Livestock – Ewaso Lions

Protecting People, Livestock and Wildlife on Our Roads

A milestone moment for people, livestock, wildlife, and the roads we share in northern Kenya: 26 new wildlife crossing signs now stand along the A2 Highway in northern Kenya, marking years of data, dedication, and collaboration.

In February 2026, we celebrated a significant milestone: the installation of 26 wildlife and livestock warning road signs along key wildlife corridors of the A2 Highway. This is not just about road signs. It is about recognising that the roads cutting through our landscape are also shared by lions, elephants, zebras, and the livestock of the communities who call this place home.

The A2 Highway passes through some of the most important habitats and wildlife corridors in northern Kenya, cutting across National Reserves and Community Conservancies, including Kalama Community Conservancy, where wildlife and people continue to coexist. This Highway is essential for northern Kenya, and so is ensuring it is safe for every user of this landscape, whether people, livestock, or wildlife.

Where the Signs Are and Why It Matters

The 26 signs have been strategically placed in high-risk areas where wildlife-vehicle collisions have been documented over many years. Over 400 animals have been killed along the A2 Highway in northern Kenya over the past decade, including 2 lions hit between Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves. By alerting drivers to wildlife crossing zones, these signs act as a first line of defence, slowing drivers down, raising awareness, and ultimately saving lives on both sides of the road.

The placement of these signs was based on data collected over many years through the Northern Kenya Road Watch. Citizen Science was a key aspect where drivers, community members, and conservation partners alike provided a robust dataset on how wildlife traverses the landscape, tracking movement patterns, identifying pinch-points and critical corridors, and building the evidence base needed to act.

A Long-Term Message

While these signs are a short-term mitigation measure, they carry a long-term message: that the threats facing wildlife in shared landscapes are real, that they are being taken seriously, and that action is possible. Road kills have been a serious concern across this landscape for years. Seeing tangible, on-the-ground action is something we do not take for granted.

There is still much work to be done. But every sign installed is a signal, to drivers, to communities, and to the wildlife navigating this landscape, that this road can be made safer. That we are paying attention.

The Power of Collaboration

This achievement represents years of collaborative work to reduce roadkill, protect lions and livestock from being hit, and ensure road-user safety in the landscape we all share and would not have been possible without the dedication and partnership of many. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), the Northern Kenya Road Watch and all its partners, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the National Reserves, Westgate Community Conservancy and Kalama Conservancy all played a critical role. Their collective commitment to finding solutions is a powerful reminder of what is possible when conservation organisations, government agencies, and local communities work together toward a shared goal.

We are also grateful to Action for Cheetahs, the Grevy’s Zebra Trust and Save the Elephants, among others, whose contributions to the data collection and initiative made this possible. Conservation at this scale demands exactly this kind of coordinated, cross-sector effort. We are also grateful to Ewaso Lions donors for funding the construction of these road signs.

Written by Victoria Wanjohi and photos by Simatwa Ngachi.

Predator-Proof Boma Installed After Lion Attacks

The lion population on the Laikipia commercial ranches is an important source population of lions for the entire region. In the past two years, drought conditions in the wider area have led to some communities encroaching on private lands in the search of grass. This has resulted in increased human-lion conflict, as the lions on the ranches have encountered more livestock. Lions that had rarely or never killed livestock previously began killing them regularly, creating a propensity for killing livestock.

After the rains returned, community livestock herds returned to their traditional grazing grounds, yet the lions continued targeting commercial ranch livestock. This led to many of Laikipia’s lions being seen as ‘problem animals’, putting the lions at an increased risk of being killed by ranchers.

Laikipia ranchers have designed a new steel boma system, which is highly effective at protecting livestock from carnivores, as well as improving range management. We leveraged our good relations with ranchers to first try these new predator-proof bomas rather than having the ‘problem lions’ killed. We co-financed two new steel bomas on Loisaba Ranch, which was selected because it was being repeatedly attacked by lions and lost 5 cattle over the preceding 12 months.

Since the construction of the steel bomas, zero livestock have been killed by lions.

