Our Blog – Page 2 – Ewaso Lions

Lion Kids Camp with Children from Nenyirau, May 2025

From May 5th to 9th, 2025, Ewaso Lions hosted a transformative Lion Kids Camp (LKC) for 26 young livestock herders from Nenyirau in Westgate Community Conservancy. This immersive five-day camp provided children, 88% of whom had never received formal wildlife or conservation education, with a unique opportunity to connect with Kenya’s iconic wildlife and learn about the importance of coexisting peacefully with large carnivores like lions.

Despite living near Samburu National Reserve, none of the children had ever been on a wildlife safari before. That changed on Day One of the Camp. Excitement buzzed as the children spotted cheetahs, hyaenas, giraffes, zebras, and even elephants swimming in the river. For many, this was their first positive experience with wild animals, an unforgettable moment that we hope reshaped their perceptions.

Why Lion Kids Camp Matters

Across Kenya, both rural and urban children often grow up disconnected from wildlife. In rural areas, interactions with wild animals tend to be negative, lion attacks on livestock, crop raids by elephants, or fear of predators. In cities, children may never learn about their native species. LKC was created in 2013 to bridge this gap, nurturing an appreciation and responsibility for wildlife among the country’s youth.

This Camp aimed to:

Educate children about lions, other wildlife, and the threats they face.
Promote coexistence by teaching livestock-friendly practices.
Inspire action for conservation in their own communities.

Impact in Numbers

The camp’s impact was measured through pre- and post-camp quizzes and surveys. The results speak volumes:

100% of participants went on their first wildlife safari.
92% improved their ability to identify carnivores using tracks, signs, or sounds.
86% showed better knowledge of local mammal species.
Threats awareness skyrocketed; children went from identifying an average of 2.4 threats to 11.2.
Perceptions shifted; 100% of attendees believed that wildlife brings more benefits than problems, up from 42%.
Conservation responsibility soared; before the camp, only 4% felt responsible for protecting wildlife. Post-camp? 100%.

From Conflict to Coexistence

The Camp emphasised practical coexistence strategies tailored to herding children. Activities like “The Herding Challenge” made learning fun and relatable. By the end of the Camp:

Every child listed more ways to protect livestock from predators, such as strengthening bomas (livestock enclosures) and using guard dogs.
All attendees could name actions to help conserve wildlife and their habitats, such as avoiding grazing in protected areas and reporting wildlife injuries.

Changing Hearts and Minds

Before Camp, only 38% of children said they wanted more lions in their area. After Camp, that rose to 58%. The proportion of children who “strongly liked” lions rose from 81% to 96%. Most remarkably, 100% of participants said killing wild animals is ‘very bad’.

One child shared, “My attitude towards wild animals has improved as a result of this camp.” Another added, “I enjoyed LKC and would attend another if given the opportunity.”

We are deeply grateful to Westgate Community Conservancy, Samburu National Reserve, and our donors for making this Camp possible. Your support helped inspire a new generation of Kenyan conservation leaders.

Learn More About Lion Kids Camp

Since 2013, Ewaso Lions has hosted 48 camps, reaching over 1,275 children across four counties. Our mission is clear: to educate and empower Kenyan youth as wildlife stewards. With every Camp, we get closer to a future where people and lions can continue to thrive together.

Follow our journey on Instagram, Facebook, or visit www.ewasolions.org to support our work.

Link to full report.

Conservation Conversations: Next in line

Lack of succession planning is often a barrier to having truly community-led conservation.

Early this year, we reached out to 13 exceptional conservationists and leaders to gather their insights and experiences on the topic of succession planning in conservation. Their responses were incredibly inspiring and thought- provoking. This document is a collection of their wisdom, offering valuable perspectives on succession planning in conservation. Read more here.

https://ewasolions.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Conservation-Conversations-1.pdf

The Community-led Conservation Workshop: Sharing Experiences and Insights from Across the Globe

In November, after months of preparation and countless emails, Ewaso Lions had the privilege of hosting a remarkable week-long workshop in Samburu. This gathering brought together 18 distinguished conservationists from around the world to share insights on community-led conservation and to strengthen the pivotal roles that local communities play in conservation.

A mountainous idea born before a poignant backdrop

The workshop was born out of an inspiring vision that first took shape in December 2022 during a conversation in a small restaurant surrounded by the Kyrgyz mountains of Ala Archa. It was there, at this gathering of leading conservationists, that an idea was sparked. The workshop was carefully curated to bring together a diverse group. This was part of the Whitley Gold Award that Ewaso Lions won in 2023.

Invitations were extended to conservation organisations from Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) alumni and from Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) partners, and from this pool, 11 different organisations, representing conservation perspectives from 8 different countries came together. Each organisation, sponsoring body and partner played a role in bringing together this grouping of collective knowledge and experience in conservation.

