News and Stories

Last month, when visiting our Maasai partners in the South Rift Valley of Kenya with a group of Cincinnati Zoo supporters, it was a tremendous honor to be presented with a cow from our colleague John Kamanga, the leader of the South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO).  

A cow is no small gift, as cattle hold a central place in Maasai society. Its presentation was, however, a perfectly fitting way to celebrate the 20 years that Cincinnati Zoo has worked closely with SORALO and the communities living alongside wildlife. 

Traditionally, the pastoral Maasai measure wealth by the number of cattle they own, and these animals are integral to their diet, providing milk, meat, and blood. They live among their livestock on the open land where for hundreds of years they have coexisted with a vast array of wildlife, including predators like lions and hyenas.  

Cows remain crucial to the Maasai, not only for their economic value but also for their cultural and social significance. Rituals, ceremonies, and social structures often revolve around cattle. For instance, dowries and fines are paid in cattle, and they play a vital role in rites of passage. 

My young cow is a lovely white heifer, a cross between the Zebu and Sahiwal breeds, which makes her resistant to diseases, drought tolerant, and fast growing to provide both milk and later meat. She will remain among John’s herd and expert care. But eventually, when she has a calf my herd will continue to grow.  On the day I was presented my cow a young Maasai warrior commented that I was getting a late start growing my herd.  But one cow is much better than none! 

It is the traditional pastoral life, with seasonal moves to find grass and water that has kept the Maasai lands fenceless and open, whereby also providing the best remaining habitat for herds of large animals and their predators.  In addition to just living on the land, the Maasai and their cattle have helped shape and protect the African savannah and its wildlife. 

In essence, the Maasai exemplify a unique balance between preserving cultural heritage and adapting to contemporary challenges, with cattle continuing to be the cornerstone of their identity and livelihood. 

They are key to the conservation of countless iconic species, enabling wildlife to thrive in open landscapes connecting corridors between Amboseli National Park to the east, the Maasai Mara to the west, and the Serengeti and Ngorongoro to the south. 

Together, SORALO and Cincinnati Zoo have implemented coexistence strategies, built sustainable infrastructure, launched education initiatives, and developed programs like the Coexistence Impact Fellowship and Coexistence Champions to deepen impact. We look forward to growing our partnership and our herd!