By Amy Dickman, Alayne Cotterill, and Lily Maynard Camera traps are often seen simply as an ecological monitoring tool, but in East Africa, we turned them into something much more: a direct route to improved coexistence between people and carnivores. Human-carnivore conflict is a major and growing threat, imposing significant costs on local people through attacks and fear, and causing high levels of wildlife killings. Most conservation programmes focus, understandably, on reducing the direct costs of conflict, for example, by helping safeguard livestock. However, reducing costs alone rarely tips the balance. Lasting coexistence requires wildlife being seen as a visible, tangible asset to people who live with them every day. That is the premise behind Community Camera Trapping (CCT) and its expanded sibling, Community Camera Trapping Plus (CCT+), developed by Lion Landscapes with communities in Tanzania and now also operating in Kenya and Mozambique. From Stolen Cameras to Shared Ownership CCT began as a simultaneous fix to two problems. Firstly, we were providing community benefits, but as they were not directly tied to wildlife presence, killings remained high. Secondly, camera-traps placed for ecological monitoring were being stolen, as local people felt little engagement in their use. The solution - created during discussions with local people - was to hand the cameras, and the incentive structure, to communities themselves. Community members place and monitor the camera-traps, and every photographed animal earns points, weighted toward more threatened and more conflict-causing species: for example, a lion, African wild dog or hyaena generates more points than a small antelope. In an additional twist, an animal showing snare injuries earns nothing, while a collared research animal earns double points. Community members setting up a camera trap Points are tallied quarterly and converted into benefits the communities themselves choose, such as healthcare benefits, veterinary treatment, and school supplies. Results and benefits are displayed publicly, and every participating village receives something. CCT+ builds directly on that foundation. Where CCT rewards wildlife presence, CCT+ also rewards human behaviour: a community earns additional points for actions like installing fortified-livestock enclosures, and loses points for actions like poisoning or snaring. A co-developed, written conservation agreement - reviewed and renewed annually - spells out exactly what counts, how it's measured, and what it's worth, with a benefit floor so no community is left with nothing, and a cap so the program stays budgetable. Conservation and community impacts Household surveys in southern Tanzania reveal the programme’s strength; since the programme began, more people want lion numbers to increase or stay the same, view nearby wildlife positively, and recognize personal benefits from the presence of wildlife, even potentially dangerous and costly species like lions. Behaviour has shifted too: communities have reinforced livestock enclosures, reported conflict incidents promptly, and in some cases have actively protected high-value species, from tolerating breeding lion prides on village land to releasing a captured pangolin because it was worth more to the village alive in the wild than sold for illegal trade. Crucially, CCT+ doesn't require communities to hold formal rights over wildlife, only proximity to it, and it uses existing local governance structures for decision-making. Costs and rewards are shared, transparent, and adaptable - and while it is not perfect, this structure enables it to change and keep enabling coexistence even as circumstances change. CCT+ benefits distribution to the community: veterinary medicine given to pastoralists An Invitation to AZA Partners: Scaling up through AZA SAFE African Lion This year's SAFE African Lion campaign invites AZA-accredited institutions to help strengthen and scale this innovative programme. Lion Landscapes has had interest from around the world in how other conservation groups could use the community camera-trapping approach for other crucially important landscapes and species. Through SAFE African Lion, AZA member institutions can help in three ways: Supporting CCT+ in current landscapes. Helping Lion Landscapes enable a ‘Conservation Payments Coalition’ to share information with other interested groups. Assisting in identifying high-priority conservation partner projects where this initiative could be tested and expanded in future. For AZA members already investing in in situ carnivore conservation, CCT+ offers a model with a proven track record, transparent enough for communities, donors and zoo visitors, and flexible enough to trial in contexts very different from the East African rangelands where it was developed. This SAFE African Lion partnership is a chance to see how this approach could strengthen your own field partnerships, and to help write the next chapter of what community-driven coexistence can look like. One of the community members posing with health insurance card, one of the CCT+ benefits To learn more about partnering with Lion Landscapes on CCT+ with SAFE African Lion, contact the SAFE Program Leader, Dr. Lily Maynard, lily.maynard@cincinnatizoo.org. This blog was first published on the AZA Connect magazine website.

