Today, we have a very special blog written by one of our key supporters, Chip Owen. Chip, who lives in San Diego, CA, has been a long time donor and advocate for conservation projects in Africa and serves on the boards of various non-profits. He regularly returns to Kenya where he is especially involved in Samburu. Chip asked to write a blog and here are his thoughts…
As most of you know, I recently returned from an extended trip to Kenya including a stay at the Ewaso Lion’s camp. I asked Shivani if it would be ok for me to write about some of my thoughts on the trip and she has been gracious enough to allow me to post my thoughts. As Shivani had already told you, my visit included a wonderful camping trip to the Mara with Shivani, 4 of her team from Ewaso Lions and and several other of my Samburu friends. It would be easy to write about our adventures camping in the Mara or my day long walk up and down the dry Ewaso Nyiro River bed with five warriors and three scouts, or helping dig waterholes to keep the local wildlife going during what appears to be another drought . But what I really wanted to talk about is the amazing job that Ewaso Lions is doing in conservation and how we all can help their effort to protect the remaining lions in the Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba ecosystem and the conservancies around the reserves.
Walking in the dry Ewaso Nyiro River bed with the scouts and warriors
So how many lions are left in the wilds of Africa? As you can imagine there is no real way to know. I’ve read that there could be anywhere from 12,000 to 25,000 remaining today —seems like quite a few until you put in perspective. Just fifty years ago the population estimates were there may have been as many as 450,000!! So in one lifetime an estimated 95% of the lion population has disappeared. We have to help and we have to do it now!
I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to and observe a number of conservation and research projects throughout the world and I can say without hesitation that what I’ve seen in Samburu at Ewaso Lions is the wave of the future and in my view one of the most forward thinking conservation projects I’ve encountered. For wildlife conservation to be successful the local community must see it as having value. Studies repeatedly show that the number one animal that tourists on safari want to see are lions. Shivani and her team are doing a magnificent job of involving the community through the Warrior Watch program, education, employing people from the community and working with them to show that lions and pastoralists can co exist with improved stock protection methods. Not to mention the tree planting project and the critically acclaimed Simba Stories book written and illustrated by local elementary school children.
The even more amazing thing is they are accomplishing so much with so little. To put it mildly this is a project that gives great ‘bang for the buck”! No frills here and it takes a lot of plain hard work by everyone involved to do what they do . Up before dawn to get ready for the field and out at sunrise through the heat of the day and with the last light they transect the Core Conservation Area and set the camera traps for the night. Imagine that every drop of water whether for drinking, or cooking or washing is carried from over a half mile away. A few tents, some solar cells, one vehicle and some really dedicated folks helping nature and the local community.
The very simple Ewaso Lions Camp
So with more support I’m confident even more great work can be accomplished. So as a long time supporter, I am asking you to donate to this amazingly worthwhile project and to do it today. Your support is critical and all donations make a big difference no matter the size. It only takes about $150 to pay the monthly salary of a scout who helps patrol the conservation area and protect the wildlife. GPS units for the warriors are high priority right now and they are about $100 a piece. And we can sponsor the entire staff of 16 warriors working in their community to protect wildlife for only $ 7,000 for the year. Talk about money well spent! So maybe you can’t give the whole $7,000 for the year, but we can all give something and if you want your donation to go to a specific need, here are a few others :
Camera Trap $200 each and 2 are needed
Binoculars for Warriors $80 and 8 are currently needed
Rechargeable Batteries and solar chargers $90 and 10 are needed for the warriors
Camp Solar Panels $ 2,600 (they need more power as they do struggle with charging laptops and hand held radios for communication)
An Office Tent $1,500 (their old office tent has been destroyed in the rains and strong winds)
Or feel free to contact Shivani or me to talk about some other way to make a donation. There are many needs where you can really help.
But we need to act now!
So click here and make a donation today –I’m making another as soon as this is posted.
Help Ewaso Lions give the remaining lions a better chance at survival and the opportunity for future generations to see them in the wild as they should be.
Thanks so much for your help and support.
Chip Owen
San Diego, CA USA