Lion Project

Lion populations within Kenya are exposed to a rapidly changing human-occupied landscape. Lions are subjected to habitat loss, prey depletion and human-lion conflict. At the heart of this conflict, is the need for lions to have a sufficient prey base and safe refuges within human-occupied lands. 

Threats:

It takes courage to live alongside lions. As they navigate the landscape in search of prey and cover, lions in human-occupied spaces often come into contact with people, particularly when they prey on people’s livestock. While these landscapes have been shared over generations, understandably, people get angry when lions take their livestock – which symbolizes their wealth, their culture, and their food. When this happens, people sometimes retaliate by shooting, spearing, or poisoning lions and other large carnivores. Retaliatory killing has been conclusively identified as one of the major threats to the lion population.

A rising threat to both predator and prey in the 21st century is the loss of habitat through development and urbanization. Linear infrastructure development in Kenya, as with much of Africa, is experiencing a boom, with large-scale projects planned during the next two decades, fueled by foreign investment. 

Conservation Solutions:

Key solutions in the Samburu region of Kenya involve engaging young Samburu men in conservation. In turn, the warriors spread conservation messages to their peers within their communities. Programs also empower Samburu women in all aspects of their lives, providing the knowledge and skills they need to reduce their environmental impact, improve livelihoods, and help conserve and coexist with wildlife. Additionally, education targeted at youth tends to foster long-term conservation values while cultivating a new generation of wildlife ambassadors.

Information sourced from Ewaso Lions