Aberdare Electric Fence Construction

The epic undertaking to build a 400km long game-proof electric fence around the Aberdare Ecosystem has been completed. Started in 1989, the fence has been constructed in 8 distinct phases, plus an additional section dubbed the Kipipiri Extra Section. The fence was completed on 28 August 2009, and fully encircles a 2,000 square kilometre ecosystem

Aberdare Electric Fence Maintenance

The fence requires a high level of maintenance that includes:

• A team of trained game rangers to monitor the wildlife inside the fence
• Locally engaged maintenance teams to keep the fence clear of vegetation and repair any damage
• Personnel to man the entry gates
• A fleet of patrol vehicles
• A radio communication network
• Solar power systems for the electrification of the fence

Fund Raising

Since its 1988 inception Rhino Ark has raised over Ksh.750 million (US $ 10 million) for construction and maintenance of the fence.

"The fund raising effort escalates with every passing year and although most of the money is donated by individual Kenyans, increasing numbers of overseas visitors and friends of Kenya are now supporting the scheme," says Colin Church, Management Committee Chairman.

The cornerstone of our fund raising effort is the annual Rhino Charge event. Rhino Chargers have demonstrated astonishing fund raise energy. Since 2003, funds raised from the Charge have been apportioned between fence construction and the Fence Maintenance Fund. As the fence approached completion the allocation between construction and maintenance evolved, with 75% of funds now targeted to maintenance activities, including purchase of capital items that support maintenance work such as radios, vehicles and IT equipment and running costs of maintenance vehicles. Following completion of the fence, the budget allocation is now focussed squarely on maintenance.

Presently, human resource costs such payroll and training have not yet been factored into fence maintenance, though a master strategy document for long-term fence maintenance has now been developed that will address these critical cost factors.

WISH LIST !

All the items on this list are needed by Rhino Ark to complete and maintain the fence, and to continue to protect the wildlife within the Aberdare Conservation Area. It is Rhino Ark's policy that administration costs are maintained at 11% of the gross audit accounts (see Accounts page).

Monetary donations are always VERY welcome, and are the quickest way to make sure your donation is working to conserve the Aberdares.

If you would rather sponsor a vehicle's running costs for a year, equipment for a Rhino Surveillance unit, a GPS unit, or a metre of fence, whatever it may be, it will all be gratefully received.

Rhino Ark prides itself on keeping administration costs to a minimum, and any donations will go towards conservation of the Aberdares.