Lion Guardians

We made a brief visit to Olgulului Group Ranch to visit Mirishi and the other murrans who are volunteering to document livestock kills by carnivores in their areas. Also, they are keeping track of which communities the lions are living near. These data will help us know where the lion-human conflict is occuring and where we should, if we get the resources, employ Olgulului Lion Guardians. The murrans are very excited about the prospect of a Lion Guardian program. They are all doing well over there and welcomed us warmly. The rains have not come to that area as much as they have been in Mbirikani. The below photo shows a pathetic situation in Olgulului. People have vacated the area in search of greener pastures. An example being the boma in the background.

While we were there we experienced a few showers for which the few remaining people were very thankful. On our way home to Mbirikani we encountered these rains and they brought us troubles. We got very stuck in this mud; it took all afternoon, a lot of man (and woman) power and a tractor to get us unstuck.

Sleeping beside the car is a murran who is tired from the hard work of pushing the car from the mud as a curious little boy looks on.