By David Western

Introduction
Rangeland ecosystems face enormous biophysical, sociocultural and economic changes at an unprecedented rate. Frequent droughts are disrupting the lives of herders, leaving them destitute and unable to cope with the changing times. The Amboseli ecosystem illustrates the many changes affecting herders and their livelihoods. The hardships call for monitoring and identifying the losses, coping mechanisms and best practices in order to build drought resilience.

We have conducted a comprehensive survey to detail the perceived causes, impacts, and responses to the 2022-2023 drought relative to earlier droughts. A well-informed management strategy depends on a clear understanding of the pastoral production systems and coping strategies. The survey by the Amboseli Conservation Program (ACP) was conducted by Sakimba Kimiti and the ACC Resource Assessors (RAs) across the Amboseli ecosystem. The survey was designed to assess livestock losses, social disruption, management strategies, best practices, and pointers to the future sustainability of open rangelands.

The survey findings give valuable pointers to stakeholders in Amboseli to better ecosystem planning and management, and ways to improve drought resilience in the pastoral lands.

Levels of conflicts reported by herders. Lions (32%), hyenas (30%) and elephants (28%) were seen as the main cause of conflict. Cheetah, buffaloes and wildebeest caused relative minor conflict.

Download full report included in the second issue of the Amboseli Conservation Bulletin

By David Western, Victor N. Mose* , David Maitumo, Winfridah Kemunto, Sakimba Kimiti, Immaculate Ombongi, Samuel Lekanaiya, Paul Kasaine and Sunte Kimiti

May 20, 2026

As a result of the unseasonal rains in January to April, conditions in Amboseli have changed from a severe drought

By Victor N. Mose

May 12, 2026

Staff at the Embassy of Kenya in Vienna were treated to an “elephant show” following Angela Mumbi’s presentation

By Victor N. Mose

April 4, 2026

The MOSAIC meeting in Montpellier focused on practical solutions for shared environmental and health challenges

Post-Drought Perceptions of Herders on Livestock Production in the Amboseli Ecosystem: Impacts, Coping Strategies, and Future Sustainability

Authored by : David Western
Posted on September 5, 2023

Introduction
Rangeland ecosystems face enormous biophysical, sociocultural and economic changes at an unprecedented rate. Frequent droughts are disrupting the lives of herders, leaving them destitute and unable to cope with the changing times. The Amboseli ecosystem illustrates the many changes affecting herders and their livelihoods. The hardships call for monitoring and identifying the losses, coping mechanisms and best practices in order to build drought resilience.

We have conducted a comprehensive survey to detail the perceived causes, impacts, and responses to the 2022-2023 drought relative to earlier droughts. A well-informed management strategy depends on a clear understanding of the pastoral production systems and coping strategies. The survey by the Amboseli Conservation Program (ACP) was conducted by Sakimba Kimiti and the ACC Resource Assessors (RAs) across the Amboseli ecosystem. The survey was designed to assess livestock losses, social disruption, management strategies, best practices, and pointers to the future sustainability of open rangelands.

The survey findings give valuable pointers to stakeholders in Amboseli to better ecosystem planning and management, and ways to improve drought resilience in the pastoral lands.

Levels of conflicts reported by herders. Lions (32%), hyenas (30%) and elephants (28%) were seen as the main cause of conflict. Cheetah, buffaloes and wildebeest caused relative minor conflict.

Download full report included in the second issue of the Amboseli Conservation Bulletin

By David Western

Introduction
Rangeland ecosystems face enormous biophysical, sociocultural and economic changes at an unprecedented rate. Frequent droughts are disrupting the lives of herders, leaving them destitute and unable to cope with the changing times. The Amboseli ecosystem illustrates the many changes affecting herders and their livelihoods. The hardships call for monitoring and identifying the losses, coping mechanisms and best practices in order to build drought resilience.

We have conducted a comprehensive survey to detail the perceived causes, impacts, and responses to the 2022-2023 drought relative to earlier droughts. A well-informed management strategy depends on a clear understanding of the pastoral production systems and coping strategies. The survey by the Amboseli Conservation Program (ACP) was conducted by Sakimba Kimiti and the ACC Resource Assessors (RAs) across the Amboseli ecosystem. The survey was designed to assess livestock losses, social disruption, management strategies, best practices, and pointers to the future sustainability of open rangelands.

