In January this year, an elephant was shot in northern Kenya. This elephant was not a victim of greed for ivory, but of conflict over water: Startled at a water hole by a man and his livestock, he had charged in panic. The man, in fear for his life, had fired his gun in self-defense.

Lekurruki Conservancy, where this tragedy occurred, is suffering from ever longer periods of drought. People and wildlife often come into conflict at dwindling water sources. It is a recipe for disaster.

Sand dams are a perfect water source for elephants, who like to dig water from sandy riverbeds – just like many rural dryland people. And, like people, they prefer this water to open water holes because it is clean.

We have already raised £104,050, including £20,000 from the local Mukogodo Maasai. We still need another £15,950 to build six sand dams before the start of the rains in October. Every drop of rain the sand dams catch will help people and wildlife prepare for a lifetime of droughts.