Today is the twelth of March, little over a week after the massive flooding occured here at the Research Camp in the Samburu National Reserve. The entire camp was virtually destroyed, equipment was either washed away or covered in mud and there were only a few things lef standing. What started out to be the beginning of an interesting internship studying the vegetation of the reserve in relationship to the elephants, turned into the rebuilding of the research camp and trying to salvage what was left of the camp. In cooperation with the staff of the STE we decided to help out as much as we can to clean up and rebuild the camp and the past few days everybody has been working incredibly hard to get the camp back at an operational level.
Basic sanitary in the form a pit in the ground as a toilet and two small cabins made of tarp to wash yourself with a bucket have been set up, borehole and rainwater for drinking has been boiled and filtered and a huge amount of mud has been cleared out from practically everywhere.
The power has been restored and, as the satellite dish was on top of the hill, we still have access to the world wide web. Thanks to recent supplies such as clean water and food brought to us by several trustees and others we are managing it and try to make the best of it.
Among all the work, the reality of the flood suddenly came very close when a man washed up to the banks of the river right next to the research camp just a few day ago, completely exhausted and looking more dead than alive. With a couple of guys we got him out and due to some quick thinking of the staff of the STE, he survived and has left the camp again.
As always, things like this all come at the same time and a lot has been done but there is still a long way to go. Soon we will be able to start our research as the elephants are moving back in the reserve, we will try to keep you posted!