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Often we get our blinkers on and forget that the world keeps turning while we are deep in the middle of the lion census. We become so focused on reading tracks and searching for lions that we forget to pause and notice the incredible life unfolding around us.

During a recent 24 hour period, the census offered more than just data and observations. Moments like these remind us that even while immersed in the details of our work, the bush is alive with stories playing out in every direction. When we slow down, we are rewarded with some truly remarkable sights.

Over the course of the day we witnessed tortoises mating, a striking purple moorhen strutting out of the water and showing off its impressively long toes, a baboon stealing a baby vervet monkey, and a rare glimpse of a secretive serval moving through the grass. To top it all off, the Safari Rally added an unexpected burst of dust to the landscape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lion census is, of course, about understanding and protecting lions, but it also gives us a front row seat to the wider ecosystem they depend on. Every hour brings something new, surprising, and unforgettable.

Some days remind us that conservation is not only about the species we count, but about appreciating the rich and ever changing world that surrounds them.

 

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On 8 November 2025, the Government of Kenya formally transferred management of Amboseli National Park to the Kajiado County Government. The handover ceremony was attended by representatives from national and county governments, community members from Kajiado, Narok, and Samburu counties, and stakeholders from the conservation and tourism sectors. The transfer concludes a multi-decade discussion regarding the park’s governance and management framework.

A Brief History of Amboseli National Park

To appreciate the significance of this moment, it is important to revisit the history of Amboseli:

• 1880s: Amboseli’s recorded history begins with the interactions between the Maasai people and early European explorers. The area was traditionally known as “Empusel”, meaning salty, dusty place in Maa.
• 1906: It was first protected as the Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve.
• 1948: Management was handed back to local authorities. At that time, the reserve covered 3,260 km².
• 1974: Kenya’s first President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, upgraded the area to a national park to safeguard its ecological importance and placed it under the management of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
• 1991: Amboseli was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For more than five decades, discussions continued regarding the role of local Indigenous communities in Amboseli’s management, with stakeholders emphasizing that long-term conservation outcomes are influenced by governance arrangements and community engagement in surrounding landscapes. The Maasai community consistently pushed for the restoration of their role in managing Amboseli, arguing that conservation could not succeed without the involvement of the people who live closest to the wildlife.

The Transfer Process

Upon his election in 2017, Kajiado County Governor Joseph Ole Lenku publicly stated his administration’s intention to pursue county-level management of Amboseli National Park. Following negotiations between county and national governments, this objective was realized in 2025.

The handover coincided with the Maa Cultural Festival, an annual regional event hosted on a rotating basis by Maa-speaking counties.

During the ceremony, President Ruto emphasized the significance of the transfer, stating:

“The transfer represents what Kenya must always stand for: justice, inclusion, and shared prosperity. It affirms a fundamental truth — that the people who live closest to wildlife are not enemies of conservation.”

 

What the Transfer Means

Under the new arrangement, the national government will retain 5% of the park’s revenue to support ongoing wildlife research and monitoring. Full transition of management to Kajiado County is expected by 2029.

Key elements of the transition include:

• A Deed of Transfer signed on 14 October 2025 between Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano and Governor Joseph Ole Lenku.
• A phased transfer of management, finances, staff, and revenue-sharing over three years.

Management will be overseen by a semi-autonomous county government agency, ensuring accountability and long-term sustainability.

Looking Ahead

The transfer of management introduces a new governance structure for Amboseli National Park.

Areas of continued focus include:

• Wildlife protection and monitoring
  
• Sustainable tourism development
  
• Community engagement across the ecosystem

As management responsibilities shift to Kajiado County, Amboseli National Park enters a new phase. The outcomes of this transition will depend on implementation, collaboration among stakeholders, and long-term resource management. True community-led stewardship—one that strengthens conservation, promotes coexistence, and blends cultural heritage with ecological responsibility is key to wildlife conservation. With Amboseli National Park now entrusted to those who have protected it for generations, the promise for the entire Amboseli ecosystem to be a shining example of sustainable conservation and harmonious coexistence between communities and wildlife is strong.

