Today, we chatted to Daniel Tirian Koya, full-time guide at Great Plains’ Mara Plains Camp
Daniel, Where are you from?
ENDOINYO ERINKA (NORTH OF MARA CONSERVANCIES). These are the communities where Great Plains does its community work, too. It’s nice to be able to assist my communities through my work.
And How long have you been guiding?
SEVEN YEARS
Which animal which reminds you most of yourself and why?
TOPI- BECAUSE THEY HAVE GOOD EYESIGHT, THEY ARE VERY FAST AND GOOD AT AVOIDING DANGER
And your most embarrassing guiding moment?
I WAS OUT WITH A FAMILY ON A DRIVE AND WEARING MY TRADITIONAL MASAI DRESS, AFTER STOPPING FOR A BRIEF STRETCH AND RELIEVING OURSELVES I FORGOT TO RE-TIE MY SHUKAS (RED MAASAI SARONGS) PROPERLY AND SO FLASHED MY UNDERPARTS.
What about your most exciting guiding moment?
WATCHING A LEOPARD HUNTING FROM START TO SUCCESSFUL FINISH
Do you have a goal for your guiding career?
TO HAVE MY OWN SAFARI COMPANY
What is the place you dream of visiting in the world?
THE AMAZON
What do you think the biggest challenge facing community conservation?
HUGE INCREASES IN THE NUMBER OF COWS AND POPULATION CAUSING ENCROACHMENT INTO WILDLIFE AREAS AND DECLINES IN WILDLIFE DISPERSAL AREAS.
THE VERY HIGH ILLITERACY RATE IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS MEANS IT IS HARD TO CARRY OUT AWARENESS PROGRAMS
And what about the biggest opportunity facing community conservation?
· THE FACT THAT THESE COMMUNITIES NOW HAVE A CHANCE TO DETERMINE THEIR OWN DESTINY IN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AS THEY HAVE REPRESENTATIVES IN ALL THE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES.
· THERE HAS BEEN A HUGE RISE IN ECONOMIC INCOME TO THE COMMUNITIES,
· SUSTAINABILITY IN THEIR MAIN ASSET BEING LAND

Thank you, Daniel! You are a valuable member of our team.

Now, folks, come visit Daniel in his element at Mara Plains. See you there!