By Amy Dickman and Alayne Cotterill Placing satellite collars on large carnivores is one of the most common monitoring and research methods used by conservation scientists, but it also often generates substantial debate, confusion and questions. Here, we explain why we at Lion Landscapes collar lions and other large carnivores, and answer some of the key questions we hear about their use. 1. What are satellite collars and how do they work? Satellite collars take regular GPS positions on a pre-programmed schedule, enabling us to track carnivore movements without getting close to them. In addition, if the animal moves past a pre-determined location or boundary, also known as ‘virtual fences’, the collars can be programmed to change the frequency of locations, or to send alerts. One example of this use case is collars alerting us when a lion moves into areas where it is at high risk of conflict, allowing teams to respond before conflict occurs. 2. Why do we collar large carnivores? Although people often think of carnivores as just living within protected areas, in reality, they often rely heavily on human-dominated land beyond such areas. In these human-dominated sites, much of our understanding about carnivore behaviour, threats and needs has come from collar data. What we learn from collars also feeds back into our conservation programmes, and helps evaluate them - for example, if we do an intervention, how does it impact carnivores' use of the landscape? Therefore, our reasons for collaring animals largely fall into two somewhat overlapping categories: ecological research and improving coexistence. Ecological research Carnivores that live among people are adept at avoiding humans. Lion Landscapes works on some of the most important carnivore populations in Africa but the dynamics of these populations are often very poorly known. Collars provide vital insights into the ranging behaviours of large carnivores and can provide insights into levels and causes of mortality, helping us understand key conservation threats. Understanding movement patterns also helps us understand likely hotspots of carnivore presence, and how this overlaps with human and livestock presence. This is where it overlaps with our coexistence work, as detailed below. Improving coexistence People killing carnivores either to prevent or retaliate for attacks on livestock is one of the main threats to large carnivores in the areas where we work. Collaring helps us both to proactively manage current human-carnivore conflict, and to collect data that will help us to better manage such conflict in the future. Where collared carnivores are located or likely to be present, livestock keepers can avoid those areas, or increase vigilance and protective measures. When used alongside other livestock protection measures, monitoring with collars can significantly reduce the numbers of livestock killed by carnivores, protecting local livelihoods and improving people’s willingness to coexist with predators. This is particularly effective when collaring efforts are focused on carnivores that have been known to kill livestock. The collars are not a solution alone - livestock owners have to be kept abreast of the carnivore movement data and have the support they need to take appropriate action, which is why our networks of trained Lion Extension Officers, and wider trusted relationships between the project and local people, are an essential part of the solution. Collars can also strengthen relationships between local people and carnivores - people start to see animals as individuals with habits, preferences and struggles of their own. We have seen hardened lion killers become ardent defenders of collared lions after watching their movements and seeing where they raise cubs, and generally getting to know them. 3. Does collaring harm or pose a significant risk to the animal concerned? Collaring involves anaesthesia, which involves risk, including a very small risk of death. Darting involves some level of physical stress and harm, and there is also some risk of having an animal wearing a foreign object, which may catch on trees or get stuck in the lower jaw of the animal. Although serious harm or death is very unlikely, we as researchers take all these kinds of risks extremely seriously, and do everything possible to avoid them. We undergo stringent ethical review before collaring is permitted, use well-trained staff and experienced vets throughout the handling, and carefully monitor the animal during and after collaring and recovery. These extremely careful procedures clearly lower risks - during our collective lifetime experience, spanning several decades and collaring several hundreds of large carnivores, we have experienced less than five incidents where a large carnivore has either died, or been in a serious situation requiring active intervention, due to darting or collaring. That’s not to undermine the seriousness of those rare events - the whole team finds it extremely distressing when an animal dies or is injured during or after collaring, and we take lots of time to review what happened and assess how we can reduce anything similar happening in the future. We always take proactive steps to reduce the chances of bad outcomes, and problems can be often quickly detected and resolved - for example, if a collared animal shows a lack of movement, or unusual behaviour, teams can follow up on it to conduct a visual assessment, and then have the collar drop off remotely if needed, or in the worst-case scenario, dart the animal again. It is also important to balance the real but small risks of collaring with the benefits it can deliver for large carnivores