The Masai culture may forbid the hunting and eating of wild animals but I have to beg to differ with you about "living side by side with wildlife in a delicate balance of life". I've been to Amboseli 10 times - a week each time and have seen so very many speared, poison arrowed, and panga slashed elephants that it makes me cry Perhaps years ago, as pastoralists, the Masai respected and got along well with wildlife, but that is not necessarily the case today.

I agree with you in hopes that some tycoon will not try to grab up this natural wonder. I also hope that all the money will not go into deep pockets in the Council. It needs to be passed down to all the Maasai in the area and, at the same time, the necessary improvements made to the infrastructure so it will be a long-term benefit for the wildlife and the Maasai.

Acting as stewards of wildlife of the animals in the Mara, the Maasai and the Kenyan government should act together to protect this area so that tourists can enjoy it and the benefits derived will help the Maasai for years to come.

I want to add a thought here; In a perfect world, all the money (and there is lot's) that will be earned by the council, filters down to the individual homesteads. all of a sudden individuals and families become wealthy (within context). Now what do they do with all this money? The council will build schools and tarmac roads and dispensaries and hospitals. Individuals will build brick and tin houses and shops. At current populations growths, what will the mara ecosystem outside of the reserve look like in 30 years?? "mabati" towns will sprinkle the landscape like the wildebeest the plains