The Lion Pride Initiative
Protection Research Implementation Development Education

PROTECTION Protection of large areas of suitable habitat is fundamental to the long-term survival of lions in Africa. But few protected areas are large enough to protect big game, which moves beyond park boundaries. These large conservation landscapes of suitable habitat must include not only national park and game reserves, but also safari areas, and private and community lands. Governments desperately need help in providing better protection for wildlife outside of parks. Wide scale killing in defense of livestock must be urgently addressed. Bush meat poaching has decimated wildlife populations; game departments need help in developing the capacity to police the snaring and sale of game meat.


RESEARCH Research is the cornerstone to developing better methods of preventing predators from becoming livestock raiders. In most of Africa, lions are disappearing because local people can no longer tolerate the costs of living with them. If we are to save wild lions for future generations, we must understand the complex dynamics between wildlife needs and ever-growing human needs. Critically, we require sociological work on perceptions of lions in rural Africa, and on how to help people appreciate the value of intact ecosystems that include top predators.

IMPLEMENTATION Implementation of income from hunting and tourism can help solve the problems of rural people, but we need to develop and implement totally transparent and equitable distribution of profits among the human communities that live with wildlife.

Rural communities that could benefit from sport hunting profits need networks of well-trained, well-paid, well-equipped game scouts to control poaching. We need to work with hunters and hunting operators to ensure that wildlife is managed sustainably and hunted ethically. Development of an accreditation system which rates hunting companies on these criteria would drive market-based improvement that would contribute to conservation.

DEVELOPMENT Development of rural communities must be directly linked to protection of wildlife. A significant portion of hunting/tourism income must go to a fund that pays compensation to individuals, supports effective game scouts and benefits rural communities by building and staffing schools, clinics and other essential infrastructure.

EDUCATION Education in rural African communities must show that wildlife can be an economic asset rather than a liability. To avoid needless and counterproductive killing of game, people must learn ways of minimizing wildlife damage to crops and livestock. Game management officials need to continue learning more about principles of sustainable wildlife management. African universities need support in improving wildlife management curricula.

Images shown above are original oil paintings by John Banovich.

Mara Predator Project
Report #12 September / October 2009
Sara Blackburn maralions@gmail.com
Laurence Frank lgfrank@berkeley.edu

In summary, time has been spent over these last two months on setting up the computers and cameras for lodge reporting. A good deal of time has been given to Papiyio`s training, although unfortunately he has not shown to be suitable for the position. One 'missing` lion has re- emerged, and distributions for others have been shifting. Cattle have mostly moved from key lion areas, and lions have moved across from the river. I have also been night filming, which has been extremely interesting. Emma has also been here helping, and will stay until December.

1. LION MOVEMENTS AND THE DATABASE
   The amount of cattle in the immediate area has declined, and lions from the River Pride have been spending time close to camp on the rocky hills. Marley and Sophie`s pride (1M, 1F, 4 SA 18mo) have moved back across the river and acquired an unknown cub of around 6 months of age. It is not known where this cub has come from or who he belongs to, but most probably he originated from the escarpment.
   
   Tailend (MLF03) was found close to camp on Mulima Maui on the 28th October, with two cubs aged 4mo. Her last sighting was seven months ago with her pride mates by Musiara. Her last litter did not survive (last seen 5th February). It is thought that she moved across the river, mated and had these cubs on the escarpment. Her pride mates Honey (MLF01) and Sugar (MLF02) are still missing but thought to be across the river.
   
   Sophie (MLF37) has been identified as a member of the old River Pride from images dating 2006.
   
   There has been a large increase in the amount of hyenas around the Military and Maternity areas, which have been relatively quiet in terms of lion activity.
   
   Lady (MLF04) from the Gorge Pride had three cubs on the 15th September. Caesar, the River Pride male, joined the group 5 weeks into her pregnancy and consequently killed the cubs on the 17th September. He has since mated with her and remains with the group.
   
   A solitary male was sighted in Military, and identified as Frank (MLM16) from the Acacia Pride. He was in poor condition and has travelled 15km from his last known location.
   