The interplay of ideas: how it was brought to life

The workshop addressed key topics in community-led conservation. One of our first sessions was spent in trying to tie down definitions for the words ‘local’ and ‘community’. In doing so, we learnt about one another’s blind spots as well as their considerations of what was most important when we consider ‘local’ and ‘community’.

The workshops were conducted with real-time translations, played through headphones, so that everyone could follow the conversations.

Many interesting insights were shared and each of us took something useful away from our discussions.

As we had these conversations, we were always sharing best practices and methodologies. Together, we discussed how these terms differ across cultural and geographical contexts, and, in having this discussion, we enriched each other’s perspectives on the importance of community leadership in conservation.

Rosamira Guillen, from Proyecto Titi – a project protecting the Cotton-Top Tamarin of Colombia -, gave us this compelling insight: “If people are not meeting their basic needs, they are not going to worry about conservation.”

This was a gathering of conservationists with invaluable insights in implementing community-led programmes in a wide array of settings and, as such, the conversations had and experiences shared contributed to a truly exciting discussion that launched new avenues for thought.

Ewaso Lions’ very own Munteli Lalparasaroi, said something which really resonated: “To be able to work with the community, you must take time and listen to the community and see what they want to do.”

In order to ensure that every voice was heard and every perspective or insight could be effectively shared, we had real-time translators working to assist us in doing so. We had community representation from so many different countries – from snow leopard conservationists working out of the Ladakh mountains in India to biodiversity advocates from the islands of São Tomé and Principe – and we wanted to ensure that language was not a barrier as everyone’s experiences were shared.

This sort of conversation across different languages and assisted by technology is something seldom attempted in an environment as remote as Samburu.

Sharing ideas in this manner was truly exciting. The translators we worked with were incredibly professional and watching this sort of real-time translation – in English, Samburu, Portuguese and Spanish – in a bush environment was something to behold.

Ground covered

One of the workshop highlights was a session we conducted in sharing conservation experiences. We did this through video interviews. We worked with a team of videographers and asked them to capture the stories that detail the on-the-ground realities, challenges, and successes of community-led conservation from those that live and breathe their organisations’ operations.

Another interesting angle to the workshop was in the conversation we conducted on succession planning. Conservationists discussed ways to ensure sustainability and continuity in conservation efforts, particularly in the context of leadership transitions. This topic underscored the importance of building resilient organisations that could adapt and thrive over time.

By the end of the workshop, and despite that we will always be learning on this front, we believe, together, these partners in conservation have built the beginnings of a framework for successful community-led conservation. This combination of diverse experiences and insights was truly something amazing to be a part of. Enriched by the voices of conservationists representing 11 different species and spaces, the conversations we had reflect a truly global perspective and it is our hope that they will form the foundation of positive and impactful change in this area.

Intersecting some of this metaphorical ground covered, we made sure to show our guests what we do in the field as well as some of reasons why Samburu – with it’s unique biodiversity – is so worthwhile protecting. When the weather and our agenda afforded it, we made sure to take a safari in Samburu National Reserve. These safaris, alongside the educational experiences led by our Warrior Watch and Mama Simba teams, allowed us to showcase Samburu’s wild spaces as we also described some of our field operations in them.

Group walks in the area were a great opportunity for our guests to learn about the habitat that Ewaso Lions works in.

These outdoor excursions were also an opportunity to show our fellow conservationists how we work to conserve lions in the area.

We were fortunate enough to get the chance to take our guests on a safari into Samburu National Reserve.

It was a pleasure to spend time with our partners from the Niassa Carnivore Project.

Following a morning with the Mama Simba ladies learning about lion habitat recovery, our guests spent some time in Sasaab village.

A big thank you from Samburu

The knowledge generated here promises to leave a lasting legacy, guiding conservation efforts toward a more inclusive, community-led approach that will help protect our planet’s biodiversity for generations to come. Ewaso Lions wants to thank each and every organisation that came and contributed to this workshop. Your support in this, and the work you do in your various spheres of influence is amazing and inspires us at Ewaso Lions every day.

This was an incredible coming together of different communities as much as it was the sharing of ideas between different conservation organisations.

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our sponsors and the hard-working people that helped organise it. So, a big thank you to Whitley Fund for Nature, Wildlife Conservation Network, Zoological Society of London, World Women Work, Andreas Fox Safaris, Norvig Family, International Rhino Foundation, Don and Carol Gagne, Brian Khepri Designs, Irene Amoke, Vic Pilates, Nas Panwar, Terri Nderitu, Alfred Simatwa, Lightbulb Studios, Binnacle Fund and Bunson Travel.

