John,

In a spectacular, remote corner of the Maasai Mara reserve, something extraordinary happens every year: millions of wildebeest, zebra and other animals cross the plain as part of the Great Migration.

Now they have a new landlord: Ritz-Carlton.

The hotel chain built a $5,000 per night luxury resort right at a crucial river bend, and now they’ve won a gag order on the Maasai elder defending the Great Migration, as a group of Maasai sue them over the hotel.

Conservationists are reporting major wildlife impacts, with elephants searching for ways to cross the river after more than a decade of doing it in one spot: right where this resort is.

In just two weeks, there’s a critical hearing in the Maasai case against the hotel, and local activists still think the hotel could have its permits removed — and even be torn down. Let’s get behind them with a global call and give the Maasai and the wildlife back what’s theirs:

Sign and share to throw Ritz-Carlton out of the Maasai Mara

Sustainable tourism is an important part of keeping wildlife corridors like this alive. Intrusive luxury amusement parks for the uber-rich are the opposite. Marriott has no history of conservation or commitment to the community.

Ritz-Carlton’s tagline for the hotel is “offering front-row seats to one of the world’s greatest natural wonders”. That’s exactly the problem. Super-rich guests are getting exclusive access at the expense of the animals themselves, and without any attempt at conservation or ecological stewardship.

The lodge is built right on top of the river in a way that impedes the animals’ movements and puts stress on them by being so close. One Maasai leader called it “one of the most favoured corridors” for the animals.

In fact, a recent video shows a litany of problems: a massive warehouse not in the original plans, 20+ buildings for a site licensed for 18 beds, modification of the river bank itself, buildings inside the river protection setback zone, and a MASSIVE footprint on the land, much larger than the public plans they submitted.

Here’s the resort, crammed right along the river bend:


Now rumours and controversy are swirling. There’s the legal challenge, and the gag order against a Maasai elder. The President of Kenya, who gave Ritz a development exemption in the first place, has come out in support of the hotel. And now the Kenyan Wildlife Service recently said that the migration is not affected. But conservationists worry they’re wrong – and that’s not the only issue (permits, consent, etc).

There’s another court hearing on December 19. Let’s show Ritz that the world is watching — and show the Maasai that we’re with them as they fight this luxury stain on their land.

Sign and share everywhere: protect the Great Migration!