Ewaso Lions

Category: Other news | Date: May 25 2009 | By: ewasolions

I was thrilled to have Nina Fascione and her husband Steve Kendrot come and stay with us at the Ewaso Lions camp a while back.  Nina is the Vice President for Field Conservation for Defenders of Wildlife and a renowned human-wildlife conflict expert.  Today we have a special guest blog written by Nina!

After looking for her intently for so long that my eyes strained, I wasn’t actually expecting to see her when we did come upon her. Lekuraiyo, standing next to me with our heads sticking out of the top of the jeep (his head sticking out much farther than mine!), gently tapped me on the shoulder and said “lion.”  And there she was, standing partially hidden in the brush and still as a statue, staring at us without moving a muscle, the better to remain unseen.  In my excitement, I leaned down, punched Shivani on the arm and hissed “lion!”  Shivani was thrilled to see Magilani, the lioness she had been monitoring for several weeks, but not as much as I was, as this was my first wild lion. Indeed, it was my first trip to Africa.  Despite having worked with animals and in the conservation world since 1980, I had never before made this journey to the epitome of wildlife meccas.  My husband Steve, also a wildlife biologist, and I traveled to Northern Kenya to visit Shivani and learn more about her work.

Nina with Francis (Ewaso Lions Scout) and Lekuraiyo (Ewaso Lions tracker) standing in Gypsy

I met Shivani when she became a student in the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL) class, a leadership training program that I co-founded and teach.

Shivani’s large carnivore conservation resonated with me because it parallels the work I oversee in North America as vice-president for field conservation for Defenders of Wildlife. Defenders has successfully worked to restore wolves, grizzly bears and other endangered species to parts of the United States, and the challenges we encounter while doing so are similar to the challenges Shivani faces in her work studying and protecting lions in Kenya: primarily, conflict with humans, including direct conflict as well as human-caused habitat loss and fragmentation.

Conflicts between humans and wildlife can seem like overwhelming obstacles to successful conservation programs.  In the United States, some ranchers and hunters object to the restoration of large carnivores, as they view them as a threat to their livelihoods.  Defenders has helped ameliorate these conflicts through several successful programs, such as our livestock compensation trust, in which we reimburse ranchers for verified livestock losses to wolves and grizzly bears.

We also maintain a proactive program, through which we work with ranchers to take steps to prevent livestock losses.  Defenders will fund the purchase and implementation of tools to keep wolves and bears away from livestock. These methods include livestock guarding dogs, fencing, employing range riders to monitor livestock and so on.

These programs have gone a long way in preventing conflicts, as well as reducing the animosity some local residents feel toward large carnivores and, presumably, the legal or illegal killing of carnivores. Through the Ewaso Lion project, Shivani is similarly working with local people – the Samburu – to understand the causes of and find solutions to prevent conflict and animosity towards predators and other wildlife in Kenya. For example, Shivani is working with local villages to ensure that bomas, the pens made out of brush where the livestock are housed at night, are strong enough to deter predators.

Biological studies are increasingly demonstrating that predators are essential to a healthy ecosystem. In addition, they bring vital economic benefits to regions through ecotourism. And perhaps most importantly, carnivores provide us with deep-rooted cultural and aesthetic values. Whether working to protect wolves in Yellowstone National Park in the United States or lions in the Samburu ecosystem in Kenya, we should all care about their conservation.

Tags: Africa, Conservation, Ewaso Lions, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Kenya, Lions, Samburu, wildlife

3 responses so far

Category: Other news | Date: Jan 12 2009 | By: ewasolions

Dear readers,

I found the following 2 papers on leopard feeding habits which talk about leopard cannibalism:

This paper describes leopard food habits in a National Park in Gabon, where leopard remains were found in a leopard scat analysis study.

This second paper also describes prey selection of leopards in the Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Thanks to everyone for your comments on my last blog on leopard cannibalism!

