Tsavo Trust’s School Drawing Competition Sparks Creativity and Conservation Awareness
In May 2025, Tsavo Trust’s drawing competition brought together 31 students from nine schools along Tsavo West National Park’s northern boundary. The event transformed creativity into a powerful tool for conservation awareness.
This engaging competition was part of Tsavo Trust’s broader conservation education project in Kamungi Conservancy, supported by the Exodus Travels Foundation – Kickstart Project 2024. Over the past year, the initiative has reached more than 2,000 students across 12 schools in Makueni County—nurturing a new generation of environmental stewards.
Organized in partnership with the Kamungi Conservancy, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and the Ministry of Education, the competition invited students to depict iconic and critically endangered wildlife: Primary schools focused on Wild Dog, Junior secondary schools celebrated Black Rhino, and Senior secondary schools focused on the iconic Super Tusker. These species are central to Tsavo Trust’s conservation work and symbolize Kenya’s rich biodiversity and the urgent need for conservation. “Creative art is a powerful tool for conservation awareness. KWS is proud to partner with Tsavo Trust.” — Education Warden, Tsavo West National Park.
Photo 1: A powerful depiction of a Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis) by Muthama Wambua from Kyusyani Junior Secondary School, showcasing the artistic talent sparked by the Tsavo Trust drawing competition
The competition buzzed with excitement as students used passion and pencils to express their understanding of wildlife and conservation. Judges selected winners based on creativity, relevance, and expression. Top schools received trophies, while the top three students in each category earned certificates and prizes. All participants were recognized with certificates of participation, celebrating both talent and conservation awareness.
Photo 2: Triumph for conservation! Students from a top-performing school proudly receive their trophy from the Kenya Wildlife Service Education Warden and Tsavo Trust Chief Community Officer, celebrating their success in the May 2025 drawing competition
“This is a great initiative for rural schools neighbouring Tsavo National Parks and aligns well with the new Competency-Based Curriculum.” — Kambu Sub-County Director of Education.
“This competition revealed the untapped artistic talent in schools neighbouring Tsavo National Parks. We look forward to more initiatives like this.”— Tsavo Trust Chief Community Officer.
Beyond the artwork, the competition created a lasting impact. It offered students a joyful and meaningful space to explore wildlife conservation, connect with nature, and discover their voices as young guardians of Kenya’s natural heritage.
Through activities like this, Tsavo Trust continues to invest in conservation education—empowering youths to become passionate stewards of the environment.
Photo 3: An Iconic Super Tusker drawn by Hillary Henry, a student at Mavindini Senior Secondary School, as part of the Tsavo Trust drawing competition held in May 2025. Tsavo Conservation Area is one of the last few remaining strongholds of the Super Tuskers (elephants with tusks weighing more than 100 pounds or 45 kilograms each)