Interview with Dr Noah Sitati
The life and advice of "Mr Ndovu" (Mr Elephant)
Dr Noah Sitati is a good natured man who is prone to large grins and bursts of laughter.
They are qualities he uses to great effect in obtaining much of the vital information he needs on elephant sightings, conflicts and people's attitudes towards them. In the bars, cafes, street corners and meeting halls, Noah is always listening, questioning and gathering information vital to his work.Working out of rented office that also serves his home, Noah answers some questions of our own...
Where did you grow up?
In Bungoma, near the border with Uganda in western Kenya.What subjects did you like at school?
Biology - I enjoyed it so much. It is basically the study of living things and that's what motivated me to work in conservation.What did you want to be when you were young?
When I was young I had lots of interest in environmental issues. I remember when I was in school I was reading about it. And after that I developed an interest in research. I wanted to be a researcher from about the age of twelve. I used to enjoy seeing people doing research.What did you study at university?
I went to Kenyata university in Nairobi where I studied botany and zoology. Then I went to Moi university and did a Masters Degree in Wildlife Management.How did you end up working with WWF?
After my Masters, there were two scholarships available for Kenyans from the Darwin Initiative of the UK Government and WWF. Some of my tutors put my name forward for one of these and I was accepted. Since that time I've always been associated with WWF.
What do you like most about your job
I enjoy doing research, I enjoy working with the people, and trying to solve problems. Creating awareness rather than just sitting in the office. A lot of people here think that after my PhD I should be sitting in a big office somewhere, but I tell them "no", I prefer being in the field. I like coming up with new ideas that can help people out.What do you like least about your job
(long pause) I really don't know, because actually I really enjoy my job. But I guess at times I can get lonely. I go home once every 4 weeks to see my family, but other than that, apart from when I see my scouts, I'm pretty much on my own, with no phone and no email.How would you describe yourself?
People say I'm a very hard worker. The way they see me doing my work. I'm very committed. I always try and do the best that I can. I like socializing - I like interacting very much with the local people. I seem to get on with them, and that has made my work so much more easier. I like talking to the young, the old, whatever, I really like interacting with all of them.What are your ambitions for the future?
I'd like to see this project compete its next three year phase successfully. and then maybe either work directly for one of the big Conservation agencies, or go to teach at a university either here or in the UK. I'd love to stay involved in animal issues.Do you like elephants?
"Oh yes. I like them. I love them. They are very intelligent. In fact I would say whatever we do to stop them entering fields, they learn eventually to get around it. Which is why we must always rotate our tactics." More on the KWS (external link)
