Wildlife Research & Training Institute Kenya

17/08/2026

Our Diploma in Environment and Natural Resources Management (ENRM) equips you with practical skills and knowledge to sustainably manage natural resources, protect ecosystems and contribute to a resilient environment.

Through competency-based training, you’ll combine classroom instruction with hands-on field experience, gaining practical expertise in environmental management, natural resource conservation, ecosystem assessment, field research and sustainable resource use.

September/October 2026 Intake is ongoing. For enquiries, call us on 0700 000 321 email [email protected] or visit our website www.wrti.go.ke

Apply today and gain the skills to shape a sustainable future for our environment and natural resources.

Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya
State Department for Wildlife
Silvia Museiya
Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH

15/08/2026

The Institute, in partnership with Laikipia Wildlife Forum (LWF), recently participated in a Training of Trainers on the Human-Elephant Coexistence Toolbox in Sagala, Taita Taveta County.

The training facilitated by Save the Elephants (STE), provided an opportunity for stakeholders to learn practical tools developed through years of research and field experience to support human-elephant coexistence.

Beyond the training, the Institute and Laikipia Wildlife Forum engaged local farmers to understand their experiences with the tools and capture lessons from the ground. These insights will inform the design and implementation of a similar initiative around Shamanek Forest in Laikipia County, where the Institute and Laikipia Wildlife Forum are partnering to advance human-elephant coexistence.

As part of this work, the Institute will support locally appropriate conflict mitigation measures backed by consistent data collection and robust monitoring to generate evidence on what works and guide future improvements.

Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya
State Department for Wildlife
Silvia Museiya
Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH

14/08/2026

We wish to inform all our partners and stakeholders that the 3rd International Wildlife Scientific Conference, initially scheduled for September 2027, has been postponed to March 2028.

The revised dates will provide a greater opportunity for international participation, scientific exchange, policy dialogue and collaboration to advance wildlife conservation.

We sincerely appreciate your continued partnership, support and commitment to wildlife research and conservation.

Further details on the theme, venue and registration will be communicated.

Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya
State Department for Wildlife
Silvia Museiya
Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH

12/08/2026

Today, the Institute joined communities, conservation partners and stakeholders at Gatundia Secondary School in Laikipia County to mark World Elephant Day 2026 under the theme: “Be More Like Elephants: Advancing Human-Elephant Coexistence through Community Partnerships, Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods.”

The theme underscored a fundamental truth: lasting elephant conservation must work for both wildlife and the communities that share their landscapes.

Presiding over the event, State Department for Wildlife Conservation Secretary Dr John Chumo emphasised that conservation must deliver value to communities living alongside wildlife, noting that “successful conservation is not achievable without the support, trust and active participation of the communities who share space with wildlife.”

He further stressed the need to safeguard the landscapes that sustain both people and wildlife, observing: “Protecting elephants therefore requires protecting the landscapes on which both wildlife and people depend.”

This is where science plays a critical role.
Through wildlife research, the National Wildlife Census, wildlife corridor and habitat monitoring, and ecological assessments, the Institute generates the evidence needed to understand wildlife populations, track changes in habitats and landscapes, and inform conservation decisions.

This scientific knowledge helps translate data into practical actions that strengthen wildlife conservation and human-wildlife coexistence.

As Dr Chumo aptly reminded stakeholders, “Conserving elephants is a shared duty.”

On World Elephant Day, the Institute reaffirms its commitment to advancing science that supports this shared responsibility, turning research into action, data into decisions, and partnerships into lasting conservation impact.

Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya
State Department for Wildlife
Silvia Museiya
Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH

12/08/2026

As we mark at Gatundia Secondary School, Laikipia County, make a stop at the Institute's exhibition booth.

Visit and discover the science behind elephant conservation, interact with our researchers and elephant-monitoring experts, and explore our training programmes designed to build the next generation of conservation professionals.

Come curious. Connect with science.



Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya
State Department for Wildlife
Silvia Museiya
Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH

12/08/2026

On this , the Institute joins the world in celebrating one of Africa’s most iconic species—the elephant.

At the Institute, elephant conservation starts with science. Through research, monitoring, partnerships and evidence-based action, we are working to deepen our understanding of elephant populations, movements and the landscapes they depend on.

Through research on elephant migratory corridors and movement patterns, the Institute generates scientific knowledge that supports conservation planning, habitat protection and efforts to reduce human-elephant conflict.

Because every movement tells a story. Every corridor connects a landscape. And every piece of research strengthens conservation action.



Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya
State Department for Wildlife
Silvia Museiya
Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH

10/08/2026

Today, the Institute hosted the Born Free Foundation (BFF) team, led by CEO Will Travers OBE, for a high-level engagement with Institute's Director Dr Patrick Omondi to take stock of progress and chart the next phase of collaboration between the two institutions.

