Westgate Conservancy – Ewaso Lions

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.

Monitoring Update: Carnivore News From The Team

Monitoring Update: Carnivore News From The Team

The lion monitoring team has been tremendously busy these past few months. Both in the reserves and on community lands, carnivores are thriving. Our resident lions have been gaining more and more confidence, feeling safe on community lands and in the Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves. We’ve also been lucky to have some visiting lions as well as some rare sightings of other carnivores.

From our calculations, this season marks the highest number of lions in our area of operations since we began the project. While the landscape goes through the toughest of seasons, we can take pride in the coexistence that has been built over the years with the team and community working hard to keep the culture of conservation thriving.

One of the highlights was the entry of three maned males that we had not seen in Samburu National Reserve before. These males have been in Il Ngwesi Conservancy for over a year, after first being sighted in Westgate Conservancy in June 2021 (originally from Loisaba). Our team in Il Ngwesi had been watching over them and then they made their way to Samburu National Reserve. It gives us much hope to see the movement of lions through the landscape as we continue to work to keep critical corridors open. Lpuresi and Letupukwa watched the new arrivals closely to see whether they will head back south or whether Samburu National Reserve will become their new territory. Sure enough, after less than a week in Samburu National Reserve, the 3 males headed back south to Il Ngwesi Conservancy. Their presence in Samburu led to new movement by our resident males who ventured far east and west into areas we had not seen them in before, having been supplanted by the new arrivals. Letupukwa and Lpuresi returned to camp after a week with these lions brimming with stories and experiences of what they saw.

Il Ngwesi males sit in saltbush as captured by Letupukwa and the monitoring team © Ewaso Lions

Meanwhile, Naramat’s kin, Mararoi and Narasha successfully hunted a warthog in the Westgate Conservation Area. Seeing them find healthy prey in this area where partners have just concluded the first management plan for a conservation refuge is proof that together, we can help wildlife flourish even during the tough periods.

Narasha hunts a warthog © Ewaso Lions

One of the rarest sightings we’ve had thus far has been of a leopard and her two cubs close to the river in Westgate Conservancy. She is a fantastic mother as she navigates through the complex community landscape.

Leopard looks on, shielding one of her cubs © Ewaso Lions

Our team is keeping track of all these carnivores as they navigate the landscape during this challenging season. We thank all our friends and supporters for ensuring that our work goes on, and our mission is fulfilled.

Human-Lion Conflict Increases During Drought in Samburu

Elephants cross the drying Ewaso Nyiro River in February

The Ewaso Nyiro River dried up in early January causing immense challenges for the wildlife, the local people and their livestock in the region. Wildlife and livestock congregated at small waterholes, and human-lion conflict increased during this time. Our team remained extra vigilant and responded quickly to conflict incidents. Carnivores stayed close to the river and were seen frequently -including lions, cheetahs, leopard and the endangered wild dogs.

Wildlife congregate at the waterholes in Samburu

Together with our partners, we dug waterholes in the dry river and set up camera traps at night to see which animals came to drink from them. In early April, some rain arrived and the normally dry river beds flowed for the first time in years. The Ewaso Nyiro River also started flowing which was a huge relief. The rains have been localised and in very low quantities. Much more is needed to allow the land to recover and the grass to grow.

Watch this video to see more:

Digging waterholes for wildlife

Sixth Annual ‘Running for Lions’ Race in Samburu

On May 30th, dozens of community members participated in the 6th annual Running for Lions race in northern Kenya. More than 40 runners turned up for the big day and included Samburu elders, warriors, women, and children.

We are very excited to announce that Ewaso Lions staff members took several top positions: Moses, our Head of Security, took 1st place in the Half Marathon Elders Run. Letupukwa, our Cook, came in 2nd (1 hr 29 mins). Yesalai, our Field Officer, came in at 3rd place (1 hr 30 mins) in the Youth Run. Well done to all the runners!

Runners pass Checkpoint 2 in the Running For Lions half marathon in northern Kenya.

At the end of the run, there were speeches by the organisers and partners who spoke about the importance of conservation with a special focus on protecting lions.

Ewaso Lions team members take top positions! From left to right: Letupukwa, Yesalai, and Moses.

Five years ago, Ewaso Lions conceived Running for Lions as a way to bring together the local community under the banner of conservation, to create unity, and have fun. Starting this year, Running for Lions is now a 100% community-owned event, organized and hosted by Westgate Community Conservancy.

We are proud to handover Running For Lions, which is in-line with our goal of putting conservation in the hands of local Kenyans. Westgate organised a fantastic race this year, and we look forward to seeing the future of Running for Lions in Kenya!

Moses, our Head of Security, passes Checkpoint 2.

Lekashango (left) came in 1st place in the the Youth Run. Letupukwa (Ewaso Lions Cook) took 2nd place in the Elders Run.

