Lion Guardians

Category: Community work | Date: Jun 01 2008 | By: lionguardians

It was yet another tiring day for the Guardians, working in the scorching sun fencing bomas. A hyena has attacked in the same area again, killing one sheep. The community was very angry and told us that they wanted to kill the hyena, and that they did not want us to work on their boma to make it stronger. There were also reports that a leopard was in the area, which jumped over a boma fence, and killed a goat too. Here I am with Lenkina, pulling branches to the boma.

After some discussions, the livestock owner allowed us to try again to strengthen the fence where the hyena broke through, and we did our best to make it as solid and strong as we could. Our fingers are crossed as we wait out another long night of uneasiness with the community. This may be the last chance for the hyena now. It sounds like the community will not tolerate any more livestock attacks from it. Mokoi helps by dragging branches to add to the fence.

Share This

Tags: boma, hyena, Kenya, lion conservation, Lion Guardians, lions, Maasai, masai, warriors

3 responses so far

Category: Community work | Date: May 20 2008 | By: lionguardians

I have been away from the blog for a few days as I had to go out to collect weekly forms from the Lion Guardians. I still had three different places to go before evening fell, so I thought I should start by visiting Koikai.

When I arrived at Koikai’s neighbourhood, Olbili, I found there was a big meeting of murrans (warriors) happening. The agenda of the meeting was apparently to discuss murrans not being involved with group ranch affairs. They feel like they are sidelined, and are not given the chance to express their opinions on community matters. The only place where murrans can get jobs and be involved in the community is through the Lion Guardians program.

Here are some of the murrans after the meeting, competing to see who can jump the highest, a tradition of the Maasai murrans. They also compete to see who can throw their spears the furthest.

Koikai asked Lenkina, another Lion Guardian from Ilchalai to come over for the meeting, so that they could both talk about the Lion Guardians program to the murrans. Here are Koikai and Lenkina, with Koikai’s sister.

I was also able to speak to them about lion conservation, and the work of the Guardians. Here I am talking to the murrans.

I was glad that I could talk to them about lion conservation, as it is so important that these murrans, who might otherwise go out to hunt lions, are aware of the benefits of conserving them.

I would like to thank Fiona R, Richard V, Hashi H and Lisa R for their donations. The Lion Guardians are extremely grateful for your contributions towards their program.

Share This

Tags: Kenya, lion conservation, Lion Guardians, lions, Maasai, masai, warriors

No responses yet