I was one of four St. Lawrence University students who came to Mpala this past April, participating in a month-long attachment. My stay at Mpala was short, but the experiences I gained during my time there will last me a lifetime. Lucy and I arrived from Zanzibar, bringing the rain with us. We were warmly welcomed and instantly felt at home as we settled in and got ready to start working with the different research teams. We primarily worked with the Vulturine Guinea Fowl Project and the Baboon Research Project, switching back and forth between them. Outside of this, we were able to join other researchers to learn more about the different projects and initiatives taking place at Mpala.

For us, mornings that started with a 5:30 a.m. wake-up promised two things: a bright orange sky and quality time with the Guinea Fowl. The view of Mount Kenya usually wasn’t too bad either. Getting to see what the Guinea Fowl team did every day was unforgettable. I got to spend a lot of time working with the fabulous researchers Flo, Kennedy, and Micah. Whether we were out collecting samples, surveying, or just having conversations while driving around, I was always learning something new. I could ask a question about any of the birds we drove past, and they were always able to tell me all about them. I was even able to watch a live capture, after which a GPS tracker was attached to the bird.

We also got a glimpse into the world of baboons, primarily by setting up and baiting traps. One of my favorite days at Mpala was going to Loisaba Conservancy with Naisikie and Zakayo from the baboon team. It was one of our last days at Mpala, and we were quickly approaching our final week in Kenya. We drove around the conservancy, setting up new traps and baiting existing ones with maize. The following day was spent driving around Ol Jogi Conservancy, scouting out new places to set up traps with Matt and Edward. I really came to appreciate how typical fieldwork became an adventure, and I was lucky to experience the beauty of Laikipia in this way.

The long drives were always the perfect time to reflect on the range of knowledge and memories I had gained during my time at Mpala. There were certainly a lot of “firsts” involved. I saw my first black leopard, hyena, male lion, and Grevy’s zebra. I experienced my first sundowner and my first bush dinner. I also had the opportunity to meet people from all over Kenya, as well as other parts of the world. Everyone I met was incredibly intelligent and knowledgeable about their field of study. Even conversations after dinner became opportunities for me to learn something new. The best part was how friendly and welcoming everyone was, especially when it came to sharing what they were working on.

My advice to anyone planning to visit Mpala is to get involved in as many projects as possible, even if it’s just for a day. As someone who was relatively new to fieldwork, I found that simply accompanying researchers in their daily tasks was an incredibly valuable experience. Ask as many questions as you can and enjoy everything that Mpala has to offer! It’s a place where strangers quickly become friends, and somewhere I hope to return to soon.

By Ella Narins, Undergraduate Student from St. Lawrence University participating in the Kenya Semester Program