Colman shines at the 1st Wildlife Scientific Conference in Kenya!
Here at Reteti, we believe that our strength lies in our community. Every day, we strive to champion the delicate balance of human-wildlife coexistence, particularly focusing on our rescued and rehabilitated elephant calves. Therefore, we couldn’t be more proud when our intrepid resident researcher, Colman Lesowapir, recently took center stage at the inaugural Wildlife Scientific Conference of the Wildlife Research & Training Institute (WRTI) in Naivasha in Kenya.
Colman presented a talk titled, “Behaviour of rescued and rehabilitated elephant (Loxodonta africana) calves in Kenya with an eye toward release success” – which was a testament to the depth and breadth of the research and care we invest in our elephants. Sharing more about his daily work as an elephant researcher, he highlighted the three main objectives of his research – which focuses on understanding and tracking the growth of elephant calves, and their readiness for rewilding.
Objective 1: Develop a deep understanding of each calf’s personality to aid successful rewilding.
At Reteti, understanding each calf’s unique personality is crucial for successful rewilding. Every elephant here has a story, and Colman emphasised how our process of identifying them through their unique features, tusks, and body irregularities ensures that they are treated with the individual attention they deserve.
He also explained our approach to observing calves for extended periods, called Focal Follows – and noted both aggressive interactions (like pushing), and friendly interactions (such as trunk grasps, playful headrests, smelling, trunk-to-mouth touching, and body rubs), which indicate their readiness to thrive in their natural habitat.
Objective 2: Monitor the health of calves as they move through rehabilitation so we know whether management changes are needed.
Colman constantly monitors the health of all our elephants – doing everything from faecal sample analyses to checking body condition scores. This ensures that any potential issues are identified and addressed promptly, safeguarding the well-being of our beloved calves.
Below are images of Colman busy with dung collection and parasite egg counts.
Objective 3: Increase our research skills so we can lead wildlife conservation research in the future.
We are deeply committed to staying at the forefront of wildlife conservation. During his presentation, Colman put the spotlight on our extensive data collection efforts, analytical approaches using R coding and EarthRanger, continuous engagement with the wider scientific community, as well as our contributions through published research articles.
Closing Words of Wisdom: Dr. David Nkedianye’s Call to Action
As the curtains came down on the conference, Dr. David Nkedianye, Chairperson of WRTI, shared a powerful message that resonated deeply with all in attendance. He underscored the urgency of mentoring the next generation of researchers, drawing attention to the concerning decline in wildlife populations. Dr. Nkedianye’s call for innovative thinking, proactive solutions, and immediate action was a reminder of our collective responsibility.
His words encapsulated the spirit of the conference and our shared mission: “Together, we embark on a journey of conservation and renewal. Together, we've set the stage for a sustainable future, one where wildlife thrives, policies transform, and communities prosper.”
A Note of Gratitude
To see Colman represent Reteti and share his work was truly heartwarming. His dedication reflects the passion that drives each one of us at the sanctuary. As we continue our mission, we remain grateful for the opportunity to contribute to global dialogues on wildlife conservation, and thank WRTI and its esteemed leaders like Dr. Nkedianye for providing such a platform.
We are beyond proud of Colman and look forward to many more achievements, collaborations, and milestones in our shared journey of wildlife conservation.