as well as people. As described above, collaring an animal can reduce the risk of it coming into serious conflict with people, and limit the chance of it suffering a long-drawn out death through poisoning or spearing. Understanding large carnivore dynamics and the threats they face can help drive effective conservation action, reducing harm to far more animals than just the collared few. 4. Does wearing a collar make an animal less wild, or change its behaviour? It is natural for many people to see a collar and think that the animal wearing the collar looks less wild, because collars are a symbol of ownership in our modern pet-owning world. However, the opposite is more normally true with wild animals. Collars are a key conservation tool for animals in large open systems and are not as necessary in smaller fenced reserves. Collars allow remote tracking and sensing, giving us a window into a wild animal’s movements and behaviour without being disturbed by the physical presence of research scientists. A collared animal is every bit as wild as an uncollared animal in the same population. However, in some cases, collared animals and their group can become more habituated to human presence than uncollared animals if collars are used to aid physical observation of the animal, either to collect more research data or to check the health of the collared animal and the condition and fit of the collar itself. This kind of habituation is no different to animals exposed to regular photographic tourism, which also become habituated and are less likely to run from the presence of tourist vehicles. A well-fitted collar leaves no visible gaps between the neck and the collar, to prevent it becoming caught on branches or other objects, and to prevent the carnivore getting its bottom jaw stuck in the collar, which could be deadly. A large carnivore's neck is often narrow behind the head, and a common concern is that the collar is too tight when it is fitted correctly. Collars can look bulky (though they are very light compared to the carnivore) and unnatural, so people also often express concern that the collar may impact the natural life of the animal wearing it. That is definitely not the case from our experience - many of our collared animals wear collars for most of their adult lives and thrive. We monitor collared animals much more closely than uncollared ones, so we have much less data on the latter, but collared animals don’t appear to behave any differently to uncollared animals, and carry out all normal activities such as breeding and hunting. Indeed, where collars help reduce conflict, an animal's life expectancy and breeding potential may be substantially improved by wearing a collar. 5. Why don’t collars save every animal wearing them? There are good reasons why we collar animals, and those may lead to reductions in conflict risk as above, but we do not collar animals in order to directly intervene in preventing other deaths. For example, hunting tourism occurs in the Tanzanian landscapes we work in, and we understand that is legitimate, chosen land use in those areas. If a collared animal moves into a trophy hunting zone, we would not intervene - those areas often represent important habitat, so movement there is part of its natural ranging pattern, and it is beyond our remit as researchers to intervene in any way. We monitor their movement, and if an animal is killed, we would receive a mortality alert and aim to follow up and establish the cause of death. This may seem counterintuitive - if we can use collars to alert us of when a carnivore is likely to come into conflict with people, and act then to prevent conflict, why don’t we do the same to avert possible killings when carnivores enter hunting zones? It is because there are crucial differences between conflict killings and trophy hunting killings - the former are often done using illegal means (e.g. poison) and the conflict carries major risks for local people, while the latter are legally permitted and can benefit both people and wildlife, by providing another source of economic revenue from wildlife presence. People (including hunters) often feel that collared animals should not be trophy hunted - but as researchers, we would far rather they were treated just as any other animal, as if the collar were invisible. Avoiding shooting an animal simply because it has a collar on means that the data on causes of death becomes biased, undermining one of the central reasons for using them. If a carnivore is trophy hunted, all we would want is for the collar to be returned, so it could be placed on another animal. We don’t blame the hunters, any more than we blame someone who has killed a carnivore in conflict - our aim as researchers is to collect unbiased data and our role as conservationists is to reduce real threats to large carnivore populations. To do this, we need to engage positively with all stakeholders, building the trust and relationships which are vital for long-term, joined-up conservation. However, although collaring may not protect that individual, mortality data is key for understanding the level of different threats, so it could reveal if trophy hunting did indeed seem to be an issue. This was seen in Zimbabwe, when collaring data was key to highlighting unsustainable levels of trophy hunting, which led to a moratorium and then a reduction of the quota so that threat was reduced. This is a clear example of how collaring can play a key role in informing more effective, evidence-led wildlife management and conservation. 