Dana-Phoenix Arizona, on 14 Jun 2008

Joseph, the same driver? What is the fine? Does this fine come out of the driver pocket? Did he come back the same way he came? Did he attend the talk at Kichwa Tembo earlier this week? I think you know why I am asking these questions. Needless to say I am very disappointed in this!!!!

Paula, on 15 Jun 2008

Kimojino, I don’t think a fine is going to make a difference - after all, the driver is getting tips from tourists for being taken on this ‘adventure’. What about blacklisting the driver or suspending him from the park for a period of time (eg 3 months) so that it really hurts, and forcing him to re-take that course on responsible guiding and actually PASSING THE EXAM at the end, PLUS fining the company?

Jan, on 15 Jun 2008

Asante sana for what you are attempting to do.

I must say I agree with Paula. A simple fine probably won’t be enough (Kenya tends to price their fines much too low; i.e.
one year in jail and $163.00 for ivory being found in suitcases at airport - no deterrant at all).

In addition to warning the man that he will be suspended from driving in the reserve, I would contact the camp owner-manager and let him know that if his drivers continue to degrade the environment by driving off-road and in areas marked off by rangers, you will go the the county council and have the lodge/camp shut down for several months because it is imperative that all drivers, scouts, employees follow the rules.
The councils have the authority to close a place down, and I doubt owners/managers want to take a chance on that happening.

Good luck, and please keep us posted.

William, on 16 Jun 2008

Hey everyone.

Kimojino went away today so that’s why he’s been quiet. The fine was 2000 Kes, which is about US $30, and the driver did attend the Responsible Guiding Workshop.

Now that all the resident drivers here in the Mara have either partook in or had the chance to partake in the Workshop the rangers in our Cheetah Vehicles will be more strict when it comes to handing out fines to the drivers.

We have read through all of your suggestions of punishment, and just to let you know, I will email this blog post to the manager of the lodge so that he can read what you have all written.

William, on 16 Jun 2008

Hello Jim

You’re at the right place. What were you expecting to see?

William, on 17 Jun 2008

Hey Jim

Terilyn stopped blogging for the Conservancy many months ago. She went away for a few months, but is now back here at Serena. Do you want me to pass on a message?

Vincent, on 18 Jun 2008

Morning all,

First I do agree with Jan, a USD 30,- IS NOT ENOUGH !!! This driver should have already lost his driving license, at least !
Should this stupid driver overpass the deadline stones again, he would find himself in big troubles and his boss too (kichwa Tembo Manager)
Guys, friends, you are rangers, dedicated to the protection of Wildlife. You all do a wonderful job though difficult conditions BUT you must be more strict. YOU have the Authority to punish this kind of unrespectful behavior.
First I am gonna send a @ to the manager of Kichwa Tembo to announce him that I (and a few friends planning to go to Mara)shall NEVER use his services and I am gonna advise a few French operators I know here that this company is to be avoided until it follow the rules.
Second, I am gonna write to Steve Fitzgerald from CC Africa Management (ceo@ccafrica.com. - Conservation Corporation Africa) to tell him about the very problem with Kichwa Tembo. It may not lead to put Kitchwa Tembo onto the red list but I do think he may pay a little attention to it anyway.

Wish you a very good day my friends
Vincent

Jim from Mass USA, on 18 Jun 2008

TO: William … thank you.

Jim from Mass USA, on 19 Jun 2008

If I may offer a suggestion … spammers scan blogs for email addresses looking for “@” … you might post email addresses as … “Niall dot Anderson at ccafrica dot com to avoid having the email address spammed.

Vincent, on 20 Jun 2008

Morning everyone,

Thank you Niall for giving us an evidence of your concern.
My previous comment sounded like I did loose my nerves (I know this) so I apologize for any offense. That was not my intention and I was probably wrong to charge Kichwa Tembo provided that one individual was guilty. Sorry Niall about that but you know, my day began with this sad new and I did just feel so angry on the very moment !
I guess the way my comment was just ignored means my “instinctive reaction” was not shared here. I am ok with it now. I do also hope both Will and Joseph were not offended when I was urging them to be more strict. I know they know better than me and moreover, they are in Mara everyday and I am here. Was not my intention either guys. There are things sometimes in life that just get you so upset then you feel like you have to give up neutral comments and use more direct ones to explain what you feel. The soft way and the rude way, depends on everyone’s personality, on mood, and on the situation. And it is true that yesterday, I was about to report the problem in anyway I was able to.

Have a good day
Vincent

Marleen van Buuren, on 23 Jun 2008

First of all people are making mistakes, it’s probably an accident or a mistake that the ranger truly regrets, if you have ever visit a ccafrica camp then you will know that the rangers are very well trained and that they love the nature and his inhabitants. So take it easy, let him learn of his mistake so he don’t do it again. It’s sad that this happened but this is a lesson for him and for all of us!

So now my replay on the reaction of Vincent (june 18th) I think your reaction is much to heavy, be a man and let the ranger show us that he learn a lot of his mistake! I don’t think that this is a reason for not going to Kichwa Tembo, it’s such a beautiful camp, I think this is a good reason for visiting the camp so then you can see how good those rangers are!!!
So be nice, be a man and enjoy the beauty of Africa, that’s much more important then this accident!!!

Believe me I love Africa, I’m dutch but Africa is second home, go and see the beauty of the Masai, but this is not a reason for not going to a camp because there works a ranger that made a mistake, if I did that what you are planning to do than I can’t sleep anymore in any lodge in Africa!!!

Debbie, on 24 Jun 2008

I also find it interesting that the photo has now being removed from this website.

I can understand that this particular camp does not want this kind of bad publicity but park rules are broken so many times by the drivers that I am not surprised that the Mara Conservancy has resorted to using this site as a way of addressing the problem.

I don’t think it is fair that this type of censorship occurs, if you want to correct a problem you should not hide it. Instead you should show what you are doing to make changes.