Lion Guardians

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Lion Guardians

Maasai warriors saving East Africa's lions outside protected areas in the Amboseli ecosystem.

WHO WE ARE

Lion Guardians is a conservation organization that promotes the coexistence of people and lions. Our more than 70 conservationists, biologists and local leaders work in collaboration with pastoralist communities to protect lions over 4,500 square kilometers (over one million acres) of prime lion habitat across Kenya and Tanzania. We are continuing to grow and expand our range, partnerships and impact. WHAT WE DO

The Lion Guardians program protects lions using a conservation model based on traditional knowledge,cultural values, community participation and science. Our approach proactively reduces conflict between people and lions, provides incentives and benefits to communities, generates important scientific data and knowledge about species conservation, and reinforces the cultural role and values of warriors within pastoralist communities. OUR CORE GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Participation & community-oriented: The participation of local communities as full and active partners in all of our work. Trust: Relationships of trust within our organization, with our partners, our donors and supporters, and with all of the communities with whom we work. Science-based: Conservation programs based on science, and the integration of social and biological sciences, including traditional and indigenous knowledge. Valuing co-existence: Strong links between local cultural values and conservation programmatic elements. Collaborative: Partnerships and collaborations are key to achieving long-lasting and broad conservation and livelihood impacts.

03/10/2026

The beauty of Mt. Kilimanjaro

The Maasai name for Mt. Kilimanjaro is Oldoinyio-Oiborr (The white Mountain). “Oldoinyio” means mountain, while “Oiborr” means white, reflecting the brilliant beautiful snow and ice that has covered the mountain summit for centuries.

To the Maasai community, this is not simply a distant mountain on the horizon. It is a permanently familiar landmark deeply woven into the Amboseli ecosystem landscape and a source of life for the communities and different wildlife species around its base.

For the Maasai community, Oldoinyio Oiborr is more than just another mountain. It is a source of water, fertility, and life - a blessing that continues to serve generations. Its snow covered summit may appear distant, but its gift reaches far beyond the mountain itself, flowing down to sustain life.

20/09/2026

A surprise visitor this morning at Lion Guardians camp in Amboseli!

15/09/2026

The 2026 Lion Census has begun!

In the first 24 hours, our four biologists and Guardians recorded 40+ lions across nine sessions, supported by dozens of excellent lion reports and visuals from the field.

With the possibility of El Niño on the horizon, our teams are working hard to survey as many lions as possible before the rains arrive.

An incredible start to this year’s census!

📸 Philip J. Briggs

08/09/2026

Meet Tulito: A New Generation of Guardians

At just 21 years old, Tulito represents the future of Lion Guardians. Joining the team as one of our newest Master Herders, he also marks an important milestone in our 20-year conservation journey as the first member from the newest Maasai warrior age set. With his arrival, Lion Guardians now spans three generations of Maasai warrior age sets—a powerful reflection of how conservation leadership is being passed from one generation to the next.

Although well educated and confident in English, Tulito is equally eager to learn the traditional skills that define a great Guardian. He is currently being mentored by Olubi Mitiaki, one of the original Guardians who has been with the program since its beginning. Under Olubi’s guidance, Tulito is learning the bushcraft needed to track wildlife, respond to lion-livestock conflict, and work alongside communities to build coexistence.

During our recent Guardian training, bringing together all 65 Guardians and Master Herders from across our region of work, Tulito was the youngest participant. Yet he quickly stood out, taking on leadership roles, translating for others, and demonstrating the quiet confidence of a natural leader.

We are proud to welcome Tulito to the Lion Guardians family and excited to watch him inspire the next generation of conservation leaders.

22/08/2026

Implicating the innocent by Eric Ole Kesoi
 Recently during our morning walk with our Executive Director Dr. Leela Hazzah, we saw a carcass of a hedgehog. The stomach contents were spread all over. We took time to investigate what had killed it. The trail that we call the firebreak was busy that night. Judging by the tracks many species passed through there. However, the most fresh tracks were those of two porcupines. We were convinced that they were the culprits. We continued with our walk but decided to come back and do more investigation.

