Kora National Park

Background

A lawless and forgotten part of Kenya, the 1700km2 wilderness, now a national park, owes a large part of existence to George Adamson. George, with help from Tony Fitzjohn, spent 18 years rehabilitating lions (30) and leopards (10) in Kora. Their work encompassed the organization and management of the conservation area and development of Kora to National Park Status in 1989. Their tasks included flying patrols, riverine forest protection, installation of communications and workshops, vehicle maintenance, road development and security. Meru National Park and Kora National Park are now physically linked by a bridge which has been built over the Tana River, forming one of the most important ecosystems in Kenya.

In 1989, following the death of George Adamson, Tony Fitzjohn, supported by the George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust (GAWPT), moved to Mkomazi Game Reserve in Tanzania. Mkomazi was recently upgraded to National Park status following an intensive 20 year programme of environmental and infrastructural rehabilitation, endangered species programmes for the black rhino and African wild dog and outreach / educational programmes in the local communities.

Kora National Park

In 2009, KWS sent two of its senior wardens to Mkomazi National Park, Tanzania to see the rehabilitation that has taken place over the past 21 years. The wardens were so impressed with the transformation that the Director of KWS formally invited Tony Fitzjohn and his supporting Trusts back to Kora National Park to undertake a similar rehabilitation programme. Their vision included infrastructural development of the park, animal programmes and education programmes.

The rehabilitation of Kora has begun again. Already, new heavy-duty equipment, funded by Tusk, has been brought in to clear access roads and improve the airstrip. Plans are in place to build a tented camp by the river where visitors will learn about all aspects of Kora, and Kampi ya Simba, George Adamson’s original camp, has been rebuilt. In addition, KWS views Kora as an opportunity to destock overpopulated parks in Kenya and plans to translocate wildlife to Kora once it is reestablished. Fitzjohn has been given the go ahead to rehabilitate lions in the park as he did in George's day.

Community Programmes

GAWPT has implemented an extensive outreach programme in Asako, Madogo and Boka villages, primarily focusing on health, clean water and education. In a joint project, GAWPT and AMREF are providing assistance to Asako village, a nomadic community with no communications, transport, security, water or medical assistance. GAWPT and AMREF have established a medical dispensary as well as Flying Doctor Service clinics. They have purchased and installed a 16 foot windmill pump which has provided the village with access to clean water for domestic and agricultural use. In partnership with the Trust for African Schools, Asako Primary School, with a growing population of 310 students, has been partially refurbished and a solar lighting system has been installed. Madogo Secondary School, a sister secondary school to Asako Primary School, is now being assisted in a similar way.

GAWPT, with support from Tusk Trust, is working to maintain and increase its close commitment to Kora and the village of Asako to ensure the further development of this unique, and virtually unspoilt, piece of northern wilderness.
 

Donate Now!

About Tusk

Join our growing online community on facebook to keep up-to-date with our news