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For the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania, growing up is not just about age, it’s a sacred journey marked by courage, tradition, and community. Each stage of life comes with responsibilities and rituals that prepare boys to become warriors, and eventually, respected elders. These stages are deeply rooted in the Maasai culture and symbolize growth, honor, and leadership. And now a new generation has been born, Irmiponyi. a name that proudly means “no pushovers,” symbolizing the resilience that comes with age.

Enkipaata oo Irmiponyi: The First Step Toward Manhood

Before a Maasai boy undergoes circumcision, a key rite of passage the boys must first go through Enkipaata  rite of passage. 

During Enkipaata, boys leave their homes and spend days and nights moving through the wilderness, sleeping in the bush, and learning essential survival skills. It is a test of  discipline and endurance. This marks the moment they are no longer seen as children, but as individuals ready to face the challenges of life.

After successfully completing Enkipaata, Irmiponyi age set undergo circumcision. After the ceremony, they enter a transitional period. They are no longer boys, but not yet warriors either. During this time, they are taken care of by their community and given high-quality food to aid their healing and growth.

The next major milestone is Moranism—becoming a Moran or warrior. This is one of the most important roles in Maasai society. Irmiponyi age set are responsible for protecting the community, cattle, and land. They also represent the pride and strength of the community. It’s a period marked by discipline, loyalty, and learning from elders.

Being a Moran is no small task. You carry the future of your community on your shoulders. You are expected to be a role model, a defender, and a unifier of your people. Now, that responsibility rests squarely on the shoulders of the Irmiponyi age set, as the community looks to them to fufill these expectations.

After many years of service and leadership as moran, this age set will finally be expected to graduate into junior elderhood stepping back to make way for the next generation. But their role doesn’t end. They will take on the role of mentoring the new generation, offering guidance and wisdom from experience.  As years pass, the moran finally graduates fully to become a senior elder. As elders, they become the decision-makers and advisors. 

Each age set has their guardian angles, referred to as the fathers of the age set. It is the Ilkiponi responsibility to guide the new age set, ensuring that traditions are passed on. It’s a full circle, from being led, to leading others.

Each stage of the Maasai age-set system teaches important values: courage, responsibility, leadership, and community. It is through these rites of passage that the Maasai preserve their identity and ensure their traditions live on through generations.

To the new age, Respect the journey. Honor the path. And never forget where you come from. Our customs are not just for the past, they are the wisdom that will shape our future.

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Led by two formidable and fiercely intelligent lionesses, Neiti’s Pride began its slow yet deliberate push beyond the secure confines of the park. A scarcity of wildlife within the park, driven by shifting grazing patterns and water sources, coupled with the need to shield their young cubs from rival males in Amboseli National Park, are among the pressures pushing the pride to seek new territory. Moving past the familiar neighbouring villages, whose residents have grown up with tales and sightings of this very pride. Neiti’s Pride began eyeing the expansive, livestock-rich territories of the pastoralist communities. This time, however, the direction of their movement filled our Lion Guardians team with unease.

When the pride was first sighted in the semi-open plains of Oloilalei, the team responded with swift resolve. Every effort was made to gently shepherd the lions back towards the sanctuary of the park, their only true haven in an increasingly perilous landscape. And so began an arduous operation, one that would become a mobile camp of vigilance and perseverance.

Lion Guardians established a mobile conflict camp, a temporary, movable base that could shadow the pride’s unpredictable movements across the region. The effort was nothing short of herculean. The Conflict camp was led by Field Biologists, James Silankei and Kisimir Masama, working in turns with support from the team at HQ. Guardians rotated weekly in shifts to ensure around-the-clock monitoring and intervention. 

Yet looming ahead was a region that filled all with quiet dread: Osewan. Dense with tangled thickets, hidden ravines, and foot-swallowing hollows, Osewan is the sort of place even the most experienced herders avoid. Vehicles become liabilities; foot travel, a test of will. And despite our efforts, the worst came to pass—the pride slipped, almost ghostlike, into this tangled wilderness overnight. Once there, their presence was unmistakable. Opportunistic and emboldened, they struck at any unguarded livestock. The terrain made intervention nearly impossible.