Another thank you to our hosts, Samburu National Reserve and Westgate Conservancy.

Using Technology in Lion Conservation

Ewaso Lions has helped to grow and maintain a stable lion population within our conservation landscape since our work began in 2007; however, lions worldwide and in Kenya face a significant decline. In the last two decades, their numbers have plummeted by 43%, leaving only about 20,000 remaining. In Kenya, where lions are culturally and ecologically vital, approximately 2,500 lions persist across protected and communal lands. This decline stems from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, prey depletion, among other issues. With lion habitat shrinking by 90%, human-lion encounters increase, necessitating ongoing monitoring for informed conservation measures.

Fortunately, technology has emerged as a powerful tool in lion conservation efforts. Telemetry tracking, camera trapping, remote sensing, and the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) have revolutionised the way we monitor and protect lion populations.

At Ewaso Lions, we utilise GPS-enabled collars and the SMART platform to monitor lion movements and mitigate potential human-lion conflicts. SMART provides essential analysis tools for collecting and analysing data. Through SMART, we gather valuable data on patrol efforts, conflict incidents, and lion sightings, enabling us to identify areas requiring additional conservation efforts and create conflict and habitat preference maps.

Naramat with her collar in 2020

We have customised the SMART app to include icons and pictures for our team of Warriors and Lion Governors, making data collection more accessible and efficient. In 2023 alone, we conducted 277 patrols, covering approximately 4,138 km, and identified new critical lion corridors and habitat preferences, enhancing our understanding of lion ecology in the region.

Jeremiah, Letupukwa and Lebasha out tracking lions (c) Alfred Simatwa

Patrol data collected on smart phone (c) Alfred Simatwa

Patrol efforts and wildlife observations in 2023

Moving forward, our goal is to expand our coverage, increasing both distance and awareness of critical lion habitat areas, while striving to mitigate lion-human conflicts. With technology as our ally, we are committed to protecting Kenya’s precious lion populations for generations.

In March 2024, Google published an article on how we use Google Earth to protect lions. Click here to read the article.

Matthew and Toby analyse downloaded lion tracks

Invasive Species: Challenge or Opportunity?

The encroachment of the highly invasive Prosopis julifora, known locally as Mathenge, into our lion territories presents a complex dilemma. Witnessing its rapid proliferation in key lion areas raises significant concerns, given its notorious ability to outcompete indigenous vegetation and transform landscapes into dense, impenetrable thickets. However, amidst these challenges lie unexpected opportunities.

The vast invasive species forests

Mathenge’s swift growth has inadvertently created havens for lions, providing them with secure refuges for raising cubs and seeking shelter from threats. Yet, this comes at a cost – the displacement of vital indigenous cover and the erosion of critical wildlife habitat. In particular, the gradual disappearance of the indigenous toothbrush tree, a cornerstone of lion habitat, underscores the urgency of addressing the invasive species issue.

Kwenia and Narasha walk in front of the “Mathenge” forests

While the vast Mathenge forests seem daunting to tackle, we recognise the imperative to restore lion habitats by reclaiming territory from invasive species. Our efforts, led by Mama Simba through their lion habitat recovery initiative, involves strategic removal of smaller Mathenge bushes and experimenting with the cultivation of toothbrush trees, albeit with the acknowledgment that this process may span years.

Mama Simba ladies remove “Mathenge” (c) Anthony Ochieng

It is clear that Mathenge offers only a transient solution to lion conservation, underscoring the necessity of long-term strategies centered on restoring landscapes with indigenous flora and managing invasive species effectively. By prioritising the preservation of lion habitats and promoting continued harmony between wildlife and communities, we can navigate this intricate landscape towards a sustainable future for both lions and ecosystems alike.

*This work is being done in collaboration with other partners.

Naramat’s Pride: A Thriving Legacy

Naramat, our extraordinary lioness in Westgate Conservancy, was sadly killed by other lions in 2021, but her impact lives on. She gave birth to 3 stunning females in 2019 – Mararoi, Narasha, and Masanduku, who later brought 3 more cubs into the world in 2021. Fast forward to 2023, Narasha gave birth to 3 adorable cubs – and we recently had the privilege of seeing them. Now 6 months old, Naramat’s newest grandcubs were spotted in the thick toothbrush tree bushes with their mother Narasha and all four lions seem to be thriving.

Naramat’s grand-cubs: Narasha’s latest trio of cubs born in 2023

The 3 sub-adults born to Mararoi and Narasha in 2021

Mararoi, Masanduku and Narasha – born in 2019

Naramat, an extraordinary lioness

Naramat was beloved and embraced by many in the Westgate community throughout her 13 years and was a testament to peaceful co-existence between lions and humans. To read more about Naramat, click here. Naramat’s legacy continues to inspire and awe us every day and we look forward to continuing watching her grand-cubs grow and thrive within our conservation landscape.

