What Wildlife Research and Training Institute does

Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) is a Kenyan government statutory research and training institute established under Section 50 of the Wildlife Conservation & Management Act No. 47 of 2013 and operationalised via Gazette Notice No. 4862 of 17 July 2020. As a corporate body within the State Department for Wildlife under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Heritage, WRTI holds the sole statutory mandate to coordinate and undertake wildlife research and training in Kenya and is the exclusive issuer of wildlife research permits. It is headquartered on a campus along Moi South Lake Road in Naivasha with field research centres distributed across Kenya's major ecosystems — Maasai Mara (Narok County, commissioned February 2025), Coastal & Marine (Kwale County, commissioned October 2025), and additional wetland and northern zones.

WRTI's product and service portfolio centres on five pillars: (1) the online Wildlife Permitting Portal (permits.wrti.go.ke) integrated with Kenya's eCitizen identity system via OAuth 2.0, providing a self-service compliance workflow for the country's wildlife researchers; (2) scientific wildlife research services using aerial total line-transect dung count surveys for elephants, camera traps, species distribution modeling for human-elephant conflict (in collaboration with the University of Helsinki), and biodiversity monitoring across terrestrial and marine ecosystems; (3) capacity-building training programmes at certificate, diploma, and degree levels, including the IWAH wildlife veterinary course hosted in partnership with the Zoological Society of London and University of Edinburgh; (4) a National Wildlife Database under development as a centralised, harmonised wildlife data repository integrated with KWS and ecosystem databases; and (5) conferencing, camping, and accommodation services at its Naivasha campus (Hippo Campsite, dining, conference halls) including the WRC Safari Rally service park.

WRTI is funded primarily through government budgetary allocations to the State Department for Wildlife, supplemented by published permit fees (USD 250-700 for non-Kenyan researchers, KSh 1,200-12,000 for Kenyan researchers, with 12-month validity), training programme fees, research consultancies delivered to government agencies and conservation organisations, and conferencing/accommodation revenue. Its customer base spans the Government of Kenya (Ministry, KWS, county governments), domestic and international researchers, students and conservation professionals, international conservation bodies (IFAW, GIZ, WWF-Kenya, ACC, Born Free), and academic institutions (University of Helsinki, University of Edinburgh, Smithsonian Institution, Manchester Metropolitan University).

Name

Wildlife Research and Training Institute

Legal name

Wildlife Research and Training Institute

Website

https://wrti.go.ke

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

WRTI is a Kenyan government statutory body that exclusively coordinates wildlife research and training, issues national research permits, runs the National Wildlife Census, and delivers conservation training programs from its Naivasha headquarters and ecosystem-level field centres.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Research Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Wildlife Surveys & Movement/Connectivity Studies (e.g., Avian/Bat, Telemetry) (EUAHAHAH), Wildlife Health & Conservation Disease Management (HLAMAJAM), Research Administration & Compliance (Sponsored Programs, IRB/REB) (EDADAKAH)

Keywords

• Wildlife research
• Conservation training
• Biodiversity monitoring
• Environmental permitting
• Wildlife census services

Headquarters

HQ city

Naivasha

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Permitting and Compliance Fees: WRTI charges fees for wildlife research permits issued to individual researchers. Non-Kenyan doctorate researchers pay USD 700, Masters researchers pay USD 500, and undergraduates pay USD 250. Affiliation letters cost USD 120. Kenyan students pay KSh 12,000 for doctorate, KSh 6,000 for Masters, and KSh 1,200 for diploma/undergraduate/attachment research. Permits are valid for up to 12 months with annual renewals subject to compliance.
2. Training Programmes: WRTI generates revenue from short courses, certificate programmes, diploma and degree-level training, and capacity-building programmes delivered to students and professionals. The institute welcomes new student cohorts (e.g., 220 new students in June 2025) and hosts specialised training workshops for government and international partners.
3. Conference, Camping and Accommodation Services: WRTI operates conferencing facilities, the Hippo Campsite (camping and accommodation), and dining services at its Naivasha campus. The institute also serves as the service park venue for the WRC Safari Rally, generating revenue from event hosting.
4. Research Consultancies: WRTI offers consultancies to government agencies, conservation organisations, and county governments, providing specialised wildlife research and technical advisory services.
5. Government Funding and Allocations: As a corporate body in the State Department for Wildlife under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Heritage, WRTI receives government funding and budgetary allocations to support its statutory mandate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

WRTI is the Kenyan statutory body mandated to coordinate and undertake wildlife research and training nationwide. It issues wildlife research permits to researchers and students, conducts scientific research including the National Wildlife Census, delivers training programmes in wildlife conservation and management, and operates conferencing, camping, and accommodation facilities at its Naivasha campus. It also provides specialized research consultancies to government agencies, conservation organisations, and county governments.