These new style of bomas are built of strong interlocking steel gates, so they are both light and portable, but also very strong. Livestock can be packed in (200 per boma), which deters lions from jumping inside.

The bomas are designed to be portable which means the grass management is better because they are moved to prevent overgrazing. They actually improve the condition of the grass because a short period of time exposed to a lot of cow dung and urea acts to fertilize the ground but does not destroy it. The boma is very durable and requires minimal maintenance, and does not require cutting of local trees or bush, like the traditional bomas do.

In short, these bomas protect cows, livelihoods, lions and the grassland. Anything tested and found to work in Laikpia could be adapted in other community areas, where livestock depredation by lions is a constant and on-going issue.

Lions have been shown to stop killing livestock when it proves to be too difficult. By replacing remaining weaker boma designs with steal bomas, thus making all bomas as lion-proof as possible, lions will hopefully again stop viewing livestock as a primary prey source. Should cattle loss be minimised, this measure could save a good number of lions from being killed, and these lions can live to disperse to other parts of northern Kenya to sustain viable populations.

The bomas were funded by National Geographic’s Build A Boma initiative and implemented in partnership with Lion Landscapes .

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

Conflict Threatens Lions in Samburu

Last week, we received word that a lion had killed a camel in the Westgate Conservation Area. We went to investigate and found the carcass of an adult female camel.

During the night, the camel and her calf had been chased out of their enclosure (or “boma”) by another camel. She ran into the Conservation Area, where she was killed by the lioness. The calf ran back to the village and was attacked by hyenas. She managed to survive, but suffered some severe injuries.

We went to the village to speak to the owner of the camels. We learned that the boma was in fact left open and the entrances were not entirely covered, which is how the camels easily escaped. We helped treat the camel’s deep gashes.

This was the second lion-camel incident in one week and we followed up by having community meetings within the entire group ranch. We spoke about the need to make bomas stronger with closed entrances so camels and other livestock do not escape and end up in predator territory. Herders need to be extra careful and avoid areas where lions are present.

The meetings were well-received and the owner of these particular camels immediately reinforced his bomas to better protect his camels.

After this incident, I did wonder to myself, who was the lioness that killed the camel? Could this be Magilani?

The rains continue in Samburu. It is so green and beautiful at the moment, white and purple flowers blanket the landscape. But amidst this beauty, conflict persists between lions and the local communities in Westgate Community Conservancy. If this conflict continues, things could get grim for the lions.

Lpuresi, Ewaso Lions Warrior, investigates the area where the adult camel was killed

Jeneria, Ewaso Lions Research Assistant, attempts to catch the young camel

Treating the injured camel

Mporian, member of the Ewaso Lions Warrior Watch programme, speaks to other warriors at Sasaab village

Rains Arrive In Samburu!

The rains are finally here!!! This is the worst drought that most people can remember. Livestock and wildlife have died in large numbers over the past few months and the river remained dry for most of the year. It has been desperate and the most difficult period that I can remember during my years in Samburu.

One of the last surviving warthogs died a few weeks ago

Arid landscape

Digging waterholes in the river for the wildlife

A few weeks ago, we began to see signs of rain. Dark clouds were forming daily and the days were scorching. It eventually began to rain all around us but never quite reached Samburu. The Samburu ladies sang in the river, throwing milk and praying for rain to come. Each day we would look at the river and wonder if today was the last day we would be digging. This went on for days.

Rains in the distance

Finally on the 10th of October, the river flowed! This was such an exciting moment. We had seen signs of rain all around us and knew that the river had to flow soon. We got word that the river was seen flowing 20 kms upstream from camp and there was a buzz in camp as we knew that we would see the great Ewaso Nyiro River flow very soon. At 2 am, we heard it! We rushed down to the river at 5:30 am and saw the river flowing – it was amazing to see large volumes of water come past us.

The Kipsing lugga flowed into the Ewaso Nyiro

Clear views of Mount Kenya and the Ewaso Nyiro the day after the river flowed

All signs of rain then vanished and we had clear skies for a few days. The river was also beginning to disappear again and dropped to low levels. People were getting very disappointed and some were beginning to lose hope that it would ever rain at all. But, on the 14th of October at 4:00 pm, it finally began to rain – properly!!! We rushed around camp, packing everything up and throwing stuff into Gypsy (project vehicle) and sat under our shade and watched the rain fall. It was amazing. We recorded our very first rainfall amount with our new camp rain gauge.

