NAIROBI, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Ruth Sikeita has nostalgic memories of her childhood when elephants and other iconic wildlife species roamed her ancestral village located near the Amboseli National Park that straddles Kenya-Tanzanian border.
The 26-year-old mother of two used to marvel at the sight of the giant land mammals as they grazed in the nearby forests or open grasslands at a time when local communities co-existed peacefully with wildlife.
Sikeita is a member of young female rangers from the nomadic Maasai community affectionately referred to as "Team Lioness "who are on the frontline of protecting wildlife at the vast Amboseli ecosystem, in spite of disruptions triggered by COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya's tourism sector.
"My day job involves protecting wild animals and ensuring their habitat is safe. We have been on a lockdown in our camps because of COVID-19 but we are not afraid of the disease since we are not interacting much with the outside world," Sikeita said.
The former kindergarten tutor joined team lioness in February 2019 and her nomadic roots gave her a head start when it came to protecting wild animals in their natural habitat.
Sikeita said that her passion for protecting wildlife developed at an early age when her village was put on the world map thanks to countless films that showcased iconic species that ranged from giant mammals to discreet carnivores.
"We literally coexisted with animals back in the day. I remember seeing elephants and buffaloes make strides in the forests where we fetched firewood. I was convinced the creatures had a special place in my life," said Sikeita.
She said the COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted negatively on wildlife conservation thanks to diminished tourism revenue, will not dissuade her from lending support towards protection of the rare species.
"My desire is to protect wildlife, reduce conflicts with communities and eliminate poaching regardless of the challenges we are going through due to COVID-19 disease," said Sikeita.
She is among eight young Maasai women who belong to team lioness fronted by conservation group, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to serve as the first line of defense for wildlife amid threats like poaching, human-wildlife conflict and encroachment on their habitat.
The female community rangers have also devised innovative ways to curb retaliatory attacks on carnivores by herders aggrieved by loss of their livestock.
James Isiche, IFAW's regional director for East Africa, said that promoting the welfare of the pioneer cadre of female community wildlife rangers in the Amboseli ecosystem is key to ensure they protect the wildlife despite COVID-19 risks.
"We are taking every care to ensure that team lioness and all the rangers are kept safe and healthy through observing the government of Kenya and WHO safety protocols," said Isiche.
He said the female rangers are providing a crucial link between communities and managers of conservation groups operating within the Amboseli wildlife corridor amid reduced activities occasioned by COVID-19 disease.
Sharon Nankinyi, a 20-year-old member of team lioness who was also born and raised in a village adjacent to Amboseli National Park, said it has been an exciting experience since becoming a community wildlife ranger in February 2019.
"I find it thrilling every dawn when we wake up, engage in some physical exercises and later conduct patrols inside the park. We usually check on the general condition of the animals and report on the sick ones," said Nankinyi.
She said that wearing green uniform that provides a camouflage for the female rangers has given them confidence to venture into the wildlife sanctuaries.
"We have made a significant contribution to anti-poaching efforts by obtaining intelligence from local community," said Nankinyi, adding that COVID-19 disruptions have not diminished her passion for wildlife protection.
Nankinyi said her colleagues have responded positively to the lockdown occasioned by the viral respiratory disease and always huddle together to share memorable stories about an encounter with a wild animal.
Soila Komiando, a 20-year-old female ranger said that joining team lioness early last year was a game changer since she is now able to meet her basic needs and support her relatives.
The high school graduate said besides acquiring skills in wildlife conservation, the female rangers have also challenged patriarchy that has often stood in the way of progress among girls from nomadic communities.
"We are helping communities improve their relationship with wildlife and have challenged the notion that protection of animals in the wild is a preserve of men," said Komiando. Enditem
