivores (lions, hyenas, cheetahs, leopards) living on the Mara. Dogs not vaccinated against rabies can expose wildlife, livestock, humans, and other dogs to lethal rabies infection. Keeping dogs rabies-free helps to preserve the fragile health of the entire Maasai Mara ecosystem.
Involvement of the community is important
Fortunately, rabies is completely preventable through vaccination. Mara North Conservancy Rabies Project is working to vaccinate dogs and cats living in and around Mara North Conservancy. Some vaccinations are performed door to door, as many homesteads are remote, and owners lack transportation for their dogs. In more populated areas, mobile clinics are organized to vaccinate large numbers of dogs and cats at a single location.
In addition, Mara North Conservancy Rabies Project veterinary staff visit area schools to teach children about prevention of dog bites and rabies. As children are so often the victims, it is paramount that they learn how to avoid being bitten and understand the importance of wound cleansing to prevent rabies if they are bitten. School children receive training about responsible dog ownership, veterinary care, dog behavior, preventing dog bites, treatment of dog bites, and the dangers of rabies. Educating children creates a strong future work force and saves lives by increasing rabies awareness in local communities.
Mara North Conservancy Rabies Project is committed to eliminating rabies in and around Mara North Conservancy by providing rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats and rabies education for children in local schools. Karen Blixen Camp Trust supports the veterinary staff of Mara North Conservancy Rabies Project to conduct anti-rabies vaccination and education activities. In addition to Karen Blixen Camp Trust, Mara North Conservancy Rabies Project is supported by Boehringer Ingelheim and Global Alliance for Rabies Control.
Mara North Conservancy Rabies Project has developed as an outgrowth of the work originally started by Mara North Conservancy Dog Project to provide veterinary services including surgery, vaccination, and deworming area working dogs. Both projects, along with the Mara North Conservancy Cat Project, will continue in harmony to bring veterinary care to both dogs and cats. By preventing rabies in dogs, vaccination also protects humans, Maasai livestock, and Kenyan wildlife, thereby playing a role in sustaining Mara North Conservancy, local Maasai livelihoods, and the Kenyan tourism economy. These initiatives protect the health of local wildlife, domestic animals, and humans, and they help to sustain the natural environment we all share.
In addition, Mara North Conservancy Rabies Project veterinary staff visit area schools to teach children about prevention of dog bites and rabies. As children are so often the victims, it is paramount that they learn how to avoid being bitten and understand the importance of wound cleansing to prevent rabies if they are bitten. School children receive training about responsible dog ownership, veterinary care, dog behavior, preventing dog bites, treatment of dog bites, and the dangers of rabies. Educating children creates a strong future work force and saves lives by increasing rabies awareness in local communities.
Mara North Conservancy Rabies Project is committed to eliminating rabies in and around Mara North Conservancy by providing rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats and rabies education for children in local schools. Karen Blixen Camp Trust supports the veterinary staff of Mara North Conservancy Rabies Project to conduct anti-rabies vaccination and education activities. In addition to Karen Blixen Camp Trust, Mara North Conservancy Rabies Project is supported by Boehringer Ingelheim and Global Alliance for Rabies Control.
Mara North Conservancy Rabies Project has developed as an outgrowth of the work originally started by Mara North Conservancy Dog Project to provide veterinary services including surgery, vaccination, and deworming area working dogs. Both projects, along with the Mara North Conservancy Cat Project, will continue in harmony to bring veterinary care to both dogs and cats. By preventing rabies in dogs, vaccination also protects humans, Maasai livestock, and Kenyan wildlife, thereby playing a role in sustaining Mara North Conservancy, local Maasai livelihoods, and the Kenyan tourism economy. These initiatives protect the health of local wildlife, domestic animals, and humans, and they help to sustain the natural environment we all share.
