Overview of the Project

In 2004, a conservative estimate of free-roaming lions in Africa revealed a population of approximately 23,000. This is a significant decline from the recorded 1996 estimate of 80,000 - 100,000 free-roaming lions. These lions are found mainly in protected areas (approximately 350 of them), which account for only 9 - 12 percent of their home range.

Outside these protected areas, the lion is becoming extremely rare. Their numbers are threatened by both direct and indirect persecution. These lions are threatened directly when they are killed due to threats on human beings and livestock. Indirectly, they are threatened when there is competition for prey with human beings due to poaching, trophy hunting and grazing areas. These factors have greatly reduced the numbers of lions in their native range.

In ecosystems, the lion is an important species as it is a "top predator" in the food chain. In this capacity, the lion affects the numbers of its preyed-upon species, which include buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, impala, warthog and hartebeest. The lion also affects the carnivore sector on an inter-specific competition level with other large carnivores affecting their proliferation (e.g. competition with cheetahs and wild dogs). Therefore, it is important to closely monitor the status of the lion in these areas as this remains one of the few locations in which these pivotal animals exist in relative harmony with the community.

Research Objectives

Our Lion Conservation Project includes studying these lions in hopes of discovering what makes them vulnerable to extinction in an unprotected area and how practical measures can be developed to encourage coexistence between people, livestock and predators. Researchers are looking into what threats lions pose to people's livelihoods and what threats people pose to lions. By understanding how lions, livestock and people are able to coexist, the project is developing strategies for lion conservation which, in the end, would be applicable to other areas in Africa currently lacking formal wildlife protection.

The three main goals of the project are:

•  To devise lion conservation strategies
•  To protect livestock from predators
•  To ensure that local people gain significant economic value from lions and other wildlife, to offset the cost of living with them.

Project/Volunteers' Life

Volunteers' tasks will be to track and record the number and location of lion. Here eco-volunteers will participate in:

.  Tracking of lion through foot prints (with a vehicle nearby).
.  Talking to local Maasai regarding lion activities in their area.
.  Collecting and analyzing lion dung to determine prey type.
.  Collection of data.
.  Once a lion is found, pictures will be taken and identity profile notes will be done by participants.

Participants will also be involved with the Maasai community, especially with the Maasai Schools in the area, where we would encourage participants to spend at least 1 day a week.

GPS coordinates where the lions were found will also be collected so that distribution of lion population in the area is determined. Distribution of other wildlife species will be recorded. The lions are not radio-collared but, depending on the progress of this work and funding, radio-collars will be fixed to 3 selected lions in the 4th month of the project.

This work will be done outside the park.

Benefit to volunteers

The Maasai Lion Project is in great need of volunteer assistance. By volunteering on this project, you will have a fantastic experience of African wildlife, with the knowledge that you are giving back to the environment. This volunteer experience is very rewarding and such a popular project. In this project, you will learn field study techniques, interact with local communities, and will gain knowledge on wildlife - especially African Lions.