From Dreams to Reality: Solomon’s Journey to Becoming a Veterinarian

Solomon’s Journey to Becoming a Veterinarian: Click on this video to learn more about his journey.

Solomon’s Journey

“Going to school was not something I had ever dreamed of because no one in my family had gone to school. In the whole family, we are nineteen and I am the only one who went to school. I consider myself as the luckiest one,” Solomon Lenasalia.

Ewaso Lions, through the Jeremy Lucas Education Fund, sponsored Solomon for four years of secondary education. Subsequently, Solomon continued his academic pursuit with Ewaso Lions’ sponsorship, and in 2022, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Resource Conservation at Kenyatta University.

Since 2021, Solomon served as Ewaso Lions’ Kura’s Pride Coordinator, making significant contributions to community engagement in animal welfare and responsible dog ownership. Now he is embarking on the next chapter of his remarkable journey – studying veterinary medicine at Egerton University! We eagerly anticipate witnessing Solomon evolve into the next veterinarian in the Samburu-Isiolo region in the coming years as he completes his education.

Solomon in the village

Solomon assessing an injured donkey

Our Lion Kids Camps – How Do We Know They Work?

How do we know we are having a positive impact on the children that attend our Lion Kids Camps? To evaluate the impact of each of our camps, all attendees complete a pre-camp and a post-camp quiz. The quizzes contain a series of multi-choice questions aimed at assessing changes in attitudes and knowledge. We also conduct a short pre-camp and post-camp questionnaire containing open ended questions. Our education team are highly skilled at conducting the quizzes and questionnaires.

Our Lion Kids Camp team who conduct all evaluations (c) Lucy Maina

To date we have held 35 Lion Kids Camps with almost 1000 children from across 4 counties in northern Kenya. Some of the highlights of our latest Camp held in October 2023 include:

– 96% of the children who attended went on their first ever safari
– The average number of threats that lions face that the children stated post-camp compared to pre-camp increased from 2.3 to 6.6
– 77% of the children said that it was possible for their community to live alongside carnivores peacefully, compared to 58% before the camp
– Before the camp, 76% of children considered themselves as responsible for protecting their livestock from predation. Following the camp, this increased to 100%
– 96% of the children would like to learn more about wildlife and conservation following the camp.

For the full impact report of our last Lion Kids Camp in October 2023, click here. We thank Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Kampur Safaris for their support in this year’s Camps.

For more information on our Lion Kids Camps, click here.

To help us hold a Lion Kids Camp and increase the impact we are having, click here to make a donation. Each Lion Kids Camp costs us $2500. Thank you so much!

From Solitary Lions to Prides

For over a decade we have been mainly observing solitary lions (check out this article written on the solitary lions of Samburu). Since 2022, we have noticed a transformation and we now have a number of prides!

Nanai’s Pride

This year we have had extraordinary sightings of the Kalama pride – including 2 young cubs. In September, we watched the cubs play, Neiyo the mother hunt, and Ldere and the younger male rest under an Acacia tree. We also have a pride in Shaba, Nanai’s pride and Naramat’s pride.

Ldere in the Kalama Pride

Neiyo’s little cubs

We suspect that the formation of prides in recent times has partially been as a result of last year’s drought and the lions were squeezed in to smaller areas. Large prey was also plentiful and were easier to access, and there was no need to compete for smaller prey. Nanai’s pride in particular comprises a number of sub-adults, who are all supporting each other to adulthood. This is an interesting time for the lion population and our team are all keenly recording the changes!

From Drought to Floods

After 3 years of drought, we finally received some rain in March and April. It was such a relief to see the landscape recover. Mid year we started hearing about El Nino and the upcoming rainy season where we would receive much more rain than usual. These rains began in October and have continued through November.

On the 2nd of November, the Ewaso Nyiro burst its banks, all the dry river beds (luggas) flowed heavily, dams burst and it rained all day. Our communities were heavily impacted and many were forced to flee from their homes at night as roads became rivers and houses were submerged. A few days later, we were able to provide food support for 60 of the most affected families in Learata villages.

Community members from Learata walk on the main road in search for help

Learata village flooded on 2nd November

Food relief arrives for Learata community

60 households receive food support following the floods

Since then, the rains have continued but at a much gentler pace. It has been harder to locate the lions in the rains however our teams continue to remain vigilant and patrol areas that are passable. This tends to be a harder time for lions and other carnivores as prey disperse away from the river and are much more energetic. But for now, we are enjoying all the wildlife sightings in this special green landscape.

1 2 3 4 … 40