A day in the life of a wild dog researcher
6:00am: Early start. We’re looking for the Phoenix pack. A pack of six wild dogs that spend most of their time within the confines of Mpala. Almost 10 years ago a devastating disease outbreak killed nearly every wild dog across the Laikipia landscape. A female dog (subsequently named Phoenix as she was the one to
The role of African elephant and Olive baboons in the seed dispersal of Invasive Opuntia species
My project investigates the role of African elephants and Olive baboons in the seed dispersal of invasive Opuntia species within the Ewaso ecosystem . Invasive Opuntia, particularly Opuntia stricta and Opuntia engelmannii, have increasingly spread across rangelands and wildlife habitats, threatening biodiversity, reducing grazing land, and affecting both wildlife and local communities. Understanding how wildlife […]
A perspective on the last 25 years at Mpala: an uncorrelated random walk
I never was one of these kids who dreamt of working in Africa. I spent lots of time at my grandparents’ farm catching snakes and making plaster casts of raccoon and coyote tracks; I also spent lots of time looking at field guides. I watched PBS Nature specials on savanna wildlife, but working in East […]
Mpala Hosts its First Early-Career Networking and Skills Session
Led by PI Jake Goheen, Mpala hosted the first session in its new summer early-career networking and skills series on Thursday, 21 May. The session focused on how to deliver an effective research presentation and brought together students, researchers and staff members for professional development, mentorship and community building.
The University of Manchester Research Group Creates Anthelmintic Resistance Awareness Videos
Researchers from The University of Manchester have released a series of animated awareness videos focused on anthelmintic resistance. Produced in English, Maa, Kiswahili and Kinyarwanda, the short videos aim to support community education around livestock health and sustainable parasite management practices. English: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9at0NxxTseA Maa: https://youtube.com/shorts/gLS5X-ZoA_U?feature=share Kiswahili: https://youtube.com/shorts/lvkfw7YnEvc?feature=share
Princeton LISD Students Publish Global Voices Article on the Lekiji Community
Princeton LISD students Cooper and Sydney published an article in Global Voices highlighting the Lekiji community and their experiences. The piece was developed with support from Mpala staff and community members, including valuable contributions from Fardosa, helping bring attention to local perspectives and stories from Laikipia. Read the article: https://globalvoices.org/2026/05/14/how-one-kenyan-community-is-building-a-new-future-on-reclaimed-ground/
Featured staff: Steve Karuri Wangari
Tell us about your background. Where are you from? What brought you to Mpala? What have been some of your previous roles? My home background is in Nyeri, Karatina. I came to Mpala in search of work. I faced many struggles back at home because I am an orphan, so I was looking for ways […]
Meet our Researchers: Grace Davis
Tell us about your background. Where are you from? What brought you to Mpala? Where have you previously studied or conducted research? I’m a behavioral ecologist and evolutionary biologist interested in how collective behavior and decision-making emerge in wild social animals. I’m especially curious about how individuals in structured social groups navigate ecological and social challenges—such
Severely Wounded Elephant Calf with Snare is Captured and Treated
A young elephant calf, badly wounded by a poacher’s snare around its leg, is sighted on Mpala. Kenya Wildlife Service vets and Mpala rangers race to dart, treat and free the animal before infection sets in.
Meet our staff: Beatrice Chepkoech
Tell us about your background. Where are you from? What brought you to Mpala? What have been some of your previous roles? I come from Rumuruti, an area in Western Laikipia. I used to work as a room steward in a hotel in Rumuruti called El Paraiso. I had a friend who worked at Mpala,