In late July 2023, Vetinwild partnered with Kalama Conservancy and Ewaso Lions to conduct an intensive four-day rabies vaccination campaign. The mission: vaccinate as many domestic dogs as possible to create a protective buffer zone around critical wildlife habitat.
Why Kalama?
Kalama Conservancy in Isiolo County represents a unique conservation landscape where pastoral communities coexist with diverse wildlife. The conservancy is home to several endangered species, including African wild dogs, lions, and elephants.
Domestic dogs in pastoral communities pose a significant rabies risk to both humans and wildlife. Previous surveys had revealed low vaccination coverage (estimated at less than 15%) and several suspected rabies cases in the preceding year.
Campaign Strategy
The vaccination campaign employed a mobile clinic approach, bringing veterinary services directly to pastoralist settlements spread across the vast conservancy. The strategy included:
Community Engagement
Prior to the campaign, Ewaso Lions' community engagement team conducted extensive outreach:
- Village meetings to explain the importance of rabies vaccination
- Radio announcements in local languages
- Recruitment of community champions to mobilize dog owners
- Distribution of educational materials on rabies prevention
Mobile Clinics
Six vaccination stations were established at strategic locations including:
- Community water points
- Market centers
- Primary schools
- Manyatta (traditional homesteads) clusters
The Numbers
Over four intensive days, the team achieved remarkable results:
- 695 dogs vaccinated against rabies
- 89 manyattas reached across the conservancy
- 450+ community members received rabies education
- 42 suspected sick animals referred for further evaluation
The campaign achieved an estimated 68% coverage in target areas - approaching the critical 70% threshold needed for herd immunity.
Veterinary Procedures
Each dog received:
- Physical examination
- Rabies vaccination (approved canine rabies vaccine)
- Numbered collar tag for identification
- Deworming medication
- Record entry in the vaccination database
Dogs with health concerns were provided with additional treatment or referred to Vetinwild's clinic in Nanyuki for follow-up care.
Community Response
The campaign received overwhelming positive response from community members. Many dog owners expressed appreciation for bringing veterinary services directly to them, eliminating the need for long-distance travel to Nanyuki or Isiolo town.
Community champions reported increased awareness of rabies as a preventable disease and growing interest in responsible pet ownership practices.
Conservation Impact
By reducing rabies prevalence in domestic dog populations, the campaign creates a protective buffer around endangered wildlife populations. This is particularly crucial for African wild dogs, whose small population numbers make them highly vulnerable to disease outbreaks.
The successful campaign model is being replicated in other conservancies across northern Kenya, contributing to broader regional rabies elimination goals.
Sustainability
To sustain the protective effect, Vetinwild plans to:
- Conduct annual booster vaccination campaigns
- Train community animal health workers to recognize rabies symptoms
- Establish a rapid response protocol for suspected rabies cases
- Integrate vaccination data into the broader One Health surveillance system
The Kalama vaccination excursion demonstrates that with proper planning, community engagement, and partnership, high vaccination coverage is achievable even in remote pastoral areas.
