A handful of employees and a herd of Grevy Zebra’s
Land Rover’s 2010 Employee Expedition
Jolted, titillated and bruised, eleven Land Rover volunteers arrived in Wamba to study the Grevy Zebra. The unforgiving roads were responsible for most of the discomfort, but I imagine a large percentage of the remaining kettle pot of emotions was occupied by the spectacular animal strewn landscapes. Eerily however, as the bright orange Land Rover Defender bumped from the hedgerow and worked its way up the busy high street, it was perhaps the economic void that carved the deepest and most resounding impression.
Wamba, nuzzled north of Mount Kenya and firmly lodged in the heart of the Samburu district, presented itself in the manner a divorced town strikes a chord in a hearty Cowboy. Instead of busy carriages parading pomp women through the stirred dust of guarded guns, brightly beaded Samburu folk populated the streets to be marred by the fallout of the eagerly spread Saloons. There was no drunken gunfire or highly audible jaw thumping, but the odd strewn drunk smarted of a misplaced Western influence.
Fortunately for our volunteers, the worn badge of Earthwatch, beaming from the front doors of the Defender, only sparked glee amongst the locals. As young children and, rather more sheepish adults waved at this orange vessel, it became immediately obvious that this ingrained logo was serving the community. A welcome reception for the team, as being poked into a 4×4 next to a strange work colleague, who for all they knew, perhaps called their wage package, then being ruthlessly bumped around for an hour or so was not ideal. Add to that, the prospect of ending up in some small halfway town, where Safaricom* is about the only common word and the locals have an inherent mistrust for you, it could have been intolerable. As it turned out, to be acknowledged with fondness by even a four year old, forgives that bumpy road and newly befriended supervisor, breeding a warmth and igniting a sense of purpose.
The team, the selected candidates who found themselves fortunate enough to be cocooned in this orange beacon of hope, were bursting to get involved. Picked from a stream of applications, this assortment of characters could have been likened to ones found in a ‘Marvel comic’. It consisted of a lady with the strength of five men, a tender father with unparalleled sensual powers and numerous other multi-skilled and wisely convened characters. All shared a desire to make a difference and an acute methodical meticulousness, that must come with the Land Rover crest emblazoned on their chests. The candidates had a distinctive respect for their company and as they boarded the orange Defender for the first time, their chins visibly raised a couple of inches with pride.
The Defender was the choice vehicle for this team of environmental enforcers and it rose to the challenge unfazed. The raw hunk of metal was clearly made for this environment and with every rock and trench that was thrown in its path, you could almost feel the Defender creak with a smile as it eased its way through. Its cargo revelled in witnessing a product they had had a hand in, some who had even assembled the back end, made easy roads that lesser vehicles would have to detour miles to avoid. On a road in England it is perhaps hard to appreciate the Defender. We find ourselves lured towards its more attractive cousins, the Range Rover or Discovery. Yet in a testing environment where the roads alternate from soft sand to hard rock in the single rotation of a wheel, its simplicity is applauded. In such a field you have to expect problems, punctures are the least of your worries, therefore you are grateful when you open up the bonnet and are not faced with a hive of computer technology. Obviously this will change; vehicles have to develop and Land Rover are at the forefront of development, but on location in the middle of Wamba when the best computer on offer is little better than a Commadore 64, it is gratifying to see an engine with obvious parts.
When boarding the cabin its uncompromising interior follows the same rudimentary guidelines. A seat acts quite plainly as a seat and does not disguise itself as a rump warming armchair. Guaranteed, in comparison with the luxuries of its in-laws and with half an eye on the road ahead, it could be perceived a disappointment, but after a five metre stretch, your rear and scalp would soon be in full agreement, understanding that none of the superior upholsteries on the market could possibly cradle you lovingly enough. Neither in turn would a wonderfully crafted swooping dashboard gift you any additional comfort. Instead you might find its curves somehow mock you, as you repeatedly jolt from seat to roof whilst it remains basking beneath the window screen. The fuss-free, box-like form of the Defender suited this place; it concealed no secrets and quietly whispered, ‘things are going to get rough!’
