The Mama Simba, Mother’s of Lions program engages local women in Wildlife Conservation. Samburu women have rarely been actively included yet they spend a significant amount of time in wildlife areas.
We are so inspired by the Mama Simba’s hard work and dedication. This year, the “Mothers of Lions” have added 9 new members to their group, bringing their numbers from 10 to 19. In exchange for weekly educational classes, the Mama Simba have been a watch group for Lion sightings and conflict issues. The group’s support of conservational issues has allowed for a safe environment for the local lion population as well as the opportunity for increased income for the women participating.
Outreach programs like the Mama Simba and the Warriors founded by the Ewaso Lions, have had a positive impact on the lion population around the Samburu National Reserve. In December 2015 alone, the teams have stopped the killing of lions 26 times. The goal is to transform human conflict with Lions into coexistence. This is done through the Ewaso Warriors & Mama Simba programs that teach education in the local community and tracking lion behavior.
It isn’t just the adults that get to have all the fun. The group has held two Lion Kids Camps with a total of 122 Kenyan children learning and practicing conservation. The next generation of lion keepers are being made, and it is beautiful.
Now for the adorable news, new cubs have been found in the study area. They are the most amazing creatures. Jeneria, who found the cubs, had this reaction, “Because of the excitement, I almost threw my camera. I was shaking all over and it took me so long to take the first photo”.
