ADMINISTRATION

Mary Wykstra is the founder and director of Action for Cheetahs in Kenya (ACK). Mary started the program in 2001 in affiliation with the Cheetah Conservation Fund and the Kenya Wildlife Service. In 2009, she founded Carnivores, Livelihoods and Landscapes, a Kenya-based charity under which ACK and other carnivore projects operate. ACK was the first project and has grown from having only two employees to over 20 in 10 years. Together with a fellow colleague, Cosmas Wambua, they launched research studies on the ecology and status of cheetahs in Kenya. They expanded the study to evaluate the range-wide status of cheetahs, and in 2007, they completed the first National Cheetah Survey. The study involved the mapping of prey, factors that influence cheetah persistence, and human impact on cheetah survival. It was also used in setting objectives for the regional and national strategies for cheetahs (and wild dogs).

 

Mary holds a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University and a Master’s of Environmental Management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. In February 2020, she completed Women in Conservation Leadership training through Colorado State University's Pathways to Human Dimensions in Conservation Program. Mary has experience in both Kenya and in Namibia with data collection, cheetah research techniques, capture and immobilization, community development, and education.

 

Mary is proud to lead a team of over 20 staff who share her passion for cheetahs as they continue to have an impact on saving the cheetah, reducing conflicts, and encouraging environmental caretaking. Young people are the future of cheetah conservation, and Mary enjoys watching staff and students grow their skills in research and conservation leadership. In 2010, ACK  launched a second study site in Samburu at the Meibae Community Conservancy about 90 km northwest of the Samburu National Reserve to compare cheetah survival in pastoral communities. The field base was officially opened in 2017.

 

Mary has co-authored peer-reviewed papers and several chapters in a cheetah book using data from the past several years.