Unsympathetic, with a hardened vehicle at their disposal and burning with a new found sense of duty, the Land Rover volunteers were fuelled with a desire to do good, environmental, humanitarian, the works! Bound to the cause, Land Rover’s ensemble, even before they had had the opportunity to total the number of Grevy Zebras on a morning stroll or delve into a ripe ‘poop’ looking for parasites, were already wanting to bring sanitation, education and clean water to the residents of Wamba.
On what from the outset could have appeared little more than a company jaunt, a Safari of a lifetime written off on a company’s expenses, had already proved otherwise, even before arriving at camp. The grounding journey from the towers of Nairobi to the corrugated metal huts of Wamba had captured their attention and shaken any illusions that this was going to be a holiday. They were gripped and it was now their task to get their hands dirty, unravel their findings and understand the importance of the trip.
The expedition played a key role in Land Rover’s generous carbon offsetting strategy and by deliberately involving its workforce, it was now shouting its goals louder from within the company walls. Land Rover’s commitment to carbon offsetting is prominent in their business strategy, so much so that it has adopted ‘pillars’ in order to manage the weight of its ambitions.
The Grevy Zebra expedition resides firmly in the environmental partnership pillar. It offers vehicles and personnel to Earthwatch’s environmental study. Initially set up by the African Wildlife Trust, it has now become an important institute thanks to Earthwatch’s support. The institute houses a rally of scientists and students from Kenya, all championing conservation through the study of wildlife. The study of the Grevy Zebra, in the wake of its recent dramatic decline in population, has become one of the institute’s principal studies. The institute is proactively trying to establish a sustainable strategy to preserve the Grevy Zebra.
Nestled in the Hills above Wamba, this could all be viewed as a touch trite, when an unwashed child runs barefoot along the streets only later to retire in little more than a mud hut. The idea of a breed of animal nearing extinction is upsetting, but the idea of humans living in abject poverty outrages and infuriates, thus taking precedent. Yet, upon realising that that very same child is running to wave at Earthwatch’s iridescent Defender, it becomes apparent that its involvement reaches further than just the plight of the Grevy Zebra. Earthwatch have rather wisely infiltrated the community in a worthy and sensitive manner. Their focus is the Grevy Zebra, but they are very aware that the fall out of funds has to find its way into the heart of the community and indeed to safe the Grevy Zebra, the Local community has to be on side.
Land Rover’s newly appointed task force, all from very different roles within the company, had to learn fast. They had to shy away from any knee jerk reactions to adorn the locals with gifts and focus their efforts on the job at hand. Our Western empathies urge us to stretch out our charitable arm at any given chance, but it was not the purpose of the expedition. The Grevy Zebra was the reason for this taxing jolly and as with all small beginnings the bigger picture would serve as the reward.
The team, from the patter of keyboards to the grind of the Land Rover assembly floor, had to refrain from gifting charity and allow their goodwill to naturally find its own path. They were encouraged to turn a blind eye to the poverty and pour all their energy into squinting and gazing at the horizon in search of the Grevy Zebra. Their role was a simple one; look, gather and record. For such an elite force this was frustrating, with many an engineer in tow, couldn’t they look to conjure a water pump or at the very least hold a class in the local school? The expedition was asking the volunteers to betray their western compassions, proving to be as much a personnel journey as it was an aid to Earthwatch’s cause.
Concerns duly pocketed for evening confabs, the team walked the planes of Samburu and rifled through the fresh faeces of the glorious Grevy Zebra. Forced to slowly labour over their chores, due to the searing heat and dogged vehicle-bound stalkings, the rural spirit of Samburu began to find its voice, quelling the roaring flames of ‘We must help these people’, and politely suggesting ‘Help us to help ourselves’.
At first the Grevy popped up its head and asked for a little courting. As is the nature of the animal it didn’t want to monopolise the team’s attention, instead just bated and illusively captivated their admiration. Secondly the Samburu tribes, the Wamba villagers aired their opinions, like a silent movie plays out, through their actions. As they moved through the open planes of the inhospitable landscape, their basic lives echoed a frank charm that was and is at times, enviable. The Land Rover team suddenly, in tracking the Grevy Zebra and involving themselves in a day-to-day duty, found the peace of mind to reflect and shake off their Western shackles.
