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Did you know that at their current rate of decline, lions can become extinct in our lifetime?! With many of them living outside of protected areas, conservation solutions have to involve the people they live among. Today’s guest is Resson Kantai Duff, the Deputy Director of Ewaso Lions based in Northern Kenya. The mission of Ewaso Lions is to conserve lions and other large carnivores by promoting coexistence between people and wildlife. They do this by involving individuals who, traditionally, have had very little say in conservation decision-making in the past- Samburu Warriors, women, and children. We have a great discussion about their projects, how to be a part of governmental decision-making, and the importance of inclusion.

Highlights from our talk:

• (1:38) What human/wildlife conflict looks like in Northern Kenya
• (4:15) Warrior Watch
• (7:05) Mama Simbas
• (10:52) How Ewaso Lions works with the government to protect habitat (rather than against it)
• (15:08) Some new awareness-growing ideas
• (32:47) How does lion conservation compare to large carnivore conservation in the Americas
• (35:11) Importance of checking the conservation industry

What YOU can do to help lions (and large carnivores in your backyard):

• Share the work of Ewaso Lions on social media and in conversations. Help spread these ideas that work!
• Learn more about diversity, inclusion, and equity in the conservation world. Stand up for these ideals and lead as an example.
• Protecting large carnivores anywhere has to involve the people that they live among. Make efforts to protect your local carnivores by learning more about the issue and the stakeholders involved, participating in town halls, make and/or sign petitions, and recognize that you may have to make adjustments yourself to protect the wildlife in your area.
• Support Ewaso Lions

Resources Mentioned:

• Ewaso Lions: Website
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
• Wildlife Conservation Network (Ewaso Lions)
• Grevy’s Zebra Trust

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to go to your favorite podcast app and please subscribe, rate and review!

Hit me up on Instagram and Facebook (Page / Private Group) and let me know what actions for the world you have been taking. Adopting just one habit can be a game-changer because imagine if a billion people also adopted that!

What difference for the world are you going to make today?

 

Background music by Fearless Motivation Instrumentals: Meaning of Life