Running through beautiful Westgate Conservancy in northern Kenya.

> See photos from Running for Lions 5

Video: Lion Kills a Young Leopard

Warning: This video contains images that may be considered graphic to some people. We are sharing this because it depicts an uncommon behavior; a natural event that is interesting from an ecological and scientific perspective.

Jeneria was in the Westgate Conservancy’s Conservation Area and recorded this incredible scene. A small leopard was killed by lions in the early morning. The lions chased the leopard up a tree. When the leopard came down, a lion swiped it. With one cuff, it was dead.

The lions played with the body before moving on. Lions are known to kill other carnivores, since they are competing for the same resources, like prey. We estimate the leopard to be about less than one year old.

Its mother had two cubs – and one still survives.

Hundreds Turn Up for Opening Ceremony for Our New Camp

Close to 400 people turned up for the official opening ceremony of the new Ewaso Lions Conservation Centre on Saturday. Community members, partners, donors, and friends all gathered to mark this huge milestone for Ewaso Lions, and we are both thankful and humbled for such a turn out.

After having spent half the night erecting marquees, the team was up before dawn to ensure everything was ready. Soon, amidst a backdrop of celebratory song, lorry loads of community members began to arrive from all corners of Westgate Conservancy.

Arguably the most impressive entrance, however, came from our own Mama Simba ladies. Travelling by foot from their manyatta, the women could be heard long before they could be seen and, when they did arrive, came laden with gourds of milk; gifts to be used in the blessing of the new camp.

Once all the guests had assembled, our designated Master of Ceremonies, Daniel Letoiye, invited the Chairman of Westgate Conservancy to cut the ribbon and declare the Ewaso Lions Conservation Centre officially open. Led by Mzee Lalmaoi, the community elders then performed a moving blessing; chanting in unison as they filed right through camp spraying a mixture of cows milk (itself viewed as a blessing) and water (to signify that life cannot exist without water).

Then Mama Simba ladies, accompanied by other women from other locations, performed a vibrant welcoming song that had the crowd clapping along and Westgate Conservancy Management on their feet dancing!

Children from Lpus Leluai Primary School also treated the audience to a fun drama that incorporated several of Ewaso Lions community programmes; including Warrior Watch, Mama Simba and Lion Kids Camp. The children then performed a song and a lovely poem that explained how they are proud to be a part of Westgate Conservancy and encouraged their communities to join in with local conservation efforts.

In her speech, Shivani described how the project has grown from a team of 4 in 2008 to a team of 32 full-time staff today. She explained how the old camp didn’t meet the needs of the growing team especially with the long-term vision that Ewaso Lions has for lion conservation. She thanked those that helped make this dream a reality with the establishment of the new Camp. Jeneria then talked about the work of Ewaso Lions, and how crucial working with the community is for all conservation efforts.

In typical Samburu fashion, the event concluded with a prayer and an impressive feast of nyama!

It was a fantastic day of celebration and we look forward to spending many years here continuing our work for the people and wildlife of northern Kenya.

We would like to extend a special thanks to:

The Community of Westgate
Westgate Conservancy management
Our donors – The Kenya Wildlife Trust, African Wildlife Foundation and Born Free Foundation for attending our ceremony
Conservation partners including The Grevy’s Zebra Trust, Save the Elephants and Action for Cheetahs.
The Safari Collection and Sasaab Lodge and in particular Ali and Tony Allport
The whole Ewaso Lions team for making this a very special day
Daniel Letoiye for expertly performing the role of Master of Ceremonies

> Click here to read more about the new Camp.

Digging Water Holes for Wildlife and People During The Drought

The Ewaso Nyiro river is one of the only permanent sources of freshwater in the region. It acts as a vital lifeline both for wildlife and the local people and their livestock. Yet, with no significant rainfall here in several months the river is empty and landscape is getting drier and dustier with each passing day.

Whilst carnivores tend to thrive during the dry season, it can be a challenging time for other species. This month, Ewaso Lions gathered together an enthusiastic team of “diggers”, including Ewaso Lions staff, members of our Warrior Watch and Mama Simba programmes, and several Westgate Conservancy Rangers.

Our mission: to dig waterholes for wildlife and the local community.

The ladies team dig a water hole in the dry Ewaso Nyiro River.

We arrived at the dry Ewaso Nyiro River early on March 15 to make the most of the cooler morning temperatures and – keen to lay to rest false claims that we women would be unable to challenge the men in the digging stakes – split into two groups.

Whilst some of the warriors and elders made a start on the first of the watering holes, the female contingent (accompanied by two Conservancy Rangers) headed up the riverbed – narrowly avoiding a family of elephants who had beaten us to the digging in one location! We opted instead for a spot the Rangers like to refer to as “Fridge 1”, since the water there is always nice and cold.