Enchanted, the team with every step and creak across the earth eagerly gathered as much data as was permitted, becoming experts on the Grevy Zebra and its distinguishing features. The Grevy is a striking, yet comical creature. Striking, because it moves with the elegance of a show horse and its tightly clad stripes zing hypnotically, before petering out to a wonderful white under belly. Comical, because its all too often coined ‘Mickey Mouse’ ears, once pricked in your direction are not altogether African. Implausibly round and oversized they would not go amiss amongst the more dyspraxic beasts found in Australia and would certainly amuse any television screen come children’s hour. The Grevy at first glance is just a Zebra and it is, but to understand its true beauty unfortunately it is best to stand it next to a common Zebra. The common Zebra is bulbous, clumsy and in comparison with the Grevy little more than a painted donkey.
The volunteers were outwardly deflated if they had not encountered at least one Grevy on a mornings ramble and almost childishly excited if they had been the first to spot one. In not spotting a Grevy, the data was of equal importance to the Earthwatch scientists, it was key in helping them understand the Grevy’s grazing patterns, but it was considerably more rewarding for the volunteers to observe this inquisitive creature. The Grevy from a distance appears grey, its narrow stripes merge together and it perfectly blends in with the mottled terrain. To differentiate a Grevy from a rock at a substantial distance before one of your guides, was a challenge.
The guides, Samburu natives keeping you from harm and on track, had a remarkable eye for detecting the Grevy and on the odd occasion that they were out spotted, a delight befell on the eagle eyed Sherlock. Obviously, as adults, the triumph was merely taken in one’s stride and only internally etched on ones wall of achievement. Perhaps not to be etched alongside was the excitement at seeing a Grevy lift its tail and defecate. However, surprisingly it was a moment of some clout, as stool samples were also as important a part of the research as indeed the numbers of the Grevy. The scientists were looking for parasites and troubleshooting as to whether there are other causes, other than loss of habitat, for the Grevy’s decline. So with the poop dispatched, the Land Rover team found themselves keenly cantering to locate the steaming deposit, eager to beat a dung beetle to the chase.
As the mission continued, the Land Rover disciples grew less involved with the idea of helping the Samburu people, the townsfolk of Wamba, and now found themselves meandering in the middle of the wide planes alongside them. As they probed the landscape for Zebra, striking Moran warriors walked through their gaze. As they stooped for excrement, young children herded goats around them. Without realising, the Land Rover team had become field scientists, conservationists working alongside the community. The group no longer looked through pitying eyes when greeted by a dusty half dressed native, now their eyes were full of respect.
In a land where the Grevy Zebra’s population had faltered, the Samburu man had managed to prosper, not in terms of concreted acreage, but they were surviving. On arrival in Wamba it was the drunk, Western clothed locals that distressed, it was our half embraced influence painted across Saloon walls and small roadside shops that shouted of repression and poverty. The rural, beautifully adorned residents on the whole were a joy to see, they were purposeful and happy. The Land Rover team were now in tune with their environment and understood that change had to make its way slowly to Wamba.
Wamba is undoubtedly a third world country with massive strives to make in order to achieve any other status, but to the people of this region the notion of being third world means nothing, this is how they live and always have. As a community they are slowly learning and developing, maybe not at the haste that would ease our conscience, but for the want of an easy sleep surely thrusting ones values and ideologies would be all too much in one hit.
In tracking a Grevy Zebra, in working side by side with the natives for a mutual cause a more sustainable growth will naturally occur. The Samburu people have to want to develop, they have to want to learn, and witnessing the reception that greets Earthwatch’s Defender first hand, we can start to believe they do and will.
The very idea that supporting the conservation of the Grevy Zebra can have a knock-on effect sounds dubious, but eleven volunteers would now vouch that it can. In practice when conservation works with the locals and its funds and knowledge are fed through the right channels, then it is the locals that inevitably reap the benefits.
Earthwatch with the aid of Land Rover are giving Wamba a foothold to a sustainable future by embracing one of their region’s key attributes, the Grevy Zebra.
* Safaricom is a leading mobile network operator in Kenya.
