In a spectacular, remote corner of the Maasai Mara reserve,
something extraordinary happens every year: millions of wildebeest,
zebra and other animals cross the plain as part of the Great
Migration.
Now they have a new landlord: Ritz-Carlton.
The hotel chain built a $5,000 per night luxury resort right at a
crucial river bend, and now they’ve won a gag order on the Maasai
elder defending the Great Migration, as a group of Maasai sue
them over the hotel.
Conservationists are reporting major wildlife impacts, with
elephants searching for ways to cross the river after more than a
decade of doing it in one spot: right where this resort is.
In just two weeks, there’s a critical hearing in the Maasai
case against the hotel, and local activists still think the
hotel could have its permits removed — and even be torn down.
Let’s get behind them with a global call and give the Maasai and
the wildlife back what’s theirs:
Sign and share to throw Ritz-Carlton out of the Maasai
Mara
Sustainable tourism is an important part of keeping wildlife
corridors like this alive. Intrusive luxury amusement parks for
the uber-rich are the opposite. Marriott has no history of
conservation or commitment to the community.
Ritz-Carlton’s tagline for the hotel is “offering front-row
seats to one of the world’s greatest natural wonders”. That’s
exactly the problem. Super-rich guests are getting exclusive
access at the expense of the animals themselves, and without any
attempt at conservation or ecological stewardship.
The lodge is built right on top of the river in a way that
impedes the animals’ movements and puts stress on them by being so
close. One Maasai leader called it “one of the most favoured
corridors” for the animals.
In fact, a recent video shows a litany of problems: a massive
warehouse not in the original plans, 20+ buildings for a site
licensed for 18 beds, modification of the river bank itself,
buildings inside the river protection setback zone, and a MASSIVE
footprint on the land, much larger than the public plans they
submitted.
Here’s the resort, crammed right along the river bend:
Now rumours and controversy are swirling. There’s
the legal challenge, and the gag order against a Maasai elder. The
President of Kenya, who gave Ritz a development exemption in the
first place, has come out in support of the hotel. And now the
Kenyan Wildlife Service recently said that the migration is not
affected. But conservationists worry they’re wrong – and that’s not
the only issue (permits, consent, etc).
There’s another court hearing on December 19. Let’s show Ritz
that the world is watching — and show the Maasai that we’re with
them as they fight this luxury stain on their land.
Sign and share everywhere: protect the Great
Migration!