Product overview

Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) is a Kenyan government institute established under the Wildlife Conservation & Management Act No. 47 of 2013. WRTI offers a portfolio of interconnected products and services centered on wildlife research and training. The core offering is the Online Wildlife Permitting Portal, a web-based system for managing research permits, complemented by scientific wildlife research services spanning biodiversity monitoring and species surveys. WRTI provides wildlife training programs including short courses and specialized training (such as the Interventions in Wild Animal Health course), and operates conferencing facilities at its Naivasha campus. The institute is developing a National Wildlife Database as a centralized data platform, supported by a network of field research centres across Kenya's ecosystems including coastal, Maasai Mara, and wetland research facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wildlife Research Permits Statutorily authorized research permits for conducting wildlife research across all Kenyan ecosystems, including plants, microorganisms, arthropods, insects, fish, and mammals. Required for any individual or institution undertaking wildlife research in Kenya, available to both Kenyan and non-Kenyan researchers at varying tiers (Doctorate, Masters, Undergraduate).
• Wildlife Training Programmes Capacity development and professional training programmes for wildlife management, including short courses, certificate programmes, diploma programmes, degree-level training, and specialized workshops in wild animal health, conservation strategies, and research methodologies. Programmes serve government wildlife officers, conservation professionals, and academic students.
• Conference and Accommodation Services Conference facilities, Hippo Campsite camping, accommodations, dining services, and grounds for hire at the WRTI Naivasha campus overlooking Lake Naivasha. Services are available to government ministries, county governments, conservation organisations, and multilateral bodies requiring event venues in a wildlife-rich environment.
• Wildlife Research Consultancies Specialised wildlife research and technical advisory services offered to government agencies, conservation organisations, and county governments. Consultancies provide scientific data, ecological monitoring protocols, and policy-relevant research outputs to support evidence-based decision-making in wildlife conservation and management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Elephant population increased from 36,280 (2021) to 41,952 (2025), a 3.99% annual growth rate
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWRTI and KWS operate under the same government umbrella and collaborate extensively on wildlife conservation, anti-poaching, and policy implementation. A Memorandum of Understanding between KWS and WRTI formalises the relationship, enabling coordinated wildlife research, census operations, rhino translocation, and data sharing. The National Wildlife Database is being integrated with KWS systems.
• African Conservation Centre (ACC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Framework of Collaboration was signed between WRTI and ACC in March 2025 by Director Dr Patrick Omondi and ACC Executive Director Lucy Waruingi. The partnership focuses on scientific research, training, community engagement, developing a multidimensional biodiversity index (MBI) for Kenya, National Ecological Monitoring Protocols, and a research hub in the Amboseli ecosystem.
• Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKMFRI chief scientist Dr James Kairo presented at WRTI's Second International Wildlife Scientific Conference on blue carbon projects and marine conservation, including Mikoko Pamoja and Vanga Blue Forest mangrove carbon credit initiatives. Collaboration spans coastal and marine ecosystem research.
• Zoological Society of LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Wildlife Health Bridge consortium that organised the Interventions in Wild Animal Health (IWAH) training course at WRTI in February 2025. The consortium also includes the Wildlife Institute of India, University of Edinburgh, University of Melbourne, Toronto Zoo, and Royal Veterinary College London.
• University of Edinburgh (Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Wildlife Health Bridge consortium delivering the IWAH training course at WRTI with 27 wildlife veterinarians from 13 countries. WRTI is the first African host for this programme after India in 2016.
• University of HelsinkicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with WRTI to release a publication titled 'Addressing Human-Elephant Conflicts in Taita Taveta County, Kenya: Integrating Species Distribution Modeling into Targeted Conservation Strategies'. Research addresses the challenge of 70% of Kenya's wildlife living outside protected areas.
• GIZ (German Development Cooperation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIZ, through its Bio Innovation Africa programme, facilitated a three-day biodiversity valorisation training at WRTI in May 2025, led by Dr Hartmut Meyer and Dagmar Honsbein. Training covered international frameworks on environmental governance, informed consent, equitable benefit sharing, and rights of indigenous communities.
• Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWRTI partnered with JOOUST and UNEP-IEMP in October 2024 to launch the Nzoia River bamboo rehabilitation project targeting 25 hectares along the Sigiri area of Busia County. JOOUST leads monitoring of bamboo growth rates, soil stabilisation, and ecosystem health.
• UNEP-International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNEP-IEMP, based in Beijing, is a partner in the Nzoia River rehabilitation project. The initiative is funded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences through its Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, aligning with Kenya's 15 Billion Tree initiative.
• IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFAW supported the National Wildlife Census 2024-2025 conducted between June 2024 and August 2025, providing financial and technical assistance. IFAW Director East Africa Ben Wandago emphasised broadening conservation efforts beyond protected areas.
• WWF-KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWWF-Kenya supported the Mau Forest Complex and Shimba Hills elephant survey using total line-transect dung count methodology. WRTI is also collaborating with WWF-Kenya and other partners (Chester Zoo, Smithsonian, Manchester Metropolitan University, Mpala Research Center) on black rhino translocation health monitoring.
• Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMKWC delegation led by Dr Robert Aruho visited WRTI in May 2025 to explore collaboration on joint research and monitoring of the Mountain Bongo and endangered species, diploma training programmes, community outreach, AI-powered surveillance, and data sharing platforms.
• Smithsonian InstitutioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with WRTI on improving black rhino translocations through measurement of health and wellbeing markers in saliva, blood, and faecal material, in partnership with KWS, WWF-Kenya, Chester Zoo, Manchester Metropolitan University, and Mpala Research Center.
• Chester ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in black rhino translocation research alongside WRTI, KWS, WWF-Kenya, Smithsonian, Manchester Metropolitan University, and Mpala Research Center. Collaboration focuses on improving translocation outcomes through health marker measurement.
• Manchester Metropolitan UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in black rhino translocation research working with WRTI, KWS, WWF-Kenya, Smithsonian, Chester Zoo, and Mpala Research Center on health and wellbeing markers for improved breeding success rates.
• Mpala Research CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the multi-institution black rhino translocation research consortium alongside WRTI, KWS, WWF-Kenya, Smithsonian, Chester Zoo, and Manchester Metropolitan University.
• Tunga Nutrition (K) LimitedminorOthersDonated 12 desktop computers to WRTI in June 2025 to boost aquaculture training under the Samaki Poa initiative, supporting skills development in fisheries and aquaculture.
• Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKWS rangers are frontline partners in the National Wildlife Census 2024-2025, providing medical care for injured animals, responding to wildlife health issues, and coordinating anti-poaching operations alongside communities. KWS and WRTI jointly conducted the census across multiple ecosystems.
• Born Free FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner supporting the National Wildlife Census 2024-2025, contributing to the multi-stakeholder effort covering Masai Mara, Ruma, Lake Nakuru, Mwea, Solio, Amboseli-Magadi, and coastal marine mega-fauna ecosystems.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wildlife Institute of India: India's statutory wildlife research and training institute; the original host of the IWAH training programme before WRTI became the first African host, sharing the same model of mandated wildlife research coordination and training delivery.
• Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI): Statutory marine and fisheries research institute in Kenya under the same government research ecosystem; collaborates with WRTI on the Coastal & Marine Research and Training Center in Kwale and on blue carbon projects such as Mikoko Pamoja.
• Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS): Sister statutory agency under the same Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife; jointly conducts wildlife censuses, anti-poaching operations, and rhino translocations, and shares data through the National Wildlife Database integration with WRTI.
• Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI): Tanzania's statutory wildlife research institute with a near-identical mandate to coordinate wildlife research and training; operates in the same Mara-Serengeti transboundary ecosystem and represents the closest functional peer to WRTI.