Understanding the severe consequences of retaliatory action, often swift and unforgiving, the Guardians turned to the communities. Conversations were held, warnings issued, and livestock were carefully redirected to safer grounds. The team’s response was immediate.

As if Osewan weren’t challenge enough, the pride, now emboldened and undeterred, crossed into Matapato, further complicating the situation. In Mailua, whispers began to spread like wildfire—rumours of “14 lions on the loose” stoked fear and tension in already anxious communities.

Recognizing the urgency of the moment, we called for support from our conservation partners: Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Big Life Foundation (BLF), IFAW, and SOLARO. Local leadership from Mailua, led by the area chief, played a vital role—joining the operation on the ground and engaging the community to remain patient as efforts were made to guide the lion pride back to safety. United in purpose, we launched a coordinated and determined push to complete this challenging but necessary task.

The terrain was unforgiving. The lions, increasingly assertive. Community anxiety, palpable. But the determination of our combined teams never wavered. This was a test of human endurance, compassion, and conviction.

Finally, a flicker of hope. The pride moved in the direction we had yearned for. At Emurua Oloibor, not far from the park’s boundary, they paused, giving us a chance to regroup. But even here, our reprieve was temporary. With livestock densities high, temptation prowled close, and once again, Lion Guardians set up camp again. A bold attempt by the pride to breach a livestock boma was swiftly and effectively thwarted—thanks to the Guardians’ coordination with local community members.

Then, on 24th June 2025, the pride shifted again, this time towards Olpait in the Meshenani region. With this movement came our final, critical opportunity. Conservation partners were again called in. A plan was forged. The operation would commence at 6:30 PM, precisely when livestock had been returned to safety for the night.

As dusk fell and the stars emerged above Amboseli, a formation of Land Cruisers circled the pride. Slowly, methodically, the teams worked in concert, inching the lions southwards. It was painstaking work—the pride, unpredictable and agile, often veered in unexpected directions. But the teams knew only one truth: for this pride to survive, and for coexistence to prevail, they must return to the park.

And so, under cover of darkness and the quiet urgency of commitment, the operation continued for 10 grueling hours. At last, under the waning moon, Neiti’s Pride was guided home. 

On their way back to the national park, the pride ambushed a porcupine—each lioness carrying off a piece of the kill. Just a day later, reports came in that the pride had taken down a wildebeest. This encouraging sign suggests that wild prey may be returning to the park, raising hopes that the pride might remain within its boundaries for sometime.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Lion Guardians team, whose sleepless nights, cold winds, and distance from family were endured for the sake of this pride and the communities that live alongside them. To our steadfast partners; KWS, BLF, IFAW, and the Maasai communities, we offer our sincere thanks.

This extraordinary mission stands as a powerful reminder: that only through collaboration, compassion, and shared responsibility can we hope to preserve both people’s livelihoods and wildlife’s legacy.

Let Neiti’s journey home remind us all that true coexistence is not passive, it is a constant, courageous commitment.

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On April 28, 2025, Lion Guardians launched a powerful anti-poisoning campaign in the Osewan area—one of the Amboseli ecosystem’s most persistent poisoning hotspots. Since 2009, we’ve documented the deaths of at least 20 lions here due to poisoning, with many more likely going unreported due to the area’s remoteness, difficult terrain, and complex community dynamics. This campaign aimed to raise awareness, reduce poisoning incidents, and promote coexistence between people and wildlife through education and meaningful community engagement.

Approximately 250 people from four neighboring communities gathered for the event. Osewan was selected not only because of its conservation challenges but also for its potential to lead positive change.

Cultural Storytelling Meets Conservation Messaging

To introduce the campaign’s theme, we opened with a screening of Eunoto, an award-winning film showcasing a significant Maasai ritual that marks the transition of warriors. While not the campaign’s core focus, Eunoto served as a cultural bridge—reminding attendees of their deep-rooted values as protectors of their landscape. It set a powerful tone for the day’s messages on wildlife protection and the role of cultural identity in conservation.

We then showed a locally produced anti-poisoning film, accompanied by the song Olong’uesi, crafted specifically to speak to young herders and livestock owners. The emotional impact was further elevated by the presence of the artist himself—Musa Nkonyoyo—who performed Olong’uesi live at the end of the event. As everyone danced and sang along, the event closed with unity and celebration, reinforcing the day’s message through shared joy.

