Mara Predator Project
June 2010 Update
by John Banovich

Recently I returned from Kenya with site visit to our conservation project – Masai Mara Predator Project. Our partner is my good friend, Dr. Laurence Frank, from UC Berkeley, and founder of the "Living with Lions" program. The Banovich Wildscapes Foundation LION P.R.I.D.E. Initiative started supporting Dr. Frank`s work in the Kilimajaro region and Liakipia - and now the Masai Mara region in Kenya – part of one of the greatest ecosystems in Africa. The "Living with Lions" research group has three projects that work in unprotected areas of Kenya to save the remaining wild lions and other predators outside National Parks.

Until recently scientists believed there were 100-200,000 lions living in Africa, but a recent survey has found that the number has dropped dramatically to approximately 23,000, and most of these are living in protected National Parks. But outside these parks lions are being killed at an alarming rate, and unless urgent action is taken, they may be completely wiped out from these unprotected areas.

The Mara North Conservancy (MNC) is a region of Maasailand lying along the North-West border of the Maasai Mara Reserve. The area is rich in wildlife and is visited by thousands of tourists each year, hoping to see the Big Five and the annual wildebeest migration. However, the area is also used for grazing cattle by local Maasai. This means that lions are at risk from conflict with livestock owners.

When the migration returns to Tanzania, the number of natural prey drops, and attacks on cattle increase. Past conflicts between predators and livestock have led to the killing of several lions and the breakdown of large prides.

As cattle numbers and human encroachment increase, so does the threat to the lions here. The Mara Predator Project (MPP) is monitoring lions in and around the Mara North Conservancy with the help of lodge guides and visitors, who report sightings and images to us.

MPP is building an online database of lions so that each one can be tracked and studied. Identifying individuals allows us to map their home ranges, monitor reproduction and identify long term population trends. This helps us to apply effective conservation efforts. The project is based at Serian Camp and enlists the help of most MNC member lodges. This allows us to to monitor lions effectively over the entire MNC and surrounding areas.

MPP works closely with the MNC rangers, who help monitor conflict and apply effective solutions. Sharing data on lion movements helps them to control grazing to reduce depredation, and they are also working to improve bomas across the region.

We hope to reduce the number of human/lion conflicts and create a long-term sustainable environment where lions and man can both coexist and thrive.