Mary Wykstra - Director

Mary Wykstra was born in Michigan, United States of America. She studied pre-veterinary medicine at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan from 1982-1984. She received a BS degree from Michigan State University in 1987 with a major of zoology and a focus in animal behavior. After graduating from college, Mary worked as a zoo keeper at Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, Michigan for two years. In 1989 she moved to Salt Lake City, Utah to work as an exhibit technician for Utah's Hogle Zoo. During this period of time she was responsible for the fabrication of enclosures for a large variety of animals. Three years later she was promoted to Exhibits Curator and her responsiblities expanded to include designing enclosures, and supervising construction and renovations. In 1988 Mary became involved with the Cheetah Conservation Fund by chairing a zoo keeper initiated fundraising event. This event, the Cheetah Cha-Cha, is now an annual event at Utah's Hogle Zoo.

Mary moved to Namibia for six months in 2000 to serve as coordinator for the design and construction team of CCF Namibia's Education Centre. She returned the next year for another six months to serve as a research assistant. As a research assistant she worked in all aspects of cheetah care and research at CCF Namibia. In December of 2001, Mary was appointed the CCF representative in Kenya. As the head of CCF Kenya, Mary launched a study of farmland issues affecting the cheetah in the Rift Valley region. In 2009, Mary became the Director of Action for Cheetahs in Kenya (ACK). ACK is continuing the programmes started by CCF Kenya and maintains a partnership with both CCF Namibia and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). As of 2009, Mary also serves on the board of Carnivores, Livelihoods, and Landscapes (CaLL). Mary's current responsibilities include coordinating cheetah conservation programmes (in affiliation with ACK and collaboration with KWS) through fundraising, field work in research, community development, and education.

Cosmas Wambua - Senior Research Scientist

Cosmas was born in Machakos, Kenya. Cosmas received a BS degree in biology from Dr. B R Ambedkar University (Agra) in India. After graduating from college, Cosmas volunteered with KWS for two years. Most of his responsibilities involved GIS mapping, vegetation analysis, and animal census in various parks throughout Kenya. In February 2002, Cosmas joined CCF Kenya as a research assistant. His position involved a variety of duties that he continues to perform today. He assists with data collection, data entry, and analysis. He develops education programmes. He assists with mapping and vegetation analysis to increase the understanding of cheetah habitat outside the parks in Kenya.

In 2005 Cosmas received additional training in GIS in Redlands, California (US) by attending an ERSI sponsored training course. In 2008 he received his Master's Degree from Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia) in ecological and systemic biology. In 2009 Cosmas became the Senior Research Scientist for ACK. His main responsibility is to coordinate academic programmes affiliated with ACK.

P. Lumumba Mutiso - Community Liaison Officer

Lumumba is a small scale farmer in the Kiu/Salama area. Lumumba met with CCF Kenya staff in 2003 after experiencing livestock predation by cheetah and leopard. At this time he became interested in predators and joined CCF Kenya as the Community Liaison Officer in 2004. Lumumba collects data on livestock losses and cheetah sightings. He relays information to and from the people of his community. In 2008 Lumumba received training in Namibia for integrated livestock and wildlife management. In 2009 Lumumba became the Community Liaison Officer for ACK. As Community Liaison Officer his responsibilities include coordinating community activities and field data collection in the Salama area.