Shivani

Remains of the leopard killed and eaten by another male leopard in Samburu, N. Kenya

Tags: Africa, Cannibalism, Kenya, Leopards, predators, Prey, Samburu, wildlife

3 responses so far

Category: Donors | Date: Jan 11 2009 | By: ewasolions

Dear Sauwah, Wanda, Madeliene and Artie,

Thank you so much for the recent donations made in December towards the Ewaso Lion Project.  Your support is going a long way in helping secure a future for this unknown lion population in Northern Kenya. Thank you again!

I hope you enjoy the next few blogs I’ll be posting.  A lot has been going on here including a fantastic sighting of the Samburu females with their cubs.  To give you a taster of whats to come, I have included the photo below.

Thank you again!

 Shivani

Nabo and her cubs

Tags: Africa, Conservatio, Kenya, Lions, Samburu

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Category: Other news | Date: Jan 07 2009 | By: ewasolions

I monitor and patrol the Conservation area in West Gate Community Conservancy on a daily basis, recording all sightings of not only predators but wild prey too and even livestock, who at times encroach into this small area in the middle of the conservancy.

A few days ago, during my morning drive, I saw a huge leopard just about to cross the road in front of me. I turned off the engine and waited as the leopard, as most animals in West Gate are, was very nervous. The leopard sat on the road and watched me nervously and it was then that I realized it was actually holding onto something.  It was hard to see what it was but as I tried to get closer the leopard moved off with it.  It was then clear what was being dragged – another leopard.

Male leopard watches me

The leopard dragged the other one across the road holding onto its prey and moved off into the nearby bushes.  It disappeared from sight as it hid in the thick Salvadora bushes on the side of the road.

The leopard dragged its prey and disappeared into the nearby thick bushes

I was confused  -what was going on? Was this a female with her dead young one? Did the lions kill this leopard (3 lions were in the area the previous night) and another leopard found it and was dragging it away? Or did this leopard actually kill this other one?

It became clear that this was indeed a male leopard and not a female one.  A few hours later we returned with the scouts from the conservancy and went into the bushes on foot.  The scouts spotted the dead leopard hidden deep in the Salvadora thicket.  It was a younger male leopard and it had been clearly suffocated by the older leopard.  The killer had eaten a large chunk of the stomach but left the rest.

Remains of the leopard’s prey

The younger leopard had been suffocated

The killer leopard was seen again the following morning in the same area but there were very few remains of the younger dead leopard.

I was and still am pretty shocked.  About a year ago I saw a leopard kill and eat a cheetah in Samburu, but this was the first time I had heard of a leopard killing and eating another leopard.  The reasons are obvious – territoriality, competition.  However, eating it was what shocked me.

The scouts of the conservancy are all intrigued by this occurrence and Stephen, the Head of Security of the conservancy, said “Anything is possible here in West Gate”.

It sure is!

Tags: Africa, Cannibalism, Community, Kenya, Leopards, predators, Prey, Samburu, West Gate, wildlife

17 responses so far

Category: Other news | Date: Dec 25 2008 | By: ewasolions

Below are a few video clips from Raph’s wedding in Wamba.  It was a very vibrant occasion full of colour and dance.  Perfect viewing for this Christmas period!

Happy holidays to you all,

Shivani

Below is a warrior dance and song specific to Samburu ceremonies.  They sing about cattle raiding, the areas they walk through and the battles they fight.  See if you can spot Jeneria!

This dance shown in the clip below is another ceremonial dance where the warriors dance with girls and ladies.  This is one my my favourite dances!

This dance has both men and women dancing.  The warriors are in the centre with women and young girls surrounding them.  It is normal for the women to have huge beaded necklaces which they move around their neck as they dance.