Emerging players

• Mpala Research Center: Field-based wildlife research centre in Laikipia, Kenya collaborating with WRTI on black rhino translocation science; a focused research operator in the same ecosystem footprint and partnership network as WRTI.

Others

• Zoological Society of London: Core partner in the Wildlife Health Bridge consortium that delivers the IWAH training at WRTI; not a peer but a closely linked ecosystem participant whose research and training investments are increasingly routed through WRTI.
• African Wildlife Foundation: Pan-African conservation NGO that funds and partners on wildlife research across Kenya; adjacent to WRTI through shared conservation programmes and donor-funding ecosystems rather than direct competition.
• Smithsonian Institution (National Zoo Conservation Biology Institute): Active collaborator with WRTI on black rhino translocation health research alongside Chester Zoo and others; comparable scientific R&D scope in wildlife conservation biology.

Regional players

• National Museums of Kenya: Kenyan government body conducting biodiversity research and listed as a WRTI partner, with overlapping responsibilities in wildlife specimen and ecosystem data collection across Kenya.

Broad incumbents

• South African National Parks (SANParks): Established African government conservation body that runs national parks and supports research within them; an incumbent conservation authority operating at greater scale than WRTI and engaging the same international scientific community.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wildlife-research-and-training-institute

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Wildlife Research and Training Institute