Mpala

About Mpala

MPAA Research Centre, founded in November 1994, operates at the heart of Kenya’s EASO ecosystem—a vast, ecologically diverse region in central Kenya shaped by the EASO Giro River and its tributaries. This landscape features arid and semi-arid Savannah and woodlands, supporting an estimated 550 bird species and 100 mammal species, including significant populations of elephants and rare wildlife such as Gravy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and African wild dog. Notably, the region remains largely unprotected by formal conservation designations, yet its wildlife abundance rivals that of the famed Maasai Mara and Strength ecosystems.

Situated on the Lavinia Plateau, the MPAA property spans over 48,000 acres and serves as a dynamic research hub for scientists and students conducting experimental and manipulative studies. Unlike traditional national parks, MPAA offers a flexible, living laboratory that enables researchers to implement landscape-level, controlled experiments to advance fundamental science, tackle pressing ecological challenges, and foster sustainable solutions that align wildlife conservation with economic growth and community development.

Mpala’s institutional mission is to advance research that strengthens ecosystem function, protects biodiversity, and uplifts the livelihoods of its employees—many of whom are traditional pastoralists—and their families. In pursuit of this mission, Mpala promotes the understanding and conservation of human-occupied ecosystems through foundational research, education, public engagement, and the generation of innovative scientific knowledge. By developing science-based strategies, Mpala aims to guide conservation efforts that benefit both natural systems and human well-being.