We then saw tracks of a honey badger, two jackals and tracks of a big bird probably an owl. Upon further scrutiny, we found out that the most common and effective natural predators for wild African hedgehogs are large nocturnal birds of prey like owls as well as small-medium-size carnivores including honey badgers, jackals and even hyenas. When honey badgers and hedgehog’s path cross, honey badgers act as occasional predators. Owls also routinely hunt hedgehogs from above, bypassing spines by striking or crushing the head. This overpowers curled-up hedgehogs. The same as jackals that also aim at the head. We therefore realized that we had unknowingly almost implicated an innocent porcupine while all the clues pointed somewhere else.

04/08/2026

Two promising young males from the legendary Nanyorri Cohort were recently sighted in the Chyulu area. These impressive lions are the first-born sons of the well-known dispersal males from the Sunkuroi and Nawishie groups in Selenkey.

As they continue to mature, these young males represent the next generation of the Nanyorri lineage. It will be exciting to follow their journey as they grow, disperse, and eventually establish territories of their own in the years ahead.

08/07/2026

We’re hiring!

Lion Guardians is looking for a Head of Operations to join our team and help drive the mission of coexistence between people and lions forward.

This is a rare opportunity to play a central role in an organization that puts Indigenous knowledge, community leadership, and science at the heart of everything we do.

If you are passionate about making a lasting impact for both people and wildlife, we’d love to hear from you.

Full details are available 🔗 https://lionguardians.org/jobs/head-of-operations/

29/06/2026

After weeks of relentless tracking and years of pursuing the necessary approvals, we’re delighted to share that Lelinka has been successfully collared.

Known as 603, Lelinka is one of five brothers born in Eselenkei Group Ranch - sons of the legendary Sunkuroi, Nawishie pride. After dispersing from their natal pride, the brothers formed a powerful coalition in Mbirikani Group Ranch. But as their territory grew, so did conflict with pastoralist communities, and tragically, two brothers were lost to spearing incidents over the years.

Determined to prevent further loss, our team began the long process of securing a collaring permit that was finally granted in April 2026. After weeks in the field, the coalition was located on 28 May 2026, and KWS vets safely fitted Lelinka with a GPS collar.

This collar means real-time monitoring, instant alerts when the coalition nears livestock, and the chance to prevent conflict before it happens. Fewer losses for communities. Fewer retaliatory killings. A greater chance of survival for the lions.

🎥 Philip J. Briggs

24/06/2026

Recently, Lion Guardians hosted a three-day workshop at our main camp, bringing together Guardians from across the ecosystem to reconnect, reflect on our shared identity, celebrate successes, and address challenges as we continue protecting lions and supporting coexistence between people and wildlife.

The workshop focused on strengthening organizational culture and teamwork through discussions on identity, values, accountability, leadership, and collaboration. Guardians worked together to identify priority challenges in their areas and co-create practical solutions.
Working as a Lion Guardian requires more than field skills and ecological knowledge — it demands strong teamwork and a shared sense of purpose to navigate challenging environments and complex situations involving wildlife, livestock, and communities.

A central theme was our organizational values: honesty, trust, respect, responsibility, integrity, unity, and teamwork. These guide how we work with one another, engage with communities, and make decisions in the field.

“Lion Guardians’ values are closely connected to the values of the communities we serve. Respect is at the centre of our work, and people appreciate that we care about both their livelihoods and their wildlife. We work with communities and for communities.” — Kuyan

From its beginning, Lion Guardians has worked alongside local communities, drawing strength from shared values of respect, responsibility, and stewardship.

The workshop concluded with remarks from Executive Director Dr. Leela Hazzah, who thanked participants for their honesty, leadership, and active engagement, and encouraged Guardians to carry these lessons back to their areas as role models.

As Lion Guardians continues to grow, investing in reflection, learning, and reconnection strengthens our team and our ability to support a future where people and lions continue to coexist.

15/06/2026

Our 2025 Impact Report is here!

In 2025, we documented 275 individual lions across our area, successfully intervened in more than 75% of retaliatory hunting attempts, and marked 20 years of coexistence in Amboseli. Swipe through for more highlights from the year.

To read the full report, head to the link https://lionguardians.org/2025-impact-report/

Address

PO Box 15550 Langata
Nairobi
00509

Website

http://www.lionguardians.org/

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