   The database has been redesigned slightly (automatic filling to reduce time). I have also created a record sheet for matings so that we can predict births.
   
   
2. PAPIYIO
   Papiyio came to camp for a month, during which he was thoroughly introduced to the project and given a large amount of training. His enthusiasm and ideas for the community aspect of his job were good, but there were major concerns that he was unable to learn IDing and lion ecology, and learn to use equipment such as the GPS, and his driving and computer skills needed a lot of work. His attitude and communication with myself was also not acceptable, and he proved to be untrustworthy from the outset. A decision was made to send him home after the month.
   
   It is very unfortunate that he did not work as an assistant – Laurence, Stephen and myself have all devoted a lot of time to him. An assistant is still needed and an interview based selection process will begin in early 2010.
   
   
3. EMMA
   Emma has come from the UK to help with the project. Initially she was to stay for a month, but can now extend to December when I am to fly back to the UK. This is very helpful following the departure of Papiyio, and she is assisting with computer work, redesigning of the booklet and the general running of the project. She will also help with some redesign work of the website in the UK.
   
   
4. COMPUTERS AND CAMERAS FOR LODGES
   Two computers have been brought over from the UK, and set up for guest use. They have been updated to Vista Home Premium so that they can support an offline version of the database, which has been installed on both. They have been set up with facilities and instructions for photo uploading and browsing, reporting of lion sightings via a digital form, and for browsing the database and identifying lions from images. This is incorporated into an interactive desktop. All features that could lead to their misuse have been disabled, including games and wireless.
   
   Because of my Laikipia visit and nearing departure to the UK, I have decided not to introduce the computers into lodges until I return in 2010. It is generally thought that this system will need a lot of initial follow-up and tweaking, and I will be unable to do this whilst in the UK. However, a computer will be trialled at Serian when I return from Laikipia.
   
   The cameras have also been set up, and we have made an instruction booklet to be attached. One will be trialled at Serian – again after Laikipia. One should be supplied to Kicheche and the other possibly to Elephant Pepper or to remain at Serian.
   
   If the cameras are successful, it is possible that I may be able to get some good 10MP cameras for around 7,000Ksh in the UK. Successful use of cameras in several lodges would give good information on the local population, if not distributions.
   
   
5. SCHOOLS
   Emma and I visited Ololomei Primary School to hold a workshop focussed on lions. We covered issues of lion conservation in very simple terms, and the children did posters and collages of the local lions. We are planning to return and hopefully strengthen a positive image of lions.
   
   
6. LION PRODUCTS FOR SALE
   Lion claws were found for sale at Aitong market on the 15th October. This was worrying as they were rather fresh. I took photographs of the claws discreetly with a mobile phone. I later learned from Elephant Pepper that they also had guests returning from a cultural manyatta visit with lion teeth. Marc Goss is aware of the situation and taking action.
   
   
7. ELEPHANT PEPPER
   I visited Elephant Pepper again at the end of October, and discussed a training day for the guides. The guides are very enthusiastic about reporting lion sightings, but find the IDing process difficult. They have requested a small camera to help them with sightings, and also an external drive or memory stick for uploading. I think that this will be sufficient for their participation. I do not think that a computer will be necessary, but the external drive can be loaded with the offline version of the database.
   
   
8. NIGHT FILMING
   On several occasions in September and October I accompanied Martin Dohrn night filming, both in the Mara Reserve and the Mara North Conservancy. We used thermal imaging to track two groups of lions – the Elephant Pepper females along with the River Pride Male (Caesar; MLM04) and Marley`s Pride. In both cases, the groups moved far into areas that they have not frequented by day. It was very interesting to see the large distances covered by the lions at night, and note the wider range and degree of pride overlap, which is not apparent during daytime observations.
   