Tags: Africa, Ceremonies, Conservation, Lions, Samburu, Wamba, Wedding

4 responses so far

Category: Other news | Date: Dec 23 2008 | By: ewasolions

We are approaching the end of 2008 and what a year it has been.  Thank you to all the donors who have supported this project and come to our rescue when we really needed it.  Generous funds have been donated towards Gypsy, a new hard drive, camp solar system, Joseph’s salary, vehicle security radio and new tyres for Gypsy.  In total, $1585 has been donated through the blog for the Ewaso Lions project since May.

My heartfelt thanks to you all who have made donations.  Each and every single penny donated goes a long way in securing the future of this unknown lion population in Northern Kenya.

However, urgent funds are still needed to keep the project going! As an Xmas appeal to you all, I am asking for donations to be made towards:

1. Fuel for Gypsy:  My grant for fuel ran out in November and I have been unable to secure further funding for fuel costs.  $10 will provide enough fuel for a day and I urgently need some funds for the next few months.
2. Salary for Lekuraiyo: Unfortunately, I have no funds to cover Lekuraiyo’s salary which is $100 a month.  I would be most grateful for any donations that can be made towards his salary.  He is a key member of the team and without him I would never find any lions!
3. Digital camera for Raphael:  Raph has worked for more than a year on this project and urgently needs a digital camera for capturing images of the important community work he is doing in the conservancy.  A second hand digital camera will be most appreciated or a donation of $100 for a new Nikon camera.
4. Service costs for Gypsy:  These are costs that are very hard to seek funds for.  Every 5000 kms, I need to ensure that Gypsy gets a full service.  Since January this year, close to 17000 kms have been covered and the last service under warranty is due in 2 weeks time.  The service will amount to approximately $200 however I do not have funds for this and being the last service under warranty, it is vital that the service is done.  Any help towards this would be most appreciated.

Thank you for considering my appeal.

Wishing you all a very Merry Xmas and all the best for the New Year,

Shivani

My favourite photo - Nashipai on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro

Tags: Africa, Conservation, Ewaso Nyiro, Kenya, Lions, Samburu, wildlife

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Category: Other news | Date: Dec 22 2008 | By: ewasolions

It has been a really successful year with a lot happening; good and some bad but mostly great and exciting. Below are some of the highlights of the year.

-  The Ewaso Lions (El) team was formed early in the year.  Raphael (community officer), Joseph (camp manager and cook), Lekuraiyo and Ricila (trackers) and Jeneria, Francis and Jeremiah (Ewaso Lions scouts) joined by myself formed the team.  I am so fortunate to have such a fantastic team to work with and we have had many memorable moments this year.

The Ewaso Lions team

-  The lion population has changed during the year.  Nashipai and the rest of the pride gave me many worrying moments by disappearing for weeks but then coming back eventually.  A new female Naibor was seen in Samburu including a few new females in Ngare Mara.  Nashipai, Nabo and Uni were the most commonly seen lionesses and I spent an interesting afternoon in October watching Nabo attempt killing a waterbuck.

Nashipai and Nabo - the two sisters

- The best news of the year was when Nashipai and Nabo gave birth to cubs and we now have 5 healthy cubs roaming the reserve with their mothers.  I saw the cubs recently upon return to the reserve and will blog about this soon.  Samburu did not have cubs for more than 2 years so this is very exciting!

Nashipai’s two cubs in October

- It was really exciting to see lions in the conservation area of West Gate.  I was fortunate to have 4 sightings of these wild “Real Lions“.   But it was pretty scary when these 3 new males entered the reserve when the cubs were very small and Nabo had to fight them off. They have now become resident and the females are doing a great job keeping the cubs away.

Lguret watching me from the bushes

- We set up the Ewaso Lions (Echo Lima) camp in West Gate Conservancy and spent a few months there.  It was a fantastic set up and we had some great experiences.  It is located in the heart of the conservancy and we use this as a base to find lions, work with the communities, and much more.  We have recently moved back there and will be there until the middle of February 2009.  It is great to be back!

