Building a Sustainable Management System for Maasai Mara National Reserve: Understanding Staff and Community Members Perceptions of the Management of the MMNR and their Attitudes toward Wildlife, Conservation, and Environmental Issues

Abstract

The Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) is a world-renowned wildlife reserve and conservation area that has global significance because of its concentration of flora and fauna. Narok County Government administer this delicate national resource. It has brought fame to Kenya and is a key generator of revenue for the County and the entire Republic of Kenya. It serves as a centerpiece for tourism in Kenya (Hallo, Maghenda, Smith, ole Reson, Thiruaine, Mwalugongo, Bidu, Booth, & Achieno, 2011). However, this fragile environmental resource requires constant care and attention to ensure that it is not in jeopardy of being permanently degraded to the point that the global community loses one of its most significant resources. The potential loss of biodiversity in the MMNR will seriously impact the entire ecosystem having environmental, social, and economic effects across the region, continent and world (UNESCO, 2010). The key to its survival is the development of an adaptive and responsive management system that addresses the needs of both humans and wildlife, reflects the customs and traditions of Kenya, is sensitive to the changes in circumstances within and surrounding the MMNR, and that employs best practices in parks and protected area management ensuring the long-term viability of this global treasure. The project herein reported, relates to an initial effort to document MMNR staff and community members’ perceptions of the management of the MMNR and their overall attitudes toward wildlife, conservation, and environmental issues. This effort supports the overarching purpose to create a sustainable management system for the MMNR for which this project team is seeking additional support and funding. Thus, the present study was undertaken to accomplish the following three objectives: 1. To identify and document staff perspectives of management practices and challenges in the MMNR. 2. To measure the cultural context for conservation and management of the MMNR in communities around the MMNR. 3. To provide evidence of capacity to support future and more comprehensive research and management plan development activities.