Rain close to camp

Jeneria, Ewaso Lions scout, excited after feeling rain for the first time in a year

The Ewaso Nyiro flowing on the 15th of October

A warthog family walk down to the flowing Ewaso Nyiro to have their first drink of water from the river in months

A dikdik drinks from the small waterholes that have filled many of the roads in the reserve

After months and months of dryness and death all around us, everyone is so excited. I just hope this is not temporary and the rains will continue over the next few months. It needs to rain pretty much everyday. Eventually the area will recover and the wildlife and livestock will come back. Samburu is a stunning area when its green and lush – its been so long since I have seen it that way and I can’t wait to see what the area will look like in December.

In the meantime, I am heading home to Nairobi very soon. It has been a long long field season – and a very difficult one because of the conditions here. We will be packing up camp over the next few days and I will then be in the reserve watching how everything will respond to the new rains, including how lion movements will begin to change after they have spent months and months along the river.

Speaking of the lions; they are doing great and have had an easy time over the past few months. I’ll be writing about them soon but in the meantime, here is a photo of Nanyiro, that I took a few days ago.

Nanyiro looking great a few days ago

It’s raining all around me and I can hear thunder everywhere as I post this blog!

Lioness Kills Donkey

A few days after the 3 lions killed 3 cows, I was driving in the Conservation Area in West Gate Community Conservancy, when I met the Head of Security patrolling on the main road. He said he had just heard from a herder that a lioness had killed a donkey a few minutes ago.

We drove to the scene approaching slowly so as not to scare away the lioness. We found her hiding in the bushes very scared and nervous. She eventually came out and got used to my presence, and then eventually started feeding on the donkey as it got dark.

Lioness nervously hides in the bushes and watches

Lioness coming out slowly. Notice the donkey at the bottom of the photo.

My first good look at the lioness as she approaches the donkey to start feeding

This was the second incidence in a week where unguarded livestock were killed by lions. Donkeys are rarely herded and are left to move wherever they want. In this instance, they had wandered across the river into the Conservation Area and one got killed. The herder across the river with his cows had heard the commotion and crossed over quickly, chasing away the other donkeys.

Lions Kill 3 Cows

During my regular monitoring of the Conservation Area in West Gate Conservancy,we saw a Samburu elder in the distance who appeared to be walking around keenly searching for something.

I turned off the engine and we walked towards him asking if there was any problem and the reason he was in the Conservation Area at 6:15 am. He said that during the night, 15 cows had wandered across the river into the Conservation Area. Three of those cows had been killed by lions at 5:30 am – not long before we arrived. He was in the process of looking for the other lost cows.

I alerted the community scouts via the security radio and they soon arrived to assist with looking for the cows and also to investigate the lion killings. We walked around and the elder showed us the 3 cows that the lions had killed.

Cow killed by lion

It was clear from the tracks and the layout of where the lions had killed the cows, that there were 3 lions who had killed the 3 cows. They had dragged off most of the first cow and we were unable to find the remains initially. Later on, we found the head and body stashed in a thick bush. The second cow had been eaten partially, mainly at the rear and it was clear that the lions had eaten most of the third cow.

Ricila, Ewaso Lions tracker, looks at the remains of the eaten bull

Eventually the community scouts and the Samburu elder found the lost cows and they were herded back across the river. The elder was not happy at all as he had lost approximately Kenya Shillings 100,000 ($1300) as a result of this incidence. Two of the cows killed also had young calves back in the village and he was concerned about their survival.

The scouts monitored and patrolled the Conservation Area for the rest of the day to ensure that livestock did not wander in again and also to ensure that the lions were protected in this small area.

That evening the elders from the village where the cows had come from, returned to cut up the remains of the cows and roast the meat. Donkeys arrived late in the night to transport all the meat back to the village.

I returned the following morning and all that remained from this conflict incidence, were many vultures and marabou storks feeding on the few remains of the cows.

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