At the heart of the discussions was the Framework of Collaboration (FoC) signed in February 2024, which provides a strategic platform for the Institute and Born Free Foundation to jointly advance wildlife research, training and science-based conservation.

The partnership is driving collaboration across research, wildlife data, policy support, institutional strengthening, capacity building, fundraising and dissemination of scientific knowledge—ensuring that research translates into practical conservation action.

Since the establishment of the Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) in October 2025, the partnership has recorded progress in several priority areas, including , 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐝 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐨 𝐖𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐨 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐮, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝-𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝-𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬.

The partners also identified the next frontier of collaboration, including additional lion collaring, joint training programmes, resource mobilisation for research, documentation of Predator-Proof Bomas, deployment of drones and other conservation technologies, and strengthening wildlife research and conservation frameworks.

Dr Omondi commended Born Free Foundation for its continued partnership and support, noting that strong scientific partnerships are critical to generating the evidence needed to address emerging conservation challenges.

He highlighted the importance of moving from collaboration to measurable, on-the-ground conservation outcomes.

The engagement reaffirmed a shared commitment to turning science into action, strengthening conservation capacity and generating evidence that informs better decisions for Kenya’s wildlife and their habitats.

Also in attendance were Deputy Director–Research, Dr David Ndeereh; Deputy Director–Training, Dr Roselyn Onyuro; Head, Research Permitting and Compliance, Dr Vincent Obanda, (AG) Head of Planning Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Madam Nelly Mukoko.

Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya
State Department for Wildlife
Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH
Silvia Museiya

10/08/2026

On this , the Institute joins the world in celebrating one of Africa’s most iconic species—the lion.

At the Institute, lion conservation starts with science. Through research, partnerships and evidence-based action, we are working to deepen our understanding of these magnificent predators and the landscapes they call home.

Through initiatives such as the Tsavo Simba Research Project, in partnership with Tsavo Trust, the Institute contributes to research on lion ecology, behaviour and the pressures facing large carnivores.

Because every sighting tells a story. Every dataset adds knowledge. And every research partnership strengthens conservation action.



Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya
State Department for Wildlife
Silvia Museiya
Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH

08/08/2026

Yesterday, the Institute's Director, Dr Patrick Omondi joined partners in the BioRescue Consortium for a consultative meeting to review progress on the Northern White Rhino Recovery Project, a global initiative using advanced assisted reproductive technologies to rescue the species from extinction.

He was accompanied by Deputy Director - Research Dr David Ndeereh and Senior Scientist Cedric Khayale.

The consortium, comprising the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the Institute, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Germany), Dvůr Králové Zoo (Czech Republic), the University of Padua, and Avantea Laboratory (Italy), has made significant scientific progress since the project began in 2019.

To date, the team has conducted 32 oocyte collection procedures, produced 39 pure Northern White Rhino embryos, completed 11 embryo transfer attempts, and achieved the world's first rhino pregnancy through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and embryo transfer using a Southern White Rhino embryo.

However, experts noted that achieving a sustained Northern White Rhino pregnancy in a surrogate Southern White Rhino remains the project's greatest challenge.

The meeting reviewed key milestones, challenges and the way forward, with partners agreeing to refine embryo transfer techniques, expand the number of Northern White Rhino embryos, strengthen research on implantation challenges, and increase the pool of surrogate Southern White Rhinos.

Dr. Omondi commended the consortium's groundbreaking achievements, noting that the project is advancing conservation science while creating innovative solutions that could benefit other threatened species.

He emphasised the importance of translating scientific knowledge into conservation policy, strengthening local research capacity, and sustaining international collaboration.

He reaffirmed the Institute's commitment to supporting the project and ensuring Kenya remains at the forefront of science-driven wildlife conservation.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Mr. Justin Heath, reaffirmed the Conservancy's unwavering commitment to working closely with national and international partners to safeguard the world's only remaining Northern White Rhinos.

He said Ol Pejeta will continue providing the critical infrastructure, technical support and enabling environment needed to advance the cutting-edge conservation science driving the species' recovery.

Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya
State Department for Wildlife
Silvia Museiya
Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH

07/08/2026

The Institute appreciates the leadership of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the collaboration of all agencies involved in investigating the reported elephant mortalities in the Amboseli ecosystem.

We remain committed to supporting the investigation through scientific expertise and will continue working alongside KWS and the multi-agency technical task force until the investigation is concluded, ensuring that the findings are evidence-based and inform appropriate interventions.

Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya
State Department for Wildlife
Silvia Museiya
Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH
Kenya Wildlife Service

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄: 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐏𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐈-𝐊𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐒𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