Mess tent in the camp

- We’ve had 2 staff weddings this year - Jeremiah and Raph both got married in 2008 and the weddings were colourful, fun and vibrant.

Joseph and Jeneria dance at Raph’s wedding

-  Sadly, there was a bad event that took place during the year as well. I got robbed in August but thanks to the fantastic efforts of the entire EL team, the thief was found and my money was recovered. I learned a lot from this experience.  Also, my hard drive crashed on my computer in September and I lost many photos and valuable information.  I definitely learned from this lesson too!

- The rains finally arrived in October after a very dry year where people, their livestock and the wildlife really suffered.  However it only rained for under 3 weeks and the area is already beginning to dry up.  We hope that there will be some more rain before the next rains which are due in April.

Koitogor Hill, in the heart of Samburu, becomes green after the first rains in October

-  I started the Ewaso Lions tree project in February this year.  To date more than 70 trees have been planted in schools, villages, community areas and in our camp.  It has been very successful and I am thrilled to report that we have had a more than 80% tree survival rate.  We intend to expand the tree project next year within more villages.

Students from Attan Primary plant their tree

-  We had a few carnivore deaths during the year.  One male lion was killed by another during a fight in October.  Also, a zebra killed a cheetah in June which was very fascinating and we spent many hours guarding this dead cheetah from scavengers. A striped hyena was also found dead in March but the cause of death was not established.

Performing the necropsy on the cheetah

-  We were in the news this year!  The project had 2 articles published  -in the Daily Nation and also the East African.

-  I began showing wildlife films in West Gate to the local communities. This was a huge success and I hope to continue with more wildlife film showing in 2009.  The showing of films is so important and it is a great way to spread important conservation messages to the local communities. Many of them have never seen these animals properly nor a video before.

Wildlife video projected on Gypsy

- Thanks to donations, I was able to purchase a fantastic vehicle - Gypsy!  This car has been the best thing I have ever bought.  She is extremely tough in the bush, never gets stuck and has gone through very difficult terrain.  She has transported sick people to hospitals, wedding parties to villages and I have been able to monitor all the lions and move within the communities.  Gypsy is one of the only vehicles in West Gate and the communities and wildlife scouts depend on her greatly to assist with emergencies that may arise.

Driving Gypsy through West Gate

So, as you can see, its been a really good year and we could not have achieved what we have done without your support and donations.  We look forward to your continued support,  interest and enthusiasm in the Ewaso Lion Project in 2009.

Ashe Oleng!

 Shivani

Tags: Africa, Conservation, environment, Ewaso Nyiro, Kenya, Lions, Samburu, trees, wildlife

4 responses so far

Category: Other news | Date: Nov 17 2008 | By: ewasolions

Dear friends and readers of Ewaso Lions,

I will be away from Samburu until the 15th of December.  However, the Ewaso Lion Scouts, Raphael and Joseph are still in the field continuing with their work.  Raphael has been busy moving from village to village in West Gate recording conflict during this rainy season when conflict is at its peak.  Joseph is catching up with data entry, and the scouts are patrolling their areas, finding and monitoring lions.

I am currently at university in England and will be here for a few more weeks.  I am analysing my data that I have collected to date, and also fundraising for the project.

I will be in touch in a few weeks when I return to Samburu.

In the meantime, sending you many wishes from all of us at Ewaso Lions.

 Shivani

Tags: Africa, Conservation, Ewaso Nyiro, Kenya, Lions, Samburu, wildlife

2 responses so far

Category: Lions | Date: Nov 10 2008 | By: ewasolions

A few weeks ago I saw 3 buffalo chase lions in Samburu.  It was a very intense chase and the lions ran off and Uni, a female, jumped up a tree.  Click on the videos below to see her in the tree, worried about the buffalo and then later on walking off only to find another male in a tree (Loirish), who she tried to mate with.

Tags: Africa, buffalos, Conservation, Kenya, Lions, Samburu, wildlife

One response so far