Today’s post was written by Pascal Fournié, founder and president of Afrique Horizons, a French organization that promotes conservation in Africa. Pascal visited Samburu in July and spent several days with Jeneria, our Field Officer. Here is his account.
The first time I went to Samburu was in 1990. During the next twenty years, I got the chance to come back several times when I worked for a French tourism company as a tour-guide. But last month, I got a wonderful opportunity to stay in Samburu for 9 days (special thanks to Laure Boisgard). I shall never forget my experience with Jeneria of Ewaso Lions. Let me tell you the story…
In contact with Shivani since last year, I told her I was planning to spend at least a week to follow lions and to take many photos of each lion. After some discussion, Shivani proposed to lend me a GPS unit to collect coordinates and other important information about lions. She also said that Jeneria could stay with me, which was a really good idea to help identify all the lions of Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves.
On 19th of July, Shivani, Paul and Jeneria came to my campsite to visit me and we spent two hours talking about Ewaso Lions’ programmes. That gave me the chance to understand all the work they do and how it is really important to support the project.
From left to right: Pascal, Shivani, Paul and Jeneria
Samburu, Buffalo Springs, Shaba National Reserves and the entire Ewaso Nyiro ecosystem is a fragile world where some species are in danger of extinction. Human and tourism pressures, habitat loss and especially climate change (which creates conflicts) can make this world disappear in the near future! And lions are one of these species at risk.
On 20th of July, Shivani came back to drop Jeneria to my camp before going to Nairobi. I could see how she was sad to leave Samburu for some months. But for us – Jeneria and me – it was the beginning of our “job”! At 8:30 am, we found two lionesses: Nashipai and Nabo. Today, I can tell you that I fell in love with Nashipai and I’m missing her so much (please, don’t repeat that, it’s between you and me)!
Nabo and Nashipai
I really loved looking at these lionesses, recording GPS coordinates and their behavior, and listening to Jeneria. I believe that fully understanding something is the first step in helping. Later, we met the Ngare Mara pride with Kofafeth, Mirtu, and Jala with a dead oryx, Sabdi and Dafana were resting somewhere else. That day was so great!
The Ngare Mara lions
Believe me, Jeneria has better eyes than an eagle! He is the GPS of the area… He knows everywhere, each road, each tree. It’s incredible. Shivani couldn’t find a better ambassador than him.
Jeneria and Pascal in Westgate Conservancy
On 22nd July, we went to Westgate conservancy. First, we stopped at Lpus Leluai Primary School where teachers have created a Wildlife Club. About 100 kids have joined the club.
After this nice visit, we went to Ewaso Lions Camp. Even if the landscape is so beautiful from the hill, the camp lacks basic comforts. As Chip Owen has written in this blog on 21st May, it looks like every day is an adventure. All together, we must make the camp to be more comfortable for the Ewaso Lions team. Shivani, Paul, Jeneria and some other people live there 24 hours per day, 365 days per year in very poor condition. Because they do wonderful work protecting lions and wildlife for future generations, and giving a better future to the Samburu community, they need bigger and more resistant tents which cost only $800 each and a permanent kitchen, and other equipment to make their work a bit easier.
The Ewaso Lions camp
To help Ewaso Lions, it is not only enough to send some money for GPS units, binoculars, camera traps… It is also to give them better living conditions. Each of us can give a little. No donation is too small, each dollar counts. Because Ewaso Lions is not widely known, they need our support.
Imagine that sponsoring Warrior Watch is $800 per year, only $65 per month (€50 per month). Without Shivani and her team, can you imagine a future for the lions in this area?
The following days, we continued to track lions. We saw very interesting behavior when the Ngare Mara pride chased Nashipai and Nabo from their territory. It was also so great to see Lguret, Lorish, Nanai, Nabolu and Sipen. Today, I know 12 lions in Samburu and, for me, all these names mean something now. My wish: to give them the chance to have a future because I really want to see them again as soon as possible!
Nashipai chased by Ngare Mara Lions
Loirish
I want to say “Thank you so much” to Jeneria, Shivani and Paul for their kindness, their love for lions and wildlife, and for the time they give to protect this wonderful world called Samburu. They don’t count the hours they spend in the bush, they don’t mind about holidays and they have put a priority in their life: to make sure lions and communities will live together forever…
Pascal Fournié