   
9. GAME VIEWING AND HIGH-SEASON TOURISM
   Some issues arose following the birth of the cubs in the open bushes by Elephant Pepper Camp regarding responsible viewing. The managers contacted me regarding an unacceptable amount of traffic around the cubs, after Marc Goss was unable to supply a vehicle for monitoring the situation. I was able to control the amount of cars visiting the site at any one time and also maintain a reasonable distance. I am aware that it is not a good idea for me to be personally involved with controlling game viewing, and in future the rangers should be able to supply an anti-harassment team and vehicle for such occasions.
   
   There has been an overall improvement with game viewing, mostly due to the reduction of vehicles and less predictable sightings. I was not able to talk to Mara Safari Club about game viewing etiquette, but have prepared a presentation for guides which can be shown at any time.
   
   
10. HOUSE
    The build is complete and hopefully the roof issue has been resolved. Furniture still needs to be made for the house and funds have been put aside. The solar power should be installed early 2010.
    
    

FUTURE PLANS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. LAIKIPIA
   I am going to adapt the booklet to the lodges in Laikipia together with Emma. We are planning to stay for a fortnight or so, depending on the redesign and so on.
   
   
2. DATABASE AND WEBSITE
   As per last report, new lions will be added to the database, and the large collection of maturing cubs will be added. Work will be done on this over the next month. I am going to explore how these will be arranged so that this key information on pride relationships will be made obvious. However, I have decided to leave most website development until I return to the UK and have access to a more favourable internet connection.
   
   
3. ASSISTANT
   I am asking round for suitable candidates to replace Papiyio, and have completed a job description. Hopefully there will be some potential candidates for the new year.
   
   
4. GUIDES AND LODGES
   As camp is quiet for November, I will plan training days for guides. Reporting is still inconsistent, and so we will come up with a tighter system of monitoring reporting to coincide with the camera use. I will also do some training at Elephant Pepper and Kicheche. Offbeat and Kicheche will also be visited again, both for reporting and for mapping and adding new lions to the database.
   
   Although a notebook system of reporting is good for Serian guides, I will design a printed report sheet to be distributed to lodges and collected via a drop-in box so that guides have an easier system of reporting.
   
   
5. LONG TERM PLANS
   I will be returning to the UK to redesign the website, redesign the MPP booklet for future printing, and finish the booklet for Laikipia. This should take a couple of months.

Mara Predator Project
Interim Report August 2009
Sara Blackburn maralions@gmail.com
Laurence Frank lgfrank@berkeley.edu

In summary, much time in August has been devoted to the house build and furnishing. Time has also been spent at Kicheche to introduce the project more thoroughly and enlist guides in lion reporting. Issues of responsible game viewing have also been highlighted for future action.

Cattle movements have had a high impact on lion distributions throughout August and continue to have an effect. Lion group dynamics are also being affected by the main pride male associating himself with a new group.

1. LION MOVEMENTS AND CATTLE

The River pride male has associated himself with three members of the Gorge pride by Elephant Pepper camp. This has caused the seven sub adults ( 2 SA-M, 5 SA-F, 16-20mo) to split away from the females. They have been seen with several kills, and are at the lower age threshold of independence.

Marley`s pride (1M, 1F, 4 SA 18mo) crossed the river early this month due to an influx of cattle, moving back at the end of the month after cattle began crossing Chemi Chemi and massing across the river up to the escarpment. This movement of cattle also pushed the residing Siria lions across the river back onto Serian Hill. This was their previous location early last year.

Lions and other cats have also been entirely absent from the Windmill, Musiara and No Camping area due to large numbers of cattle massing to pass into the park for night grazing. The female with cubs has relocated to Bila Shaka inside the park.

A recent decline in cattle concentrating around the Maternity and Kichwa Tembo areas has seen a return of both lions and cheetah to these areas. Leopard sightings and evidence of their presence has been around Chemi Chemi and Leopard Gorge, but again absent from the Musiara area.

The lion population around Kicheche and the Lemek area is still at a very high density. There is a noted absence of cattle from these areas and reports that lions are consequently thriving. Many cubs have been seen. It appears that many of the now-mature males have left the area, but this needs further investigation.