Community Commitment in Action

One of the standout moments of the day was the strong representation from the neighboring Mailua community, where Lion Guardians currently does not operate. Their senior chief, community leaders, and youth showed up in force, fully engaged and receptive to the campaign’s message. Their enthusiastic support and active participation were incredibly encouraging, demonstrating a genuine commitment to embracing conservation practices and promoting peaceful coexistence.

Key Focus Areas of the Campaign

Discouraging the Use of Poison

We addressed the causes and consequences of predator poisoning, which often occurs in retaliation after livestock predation. Through education and cultural storytelling, we stressed the far-reaching damage that poison causes—not just to lions, but to entire ecosystems and even human health. Practical alternatives were also shared, such as contacting Lion Guardians for livestock recovery and vehicle support, predator deterrents, medical help for injured livestock, and support with predator-proof bomas and lion-lights.

Promoting Community Engagement

We emphasized that conservation efforts thrive when communities are actively involved. Local engagement fosters a sense of ownership and pride, making long-term conservation possible. Open dialogue encouraged shared responsibility and local leadership, positioning the community as stewards of their natural heritage.

Addressing Lion-Livestock Conflict Through Local Knowledge

Wildlife poisoning is often a consequence of unresolved lion-livestock conflict. We demonstrated how our guardians use local knowledge, tracking skills, and relationship-building to mediate conflicts, recover lost livestock, and promote coexistence. The message was clear: retaliation through poisoning only deepens the damage. Instead, we championed community-driven, adaptive solutions rooted in culture and lived experience.

Looking Ahead

This campaign launch was a resounding success—thanks to the collaboration of dedicated partners and the inspiring response from the Osewan and Mailua communities. We reinforced the need for quick response to poisoning incidents, stronger collaboration with government veterinary units, and equipping first responders with proper safety protocols and gear.

We’re energized by this momentum and plan to bring this model to other high-risk areas before the end of the year. By uniting culture, conservation science, and grassroots leadership, we can safeguard Amboseli’s wildlife—and the communities who live alongside them—for generations to come.

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People are the heart of any organization, and this principle is at the core of our strategy for 2024-2026. Understanding that a skilled and well-equipped team is essential to achieving our objectives, we have identified team capacity building as a key focus for the coming years. Aligned with our broader organizational strategy, we believe that investing in the development of our team will cultivate a workforce that is more effective, innovative, and collaborative. This will, in turn, strengthen the performance and culture of Lion Guardians.

Strategic Importance of Capacity Building

Our dedication to capacity building is embedded within one of the four core goals of the Lion Guardians strategy: Ensure Lion Guardians is Locally and Sustainably Run. This goal underscores capacity building as a cornerstone of the organization’s long-term success. A well-equipped team not only elevates daily operations but also fosters a positive, resilient organizational culture—ensuring that our mission remains impactful and sustainable for the future. It is within this framework that we are committed to building a dynamic, results-driven team capable of adapting, innovating, and leading within the conservation sector.

Organizational Assessment

To guide our capacity-building efforts, we conducted a comprehensive organizational assessment in August 2024, in partnership with Maliasili, an expert organization in strengthening local conservation initiatives. This in-depth review involved the full participation of the Lion Guardians team, including our directors, allowing for a thorough examination of our operations. The assessment evaluated 14 critical areas relating to our organizational structure, processes, performance, and culture.

The assessment provided valuable insights into our organizational strengths and areas for improvement. The findings highlighted key aspects of our internal processes, structure, team dynamics, and overall culture. With these insights, we now have a clearer understanding of where we are excelling and where targeted interventions are needed to optimize our operations, increase team effectiveness, and maximize our organizational impact.

February 2025 Senior Management Workshop

In response to the assessment, we organized a two-day workshop for the Senior Management Team in February 2025. This session, facilitated by two expert trainers from Maliasili, allowed the leadership team to delve deeper into the assessment findings, offering a holistic perspective on the organization’s strengths and challenges. The workshop encouraged open dialogue, brainstorming, and collective decision-making, allowing us to prioritize areas requiring attention based on the assessment rankings.