The survey findings give valuable pointers to stakeholders in Amboseli to better ecosystem planning and management, and ways to improve drought resilience in the pastoral lands.

Levels of conflicts reported by herders. Lions (32%), hyenas (30%) and elephants (28%) were seen as the main cause of conflict. Cheetah, buffaloes and wildebeest caused relative minor conflict.

Download full report included in the second issue of the Amboseli Conservation Bulletin

By David Western, Victor N. Mose* , David Maitumo, Winfridah Kemunto, Sakimba Kimiti, Immaculate Ombongi, Samuel Lekanaiya, Paul Kasaine and Sunte Kimiti

May 20, 2026

As a result of the unseasonal rains in January to April, conditions in Amboseli have changed from a severe drought

By Victor N. Mose

May 12, 2026

Staff at the Embassy of Kenya in Vienna were treated to an “elephant show” following Angela Mumbi’s presentation

By Victor N. Mose

April 4, 2026

The MOSAIC meeting in Montpellier focused on practical solutions for shared environmental and health challenges

Posted on September 5, 2023

By David Western

Introduction
Rangeland ecosystems face enormous biophysical, sociocultural and economic changes at an unprecedented rate. Frequent droughts are disrupting the lives of herders, leaving them destitute and unable to cope with the changing times. The Amboseli ecosystem illustrates the many changes affecting herders and their livelihoods. The hardships call for monitoring and identifying the losses, coping mechanisms and best practices in order to build drought resilience.

We have conducted a comprehensive survey to detail the perceived causes, impacts, and responses to the 2022-2023 drought relative to earlier droughts. A well-informed management strategy depends on a clear understanding of the pastoral production systems and coping strategies. The survey by the Amboseli Conservation Program (ACP) was conducted by Sakimba Kimiti and the ACC Resource Assessors (RAs) across the Amboseli ecosystem. The survey was designed to assess livestock losses, social disruption, management strategies, best practices, and pointers to the future sustainability of open rangelands.

The survey findings give valuable pointers to stakeholders in Amboseli to better ecosystem planning and management, and ways to improve drought resilience in the pastoral lands.

Levels of conflicts reported by herders. Lions (32%), hyenas (30%) and elephants (28%) were seen as the main cause of conflict. Cheetah, buffaloes and wildebeest caused relative minor conflict.

Download full report included in the second issue of the Amboseli Conservation Bulletin

Recent Posts

By Victor N. Mose

May 22, 2026

Herders in Amboseli gathered under the shade of an acacia tree for a parliamentary style debate on co-production.

By David Western, Victor N. Mose* , David Maitumo, Winfridah Kemunto, Sakimba Kimiti, Immaculate Ombongi, Samuel Lekanaiya, Paul Kasaine and Sunte Kimiti

May 20, 2026

As a result of the unseasonal rains in January to April, conditions in Amboseli have changed from a severe drought

By Victor N. Mose

May 12, 2026

Staff at the Embassy of Kenya in Vienna were treated to an “elephant show” following Angela Mumbi’s presentation

By Victor N. Mose

April 4, 2026

The MOSAIC meeting in Montpellier focused on practical solutions for shared environmental and health challenges

By Victor N. Mose

March 18, 2026

Project MOSAIC has launched community-driven One Health Clubs in Amboseli to strengthen local action on resources.

By David Western

February 25, 2026

The greatest wildlife spectacles on earth are the migrations of large mammals and birds.

By David Western

December 5, 2025

Short rains failed in Oct to Nov 2025 and heavy post-drought stocking pushed pastures from green to red.

By David Western

November 27, 2025

The handing back of Amboseli National Park to Kajiado County management on 8th November 2025

By ACP Team

July 26, 2025

Our Amboseli Conservation Program Outlook Report gives the state of pastures, livestock, and wildlife health.

By Victor Mose

June 9, 2025

Horizontal learning, where local communities and scientists co-design research, remains a central pillar of Mosaic

Contact Us

Amboseli Conservation Program
P.O Box 15289-00509 or 62844-00200
Nairobi, Kenya.

Tel/Fax: +254 20 891360 / 891751
Email: acc@acc.or.ke