Conflict Threatens Lions in Samburu

EwasoLions,wildlifedirect.org
April 12, 210

Last week, we received word that a lion had killed a camel in the Westgate Conservation Area. We went to investigate and found the carcass of an adult female camel.

During the night, the camel and her calf had been chased out of their enclosure (or “boma”) by another camel. She ran into the Conservation Area, where she was killed by the lioness. The calf ran back to the village and was attacked by hyenas. She managed to survive, but suffered some severe injuries.

We went to the village to speak to the owner of the camels. We learned that the boma was in fact left open and the entrances were not entirely covered, which is how the camels easily escaped. We helped treat the camel’s deep gashes.

This was the second lion-camel incident in one week and we followed up by having community meetings within the entire group ranch. We spoke about the need to make bomas stronger with closed entrances so camels and other livestock do not escape and end up in predator territory. Herders need to be extra careful and avoid areas where lions are present.

The meetings were well-received and the owner of these particular camels immediately reinforced his bomas to better protect his camels.

After this incident, I did wonder to myself, who was the lioness that killed the camel?  Could this be Magilani?
The rains continue in Samburu.  It is so green and beautiful at the moment, white and purple flowers blanket the landscape.  But amidst this beauty, conflict persists between lions and the local communities in Westgate Community Conservancy. If this conflict continues, things could get grim for the lions.

Article and photos at:  http://ewasolions.wildlifedirect.org/2010/04/12/conflict-threatens-lions-in-samburu/