Bringing Back Wildlife to Women: Mama Simba New Vision and Strategy
Mama Simba, meaning “mother of lions” in Kiswahili, started in 2013 and was the brainchild of two Samburu women – Mparasaroi Lemantaan and Munteli Lalparasaroi. Ewaso Lions engaged the Mama Simba women in conservation, education, and beadwork activities for a number of years.
In September 2022, Mama Simba ladies gathered to take stock of how their work was evolving and decide how to re-weight various programmes and activities. This programme now provides a platform for Samburu women to reclaim their place as the owners and protectors of wildlife. Through environmental literacy, lion habitat recovery activities, engagement and awareness work on coexistence and culture, and providing support during droughts, women are re-engaging in conservation in northern Kenya. Mama Simba now holds firmly to the historically held belief that wildlife belongs to women.
Over the past quarter, the Mama Simba ladies have been very active in their work. Helped by the arrival of a new vehicle sponsored by World Women Work, our Mama Simba ladies have worked in recovering lion habitat by controlling the spread of invasive species, managing the Sasaab Lokere (grass enclosure) by digging bunds, planting seeds and watering them, and managing a pilot tree project in the Conservation Area in Westgate. These activities are in support of partner efforts within the Conservancy.
New Mama Simba vehicle sponsored by World Women Work © Anthony Ochieng
Watch the Mama Simba Vehicle Arrival video here
Planting trees in a new trial experiment © Anthony Ochieng
Watering their trees © Anthony Ochieng
Removal of invasive species “Mathenge” © Anthony Ochieng
In addition to their lion habitat recovery activities, the Mama Simba have been extremely active during the drought and provided much-needed support for wildlife through digging of waterholes.
“A few weeks ago, we saw Loingopa walk inside the dry Ewaso Nyiro River- from hole to hole searching for water. He eventually found a small hole and dug for water an occurrence we had not seen in the past. The next day, Mama Simba ladies went to where the lions were and dug a few holes in the vicinity, and that night lions drank from the dug water holes. The following morning, my team and I found the lions resting nearby the water holes”, Jeneria Lekilelei.
Mama Simba ladies dig waterholes for wildlife © Anthony Ochieng
Here are our Mama Simba highlights for this past quarter:
- Successfully acquired a vehicle to aid them in their conservation efforts.
- Dug 20 waterholes for wildlife.
- Uprooted 70 invasive plant species.
- Held a total of 26 environmental literacy classes every Wednesday and Sunday.
- Planted and monitored the growth of tree seedlings – so far 15 seeds have germinated.
- Supported efforts in Kura’s Pride by reporting cases of sick or injured animals, brought dogs and cats for surgical procedures and vaccinations, reported livestock attacked by wildlife, and helped created awareness on improved animal welfare.
- Held 2 exposure trips to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary and Samburu National Reserve creating positive interactions between women and wildlife.
- Held 1 meeting with women on culture, conservation, and coexisting with wildlife.
- Supported each of the 4 Lion Kids Camps held this year.
- Assisted in Nanai’s operation and monitored her journey to recovery.
Banner Photo © Anthony Ochieng
