July 31, 2025
On #WorldRangerDay, our team was honored to attend the celebrations at Mara Serena Grounds. It’s a special day for us as we celebrate the heroic work of rangers around the globe. Specifically, we want to appreciate the incredible dedication of the Mara Cheetah Unit (MCU). Since its inception, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside them daily, collaborating on cheetah monitoring and protection efforts. We are proud to support the MCU by providing scientific-based training and equipping the team rangers with essential tools like Cheetah identification catalogues, writing materials, cameras, and binoculars, empowering them to carry out their vital work effectively. We’re grateful for this partnership and the tireless commitment of every ranger to protecting wildlife.
On this memorable day, the Narok County Governor H.E. Patrick Ole Ntutu said words that are very important for all of us about our colleague Jona, who stood at the origins of the Mara Cheetah Unit: “Today, we remember Corporal Jona Ole Mpoke – the Hero, who made the ultimate sacrifice. His service went beyond injury; he passed away while on duty. His sacrifice reminds us of the courage our rangers make. This year, the County Government will employe 180 new game rangers, the first of them all being Ole Mpoke’s dependent. May his legacy live forever.” (quote from the MMWCA post)
The ceremony also recognized women rangers who share the difficult and responsible work of protecting nature with men every day, and demonstrate dedication and resilience every day.
The World Ranger Day ceremony was attended by representatives of the County Government of Narok, including H.E Tamalinye Koech (Deputy Governor), Samuel Ole Ndorko (Chief Officer for Tourism and Wildlife), Ole Sikona (Chair, Tourism and Wildlife at the County Assembly of Narok), Ole Kuseren (KWS), Daniel Ole Sopia (CEO, MMWCA), Brian Heath (CEO, Mara Conservancy), rangers from the Maasai Mara National Reserve and different Mara conservancies, Dr. Ashif Yusuf (Veterinarian, Mara Conservancy) and members of the Mara Hyena Project and Mara Elephant Project. We all shared our working methods and discoveries with the distinguished guests and discussed further plans for the study and preservation of the Mara.
© Mara-Meru Cheetah Project (MMCP). All observations, images and videos in this post are our own unless stated otherwise. Please credit appropriately when sharing
