document the parasite burden and disease incidence among cattle slaughtered at the 0l Pejeta abattoir as a basis for herd health management plans
measure the impact of indigenous land management practices and the newly formed grazing committee on rangeland conditions at II Ngwesi
understand the marketing chain for beef from II Ngwesi
identify the resources available and community needs for alternative livelihoods at II Ngwesi
enhance the education of Purdue and Egerton undergraduates through service learning by involving them in wildlife monitoring at Lewa

The "abattoir survey" at 0l Pejeta will collect data from animals slaughtered there. This will provide basic information on parasite problems and disease incidence in cattle produced at 0l Pejeta and those purchased from pastoral communities, especially II Ngwesi. Information from other abattoirs in the region will be collected for comparison. This information will contribute to health management decisions at 0l Pejeta, II Ngwesi and other conservancy areas.

A key to improving conditions for wildlife in the NRT area is grazing management. Purdue, Egerton and KARI researchers will document indigenous land management practices at II Ngwesi, including traditional methods that have fallen into disuse, and measure the effects of the II Ngwesi grazing committee on quantity and quality of forage for wildlife and livestock.

Providing markets for pastoralist livestock is essential to creating the incentives for better grazing management. After the breaking down in the government run livestock marketing system in the 1970s and 80s, the system has been chaotic. Prices offered to pastoralists in northern markets are low, but beef prices in Nairobi are relatively high. Research will estimate numbers of livestock sold from pastoralists in the II Ngwesi area, who is buying, marketing margins from the initial point of sale to the consumer in Kenya or export and constraints to more efficient beef marketing in Kenya.

Better livestock marketing will potentially create funds which II Ngwesi citizens can invest. Social and cultural values in II Ngwesi emphasize livestock as the primary form of wealth, but non-livestock based enterprises could reduce the risk inherent in livestock production. Investment in local businesses would generate local employment, but financial investment may be more effective for risk reduction. Work on this objective will document II Ngwesi resources, family food security and income requirements, and investment preferences. Returns for alternative investments will be estimated for comparison.
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