Next Steps and Continued Partnership with Maliasili

As part of our ongoing commitment to improving organizational effectiveness, we will continue our partnership with Maliasili to further strengthen the areas identified in the assessment. This collaboration will provide the necessary support for implementing targeted interventions that drive sustained growth.

To ensure continued progress, we plan to hold follow-up workshops, which will allow us to dive deeper into specific organizational elements. These sessions will be crucial for refining our strategies and enhancing team efficiency. We are confident that these efforts will significantly improve our organizational capacity, enabling us to deliver on our mission with greater effectiveness.

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Human-wildlife conflict is a devastating reality when the needs and behaviors of wildlife clash with the needs of local and Indigenous communities. Tension can lead to tragic consequences on both sides. A potent example of this is the conflict involving the Neiti & Nenguya pride, a group of lions who call the northern part of Amboseli National Park their home. The pride’s actions have led to challenges, forcing us all to confront the delicate balance between protecting these magnificent creatures and safeguarding the livelihoods of the people who share space with lions.

Neiti and Nenguya, both 10 years old, are the proud leaders of this family of 16 lions. For years, they have roamed the park, where they’ve found abundant prey, water, and shelter. Amboseli is a sanctuary, a lifeline for the pride—it offers everything they need to survive.

When the rainy season arrives, the landscape of Amboseli changes. The park’s water levels rise, and much of the prey begins to migrate. As the animals they depend on leave the park, so too does the pride, in search of food. 

Earlier this year, Neiti and Nenguya’s pride ventured into the Inkiitok and Meshanani villages. These peaceful communities, with their lush grasslands and livestock, became the hunting grounds for the pride. The lions, driven by desperate hunger and the instinct to survive, began attacking livestock. And with every cow, goat, and sheep they took, tension between the pride and the community escalated. Within just two weeks, the pride had killed at least three cows and injured several other animals. Naturally, a sense of anger and fear mounted, and soon, a hunt for the pride was initiated.

The stakes were high. Neiti and Nenguya’s pride were not just ordinary lions; they were park lions, accustomed to the safety and protection of Amboseli National Park. Unafraid of humans, their fearlessness made them vulnerable outside the park’s boundaries. A hunt would almost certainly lead to their deaths, but we couldn’t let that happen. We knew immediate action was crucial to protect both the pride and the community. Our response team, including local stakeholders, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Olgulului-Ololarashi Group Ranch rangers, and community members, collaborated to develop a solution. Our goal wasn’t to harm the pride, but to safely guide them away from the villages and back to the sanctuary of the park.

The first day of our mission was grueling. With reports of the pride killing two cows, several others missing, and the looming threat of an imminent hunt, tensions were high. We acted quickly, helping the community transport the carcasses, searching for the lost cows throughout the night, and patrolling around the homesteads. The following morning, we carefully guided the lions away from the homesteads and grazing areas into what we hoped would be a safer location for both the lions and the community. However, that evening, we received word that the pride had returned, and the tension in the community was rising once again.

The next day, we devised a strategy to herd the pride back to the park during the night, after all the livestock had been safely returned home. This task felt like an intense game of hide-and-seek, as the lions darted in every direction, evading us at every turn. Despite the challenges, we pressed on—eight long, exhausting hours later, we succeeded. Neiti, Nenguya, and the rest of the pride were safely guided back to the park. There was a brief moment of relief, but it was fleeting. The following day, we were called again—this time, the pride had attacked a cow along the park boundaries. And so, the cycle began anew.

The work was exhausting. Our vehicles got stuck in the mud, the days were long, and the uncertainty of each new day weighed heavily on us. Yet, despite these challenges, there was a profound sense of purpose. As an organization committed to human-wildlife coexistence, we understood that our efforts went beyond protecting the pride; they were about finding solutions that benefit both the lions and the people who share this land.

The road ahead will never be easy—there will always be challenges and difficult decisions to make. But we continue to believe that humans and wildlife can coexist peacefully. We witness this every day in Amboseli, and we remain dedicated to doing everything in our power to mitigate conflicts and nurture lasting coexistence, now and in the future.

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