A ‘roarsome’ impact on lion conservation

DSWF’s work in Zambia

In Zambia, DSWF support and funding has provided anti-poaching units with new communications equipment in the form of robust Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) phones and communications arrays, as well as upgrades to turn a patrol vehicle into a research truck.

DSWF’s work in Tanzania

In the Ngorongoro Conservation Area of Northern Tanzania, with DSWF support, our field partners employ ‘Ilchokuti’ (lion guardians), made up of local Maasai and Barbaig, trained to monitor lion movements and prevent conflicts. They act on behalf of lions, mediating with livestock herders and guiding them away from areas where lions have been spotted.

Human-wildlife conflict prevention success story

Enabling the Ilchokuti to monitor lion movements and mobilise in real time, recently proved its worth.

An Ilchokuti named Kayanda was tracking two collared lions – a female called Nesumbat, and a male called Larmasi. Kayanda realised the lions were approaching the popular grazing area of Alawdnet and acted quickly to alert the local herders. Together, they were able to move the livestock beyond the path of the incoming lions, removing them as a potential prey target and building trust with the local community.

Collared lions are monitored from 6am to 10pm, meaning the Ilchokuti can also alert others when the lions approach bomas (shelters and fences made of thorns) at night – enabling the herders to proactively ward off the lions with noise makers and by lighting torches. Furthermore, the Ilchokuti play an active role in treating livestock that may have been wounded (by lions or otherwise) as well as returning lost livestock to their herders. In 2024, up to April, the 30 Ilchokuti supported by DSWF have treated 304 cattle for wounds and reunited 345 lost animals (representing a market value of $44,195) with their herds. They even repair and reinforce weak enclosures that may be vulnerable to a lion attack. Alongside ongoing education work teaching practices to ensure safety of livestock in pastures, this is just one example of how by donating to lions through DSWF, you can directly aid efforts to turn human-wildlife conflict into human-wildlife coexistence.

How we’re working with Kope Lion

Kope Lion operate in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area of northern Tanzania – a vast expanse of highland plains, savanna, and forests all set within a crater formed when a volcano the size of Kilimanjaro was torn apart in an explosion around 2.5 million years ago. Lions and people have shared this unique landscape for over 2,000 years. But today, the equilibrium of this relationship is being pushed more and more out of balance by diminishing space, climate change, and increasing poverty. As both man and beast are forced to compete more fiercely for territory and finite resources, conflict too has escalated – threatening the traditional pastoral livelihoods of herders and the very lives of lions. As natural prey animals are driven away and replaced by livestock, lions have no choice but to also adapt and turn to the goats and cattle to sustain themselves. But then the lions fall victim to both retaliatory and ritual killings as these communities respond to protect their animals, food sources, and heritage.

With nearly a third of Africa’s lions calling Tanzania home, it is a vital stronghold for the species, and Ngorongoro is a key hub for dispersal and connection between the genetically unique crater lions and Southern Kenya’s Maasailand metapopulation. KopeLion works to ensure the recovery of the lion population is driven by community choice and enterprise.

How we’re working with Musekese Conservation

Musekese Conservation has been operating in the Kafue ecosystem of Zambia to protect lions for over twenty years. They safeguard the wildlife, habitats, and communities of Kafue through empowerment and collaboration, working towards a mutually beneficial and prosperous future for both people and wildlife. Since 2018, Musekese has had an active AntiPoaching Unit operating in Kafue with up to four teams of scouts working on rotation. They also work closely with our other field partner in Zambia, Game Rangers International. Future projects include an ecological centre for research and education, as well as a focus on empowerment of local communities from areas adjacent to Kafue National Park. Phil Jeffrey, joint founder of Musekese, also feels a special connection to DSWF, as he was able to meet our founder David Shepherd multiple times in Luangwa Valley when he was a young boy. In fact, Phil still has several David Shepherd pieces of art in his home – so it’s especially lovely to welcome Phil and everyone at Musekese into our DSWF partner portfolio.