The migration and steep increase in the number of game has apparently not had a large effect on predator numbers, and there has seemingly been no influx of nomadic males or non-resident males to the immediate area. However, game numbers are high and well distributed across the district.

2. GAME VIEWING AND HIGH-SEASON TOURISM

Whilst in Lemek I was concerned by both the number of cars around lions and also their behaviour. It is apparent that this does need approaching with camps and guides. After talking to Marc Goss we have decided that a small presentation on the project and guidelines on responsible game viewing should be given to lodges and relevant parties.

I should expect that this will be received warmly, as responsible viewing will ensure that wildlife is not negatively affected by tourism activity, and thus ensure the continuation of high frequency and quality sightings. It is appreciated that there is a large number of tourists wishing to view wildlife at present, and so responsible viewing will not only benefit the wildlife but will ensure that all visitors will have positive experiences of animals behaving naturally.

Lodges that have a high number of cars operating in the area at any one time should be role models and communicate between drivers to spread vehicles across sightings, lagging their arrival and duration of time spent at each sighting to maintain the max. 5 car rule.

It should also be reminded that the natural behaviour of animals should not be affected, and so cars should keep to a single side and give a clear route for animals to move. Moving animals should not have any interference and animals showing any sign of distress or shyness should not be disturbed.

Many drivers and guides act responsibly around animals, but all are reminded at this time to be aware of game and other cars and adhere to their guidelines.

I have also been witnessing a good deal of through-traffic viewing lions, mainly at Lemek but also at Military which is adjacent to the main road – mostly matatus and city cars. Whilst it is good that residents and citizens appreciate and experience their wildlife, it should be reminded that a respectful distance should be kept and the number of cars around any one animal should not exceed five.

3. KICHECHE PARTICIPATION
Kicheche Camp was visited at the beginning of the month, and guides thoroughly introduced to the project. A display area, computer and camera were discussed for the future, and a report book was left at the lodge. I will return in the near future with more reporting material and to continue with the reporting setup. Guides at the camp are very keen to assist with the project, and a silver level guide has volunteered to spearhead data collection at the lodge. Consequently, information was also gathered regarding ages and group structure of the resident lions.

4. DATABASE
Two new adult females and five 5mo cubs were added to the database from the Kicheche area. It is thought that there still remains a large number of lions still to be added from this area. Several positive identifications were made of known lions, two of which have new cubs. Several matings were also observed. Positive identifications were made of cubs which have matured to sub- adulthood.

Velvet (MLF15) was killed after numerous attacks on livestock. A positive identification was made from photographs of the carcass. Malaika (MLF16) is also thought to dead following an injury from a wildebeest hunt. She had three dependant offspring, which are thought to have been relocated by KWS. I will try and gather more information on the incident.

5. BOOKLETS AND GUEST PARTICIPATION
Reporting by guides has been consistent. Interest in the website is increasing and I am receiving several sighting and photographs. Jackson and Jonathan Sadera have made noted efforts in reporting and improving their knowledge for the project.

Again, efforts to include Serian guests in the project should be increased and maintained where encouraged. The display area is drawing more interest to the project.

Comments on the blog have been very encouraging.
I have sold some more of the booklets for donations. A donation of $500 was made to the project for sponsoring lions and this element will be worked on. It has great potential for raising funds with a relatively small amount of effort.

6. BUSINESS CARDS AND PRINTING
I have had some business cards made up, and have also looked into the possibility of raising some funds through the sale of cards. Corrections are being made to the lion sheets and booklets and these will be brought over in September from them UK.

I have had some sponsor stickers for Wildscapes and Serian printed for the car. The price is exceptionally cheap.

7. CAMP PARTICIPATION
A collective email was sent out to Royal Mara, Saruni, and other current and future participatory lodges highlighting the aims and achievements of the project. The response from both camps was extremely encouraging and both Riccardo and George have offered their full support. This will be followed up in due course. Both camps will help expand data collection to new areas.

8. HOUSE
A great deal of progress has been made with the house – the main build is almost complete and I spent good time in Nairobi shopping for furnishings. Construction will continue to focus on furniture and working space. Materials have been included in the budget. Both the bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchen will be furnished and solar fitted within the budget. Alex is very generously covering the main build, plumbing and construction work of the house.

