Friends of Conservation
Southcombe Business Centre 11-12 Southcombe Street London W14 0RA
Tel: 020 7348 3408
Email: focinfo@aol.com
Conservation Issue
The wildlife of East Africa is an essential and irreplaceable part of our global heritage but it faces
increasing risk as a result of growing demand for land, food and modern development. FOC takes a
pro-active role in protecting endangered species and their eco-systems and working with all parties to
promote conservation.
FOC’s fieldwork is currently managed from three Community Conservation Centre areas surrounding
the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Through these
centres, FOC works to promote a balance between
the needs of local people and those of the wildlife with which they share their habitat and environment.
Increasing pressures on the Masai Mara threatens many species of wildlife as well as the habitat
they rely on to survive.
Wildlife
Wildlife management has always been the keynote of FOC’s work. Our flagship wildlife
monitoring and protection programme was instigated in 1982 when rhino numbers in the Masai
Mara were at an all time low. The programme was very successful and now exists through the
Masai Mara’s management body.
FOC is also involved in and raises funds for: anti-poaching activities, veterinary support and
mammal censuses programmes which we carry out with in partnership with local
organisations.
One of FOC’s main campaigns on the Masai Mara is the FOC Environmental Management
campaign where the emphasis is placed on finding practical applications and management
solutions for land, wildlife, water, forests and other natural resources that are under pressure
in the areas surrounding the Masai Mara.
FOC began working with communities in early 1990 when it became apparent that there was
little conservation and environmental assistance available for the Maasai surrounding the
Reserve. The Maasai who had been pastoralist up until the 1960’s, were realising the
difficulties and pressures placed on an environment when long term settlement occurred. FOC
therefore developed an Environmental Management and Education campaign to assist local
communities in conserving their land, wildlife and natural resources. FOC’s work currently
includes educating and training local communities; both adults and school children in utilising
their environment as a natural, renewable resource for economic benefit.