6. Can collaring negatively impact tourism? Images of animals without collars are normally valued more highly by tourists, professional photographers and their clients than images of collared animals, so people worry that collaring could harm photo-tourism in an area. However, in our experience, it is clear that when tourists and guides are properly informed about why collaring is done, they quickly come to appreciate the role of collars and start seeing collared animals as the fascinating, important ambassadors for their uncollared brethren that they are. Collaring is also often feared from a hunting tourism perspective, but for different reasons. Incidents of hunting collared animals has led to intense media pressure and backlash (as was seen with ‘Cecil’ the lion in Zimbabwe), so hunters often prefer not to have collars on animals which could be killed, to avoid that risk. There is often distrust between hunters and NGOs performing collaring, but we are keen to work with all stakeholders in a landscape, and want to have open, transparent dialogue and understanding. We don’t want our collaring to undermine any of the legal wildlife-based land uses in the areas where we work, including both photo-tourism and hunting tourism, and want instead for photo-tourists, guides, hunters, operators and other stakeholders to understand and recognise the far-reaching benefits that collaring can deliver. 7. Are there alternatives to collaring? People often ask if we could use something else, such as an implant placed within the animal’s body, rather than an external collar. However, that would still involve the same kind of capture and intervention that collaring does, and placing the device internally would be even more invasive and would be likely to risk other harms. There is simply no other tool available at present that offers the detailed level of tracking that collaring does. That’s not to say that better alternatives won’t emerge in the future. Advances in technology mean that collaring is likely to become less and less crucial - increasingly, wild animals can be detected and tracked without any physical interaction at all. For example, acoustic monitoring can now be used not only to record wild animal presence, but also to count how many individual lions or leopards have been detected. Similarly, technological advances now mean that individual animals can often be identified through camera-traps, providing invaluable information on population size and animal movement. These kinds of advances are exciting and we are already working with collaborators to see how we can best use them for our monitoring and conservation work - in an ideal world, we could get all the information needed without any animal handling - but they cannot yet provide the detailed movement and behavioural data, and early warning capacity we currently receive from collars. We consider collaring carefully, make it as safe as possible, but for now, it remains an important part of our research and conservation work.

Every day across the landscapes where we work in Africa, women are driving large carnivore conservation from the frontlines, not the sidelines. They are scientists tracking lion and leopard populations, community-based liaison officers navigating complex ecological and socio-cultural dynamics at the grassroots, strategists translating evidence into action, and leaders ensuring that large carnivore conservation delivers tangible value for people and wildlife. On this International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the women whose dedication, expertise, and quiet persistence make human-large carnivore coexistence possible. In a field historically dominated by men, their contributions are expanding who conservation includes and how it works today. In this blog, we spotlight six remarkable women we are lucky enough to have in the Lion Landscapes team. They represent the 26 who make up approximately one-third of the total staff across Lion Landscapes and over half of the senior leadership team. Their work, in different ways, is helping build a future where people and wildlife can thrive together. Eva Kilelii - CCT Programme Officer, Ruaha landscape, Tanzania My work is about people. I sit with community members, listening to their concerns, and helping them see themselves as active participants in large carnivore conservation, not obstacles to it. When communities directly experience the benefits of having large carnivores in their landscape, they become conservation’s strongest advocates. The path that led me here began in my early years. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand how difficult it can be when people and wildlife share a landscape. One time, a lion entered a nearby livestock enclosure and killed five cows! The community became very angry, chased after the lion, and started hunting other large carnivores in retaliation. I knew from those early experiences of human-wildlife conflict that I wanted to be part of the solution, not a bystander to the problem. Now, whenever I witness a community choose peaceful, sustainable ways to protect their livestock, such as the fortified livestock enclosures and lion lights, I feel proud and reassured that this work is everything I believe it can be. It is proof that conservation doesn't have to come at the cost of livelihoods, and that coexistence is possible. I’ve seen how having more women in conservation is transforming the field. We bring diverse perspectives, strong community relationships, and an instinct for collaborative problem-solving. To any girl dreaming of working in this sector, I want you to know that your voice, ideas, and leadership skills matter. Be confident in your abilities, remain curious and open to learning, and never give up on your dreams