9. PAPIYO
Papiyo has spent some time in Laikipia, and will come to the Mara in early September. Initial plans are to introduce him thoroughly to the project and build his skills in lion identification, reporting and the workings of the project.

10. CAR
KBE 582E has been serviced in camp. Filters and oil have been changed as have the spring bushels. The antenna has been replaced and a spare brought to camp.

FUTURE PLANS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. DATABASE AND WEBSITE
New lions will be added to the database, and the large collection of maturing cubs will be added. I am going to explore how these will be arranged so that this key information on pride relationships will be made obvious.

I also plan to update the website to have more comprehensive and clearer images for ageing lions.

2. GUIDES
I will introduce the new guides in camp to the project and train them in reporting. Some of the guides will be given a refresher course in reporting and IDing lions. All will be briefed again on including their guests in the project and showing them the ID booklets.

3. LAIKIPIA VISIT AND EMMA`S VISIT
I am planning a visit to Laikipia in the coming months to develop the booklet for local lodges. Emma will accompany me and will work on developing aspects of the project up there too. Emma will also spend some time developing a trail of a sponsor a lion program for the MPP, and working on a conservation information booklet for the MNC. She will also work on lion distribution data collected so far and expanding the database.

4. PAPIYO
Papiyo will be introduced to the project thoroughly. The aim is also for him to team up with Marc Goss and the rangers and also with key community members so that he can begin to understand key issues with livestock and predators.

5. LODGES
I plan to visit Kicheche again in the near future to ensure that reporting can run smoothly. I also plan to visit Elephant Pepper again at a convenient time for all. Karen Blixen also should be more thoroughly introduced to the project. However, September and October plans may mean that this has to be delayed slightly.

6. RESPONSIBLE GAME VIEWING
I am going to draw up a short presentation to talk to lodges along with Marc Goss and the rangers to talk to guides about the project, and highlight some issues of responsible tourism in a sensitive way.

Mara Predator Project
Interim Report July 2009
Sara Blackburn maralions@gmail.com
Laurence Frank lgfrank@berkeley.edu

Sara has now identified 100 lions that use roughly 150 sq. km. of the northern Mara. These include 37 mature females, 21 reproductively active males and 25 cubs above a year of age. This number will grow rapidly as new lodges and areas are added to the reporting system.

Sara has designed and produced 250 initial copies of a North Mara lion identification pack, including an information booklet, water resistant map, lion ID and reporting sheets. The ID booklets are for use by guides and tourists in reporting sightings to the Mara Predator Project. They are linked to the online database (www.livingwithlions.org/mara) and contain information about predator conservation issues, the MPP, and Living With Lions.

An introductory leaflet summarizes the booklets, including websites and email addresses, and a poster has been designed for lodges to encourage guest participation.

An interactive reporting and information station is being set up at Serian Camp to test the ease and reliability of using the booklets for identifying and reporting lions, and guides are being fully trained. Serian and Mara Offbeat were the first lodges to set up a lion reporting system to identify the local lion population. Offbeat, on the Olare Orok River, has a separate pack with a regional map and lion sheets. In late June, management of Kicheche Camp, Elephant Pepper Camp, Karen Blixen Camp and Mara Plains were introduced to the project; guides will be trained after thorough testing of the reporting system at Serian and Offbeat.

Dickson ole Muntet is being hired as a community conservation education specialist to adapt LWL`s highly successful education workshops and video for the Mara region. He will be trained by Steven Ekwanga in Laikipia and Samburu in August. He will also assist Sara with guide training and introduction of the MPP, as well as maintaining the reporting system at participating lodges. Sara has been in discussions with a group at Bristol University that is developing a computer program for identifying individual animals from spot patterns; this may be adapted for lion whisker spot recognition.

Work will soon start on a house for Sara at Serian. We are deeply grateful to Alex Walker for his unfailing generous support and commitment to conservation.