Community Assistance Through Lions for Life

By John Merishi, Head of People and Culture

Over the years, Lion Guardians has provided various forms of assistance to the local communities within our operating areas in the Amboseli ecosystem. Our Guardians, who serve as grassroots liaisons, play a vital role in delivering this support to their respective zones. Thanks to the Lions for Life program, we have been able to provide communities with vital support over the years. This includes searching for lost people and livestock, guiding herds and their herders through dense areas where lions may be hiding, reinforcing bomas (livestock enclosures) with weak or damaged fences to prevent incursions, and more. 

Livestock Treatment

Lion Guardians provides essential medication to treat livestock injured by lions, offering much-needed assistance to livestock owners. Access to treatment ensures injured animals have a better chance of recovery, reducing potential losses for owners. Additionally, we support by transporting sick or injured livestock from grazing fields to safety, protecting them from any potential lion attacks.

Lion-Proof Bomas

To address boma incursions, Lion Guardians piloted a movable livestock enclosure in the Olbili and Mbirikani Group Ranches with no depredations reported following its construction. Plans are in place to adapt and build more  predator-proof enclosures as part of our conflict mitigation toolkit. Additionally, we donate and install lion lights (used to deter lions) to bomas experiencing the highest number of incursions, with beneficiaries identified using our depredation data.

Education Support

Education is critical for both conservation efforts and rural development. Lion Guardians supports local education by paying salaries for three community teachers to assist in supporting the communities and the next generation of conservationists. We also contribute to education fundraisers, helping students transition from primary to high school. In 2024, we supported 10 school fundraisers.

Human Health

Snake bites are common in the Amboseli ecosystem, prompting Lion Guardians to support local clinics with donations for anti-venom and anti-rabies medication. These treatments also address bites from dogs, hyenas, and lions. Additionally, we provide emergency transport services for sick community members, ensuring timely access to critical medical care that helps save lives.

Extending Support to Neighboring Communities

Communities adjacent to our operating areas have also benefited from our programs. Two decades ago when we began Lion Guardians, lions were not found to roam into these areas, but as the population has boomed, the lions have extended their range to include neighboring communities. Over the past year, we recruited Master Herders, purchased medication for livestock injured by lions, installed lion lights, and contributed to school fundraisers in these neighboring lands. The local communities have expressed their gratitude for the assistance, with many recognizing the positive impact of conservation efforts. These benefits have played a crucial role in fostering greater tolerance for lions and wildlife.

We remain committed to supporting communities while promoting peaceful coexistence between pastoralists and wildlife in the Amboseli ecosystem. Together, we can ensure a sustainable future for both people and lions.