Lengolos from our Warrior Watch programme tucks in!

Elephants proved not to be the only impediment to our digging operations. One of warriors’ waterholes had to be prematurely abandoned as Naramat and Lentim – the two lions who have recently taken up residence in the Core Conservation Area – decided that the adjacent bushes would be perfect spot to feed on waterbuck.

Nevertheless, after a competitive start, the women, warriors and elders all joined forces and we managed to complete six decent sized waterholes. It was the Mama Simba ladies, however, that really put the rest of us to shame; managing to dig in style, still adorned with their impressive jewelry.

Parasaroi from our Mama Simba programme digging in style!

Over the last few days, we have been monitoring the holes to see which species come to drink and have spotted lion tracks at one of the holes near where Naramat and Lentim were feeding. We have also seen impala and waterbuck drink and also numerous birds and primates.

We hope the rains will arrive soon!

Ewaso Lions staff and community members dig side-by-side to create water holes for people and wildlife in Samburu.

> This is not the first time we’ve helped during a dry spell. We dug water holes back in 2011 – which you can read about here.

> Read about how we adapt to climate change and drought conditions

Lions Return to Westgate’s Conservation Area

After an almost 2-year absence, lions have returned to the Conservation Area in Westgate. This area, also called the Core Area, is a 9km2 piece of habitat that was set aside by local people for wildlife and conservation.

Some of you might recall stories of a lioness named Magilani who made the Core Area her home between 2009 and 2011. Since Magilani disappeared, no lions have become residents in the Core Area.

But will this change?

Over the past few weeks we tracked several lions as they passed near our Camp here in Westgate Conservancy, using nearby luggas (dry riverbeds), then they entered the Core Area. We identified the lions as Naramat and Lentim, who were later joined by Napirai and Loiwotwa – Nashipai’s young cubs.

Naramat has moved into the Westgate Conservancy with her son Lentim.

On Christmas Day, we knew that Naramat and Lentim were in the area and we went out to try and get a visual sighting. Around 6pm we found Naramat – and she was exactly in the area Magilani used to emerge every day at 6:30 pm every day.

Ever since then, we would drive past “Magilani’s Bush” hoping that we would see lions again soon. And now we have!

Naramat sitting at the same place Magilani used to appear at dusk within Westgate’s Conservation Area.

The lions have successfully hunted warthog and baboon, and no livestock have been killed. This highlights the importance of the Core Area as a safe refuge for lions and other wildlife. Despite being fairly small sized – only 9km2 – carnivores recognize this as a safe area and if sufficient prey is available, lions and other carnivores will inhabit this area. Because people and livestock are not supposed to enter the area, this can reduce conflict with the local. This is exactly what Ewaso Lions is promoting.

It’s exciting to have lions reside here within Westgate, which is a community land outside Samburu National Reserve. In order for Kenya’s lions to endure, creating space for them outside protected areas like national parks and reserves is key.

We hope Naramat and the other lions make the Core Area their home…

Lentim, son of Naramat, peeks out of some bush.

Lentim.

Naramat along the Ewaso Nyiro River in the Conservation Area.

Mama Simba Women Continue Litter Removal Campaign

Last week we organized another clean-up effort with women from our Mama Simba program to remove litter from the landscape and replace plastic bags with reusable tote bags.

The women collected more than 2,000 pieces of plastics and metals from in and around Sasaab village in Westgate Conservancy, Samburu. The women learned how plastics can be harmful when burned or when thrown into the rivers.

Women line up to deposit the trash they collected from the village.

Guests of Ewaso Lions assisted with the removal of trash by truck.

Like last time, Sasaab Lodge assisted in the effort and took the trash away for recycling.

The excitement of the women was contagious. Spirits were high, kids were laughing and helping, and after 3 hours of collecting plastics…not a single smile had left their faces.

“Before I would always wait for Sasaab river to flow which is about once a year. I would run down to the lugga and throw all my rubbish in there. I didn’t know where my rubbish went. Now I know that it is very bad for the environment to do that and I will never do it again.” – Munteli, a member of Mama Simba

Women from our Mama Simba program participated and received a reusable shopping bag.

Highlights

– 54 women from the Sasaab village participated.
– More than 2,125 pieces of trash were collected over 2 days.
– Most of the trash comprised of plastic of plastic containers of food and water.
– Ewaso Lions distributed 54 reusable bags to the women.

We have two remaining locations to complete the clean-up in Westgate. These will be challenging locations to work in as they are close to the shops and markets and there is a lot of trash! We believe it will take more than a week to clean up each location and hope to work with the school kids on this as well when schools re-open in September.

More than 2,000 pieces of litter were removed from the landscape.

> Read more about the Mama Simba program

> Read about the first litter clean up campaign in March

> Special thanks to the World Women Work for their support of this project

Kids helped too.

1 2 3 … 6