Kimbilio@Kisampa
Goal:
To develop a wildlife rehabilitation facility in collaboration with local and international academic institutions, with the intent to reintroduce injured, sick or orphaned animals into the wild.
To capacity build research and knowledge of wildlife veterinary sciences for local Tanzanians.
Background:
Kimbilio is the Kiswahili word for refuge – a place where sick, injured and/or orphaned wild animals will be cared for until they can return to the wild.
Kisampa Conservancy is leased from Matipwili Village to conduct sustainable community development activities and conserve the 60sq kilometers Kisampa now covers. Managing Director Robert Barbour started Kisampa with a vision to increase the standard of living of villagers in surrounding communities through the development of environmentally sound conservation. Since starting in 2003, Matipwili villagers have supported Kisampa Conservancy’s wildlife and environmental management. Matipwili residents are employed at Kisampa and have developed skills in hospitality, wildlife management, and anti-poaching activities.
Kisampa is now partnering with Tuende Pamoja, also founded by the Barbour Family, in order to start a new project to further benefit the conservancy and the surrounding villages.
Proposal:
Tuende Pamoja proposes the construction and operation of a wildlife refuge and rehabilitation center on Kisampa Conservancy land. Limited human activity and the small carbon footprint lodge of the existing conservation area is enough to provide rehabilitation and refuge space in a natural habitat ideal for rescue and rehabilitation of ill, injured or orphaned wildlife. Experienced wildlife rehabilitation staff currently resides at Kisampa and are immediately available to train local villagers and construct basic facilities. A major international academic partner is sought for collaboration with a local veterinary or wildlife training institution in Tanzania. The collaborative effort will give international credibility to the project and as a result Kisampa may become a field base for teaching and research; with the main objectives of the project being learning and education.
The refuge and rehabilitation area would be small scope yet provide employment and business development opportunities in surrounding local communities. The village of Matipwili has benefited significantly during the 17 years of operation through increased educational opportunities for children, improved medical support and the development of local businesses. The community already realizes the economic value of maintaining the conservation area.
Why kisampa?
There are few sanctuaries in Tanzania with stable facilities to meet the needs of ill, injured and orphaned wildlife. Kisampa Conservancy is ideally situated to assist in protecting and rehabilitating wildlife in the Saadani ecosystem. Wildlife sightings by Kisampa staff and visitors have increased including views of previously unconfirmed Caracal, Serval, and Cape Clawless Otter. Hippo population is increasing in lakes, there are regular elephant night and day sightings and cameras have captured leopard, porcupines, spotted hyena, civet, buffalo, bushbuck, and warthogs among other species. There has been a significant drop in the number of wire snares collected and livestock incursions. Patrols by villagers have resulted in fewer snares (50 in 12 months and 104 wildlife patrols during the period of 01/08/2017 – 01/09/2018.
