Founding Director

Dr. Alayne Oriol Cotterill

Alayne Oriol Cotterill is Founder and Director of Lion Landscapes. Alayne began her conservation and research career in 1991. Over the past 25 years, Alayne has focused her activities on promoting co-existence between large carnivores and people, and has spent more time in the field with wild lions than almost any conservationist alive today. Her vast experience working with diverse teams throughout East and Southern Africa, along with her commitment to research and natural aptitude and resourcefulness in the field, has positioned her as a unique leader and conservation strategist.

Senior Scientific Advisor

Dr. Lyman McDonald is a biometrician/statistician with over forty years of comprehensive experience in the application of statistical methods to design, conduct, and analyze environmental and laboratory studies. His specialties include sampling and monitoring of biological populations, calibration of biased sampling procedures, and modeling resource selection by animals. His experience has led to appointments to regional and national technical advisory and review committees, including Chair of the Independent Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB) for NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Power and Conservation Council and Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. He was the lead statistician for the Trustees in the Natural Resource Damage Assessment following the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, 1989. He has consulted with the State of Alaska, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and National Park Service on the design and analysis of numerous wildlife and fisheries studies in the State of Alaska. Dr. McDonald is the author of more than 100 papers in the scientific literature and is joint author of the Second Edition of the book entitled Resource Selection by Animals: Statistical Design and Analysis for Field Studies. He has also organized and taught workshops on statistical procedures for practicing biologists.

Field site manager Kenya

Jennifer Nyambura

Jennifer is a Kenyan national who has spent many years in the Laikipia area. Jennifer runs the Lion Landscape base-camp and is the on-the-ground problem solver for anyone from Lion Landscapes that works in the area. Jennifer’s tireless care and support enables our work in Kenya to run smoothly.

Field assistant and security

Wilson Langat

Wilson is our project Mr fix-it. Another Kenyan national, he has spent many years working with livestock in the Laikipia rangelands. He is very familiar with both the study area and livestock management, including the challenges livestock owners face when trying to guard their livestock from large carnivores. Wilson helps out with a range of activities in the field and at our base-camp.

Field assistant and security

Wesley Mutai

Wesley is responsible for the security of our base-camp in Laikipia. He works tirelessly to ensure that the rest of the team are protected from wildlife and people while working in our Laikipia study site. Again, Wesley is a Kenyan national with years of experience working in remote rangelands.

Loisaba Lion Ranger Unit

Peterson Leboo

Omar Ekai

Peter Echuu Lokadeli

Boniface Ekiru Lowoi

Didi Benjamin Lesalaja

Jackson Edapal Lopeyok

El Karama Lion Ranger Unit

Joel Kiprotich

James Mutua

John Mwindi

Hassan Wako

Japhet Dena

David Mburu

John Tapenguria

Evans Koech

Jackson Kombo

Justus Katuta

El Karama Guides

Joseph Kaluu

Lovii Maritim

Polycarp Gitu

Andrew Lelei

Patrick Mwongera

Robinson Omungasi

Bobby Mteu

Mpala Lion Ranger Unit

Daniel Tirajo Lemetiake
David Parkussa Katarua
Dennis Saruni Lemboikai
Pernick Leyiangere
Philip Lomuruti Adan
Yaro Manyaas

Ol Maisor Lion Ranger Unit

Ekutan Lotieng Nakuwa
Emanuel Kangiro Eloiloi
Josephat Narumbe Nakimati
Nicholas Nakua 

Fundraising & Development

Maureen Meeng

Maureen has over 25 years of management and commercial experience in Media and Publishing in both large companies and start-ups in Europe and Africa. During her years in Kenya she met Alayne and is delighted to use her skills to set up and run the development and fundraising strategy for Lion Landscapes together with Alyane. She welcomes any discussion with individual or corporate sponsors and will find a solution for any of your requests.

Field Biologist (Laikipia)

Antonia Leckie

Antonia Leckie is a Kenyan, brought up with a passion for conservation and a love of being on safari. Having recently completed a degree in Biology at The University of Nottingham, this FGASA qualified scientist is taking her first steps towards a career in conservation research. 

Sosian Ranger Unit

George Lorinyo
James Erunye
Simon Awoikal

Lewa Lion Ranger Unit

Simion Lerantilei

Saibala Gilicho

Dickson Mure

Francis Kobia

Borana Lion Ranger Unit

Wilson Sambaine

Kiloko Ramson

Isaiah Sempeyian

Nelson Kinyaga

Samuel Kisio

Tigit Tema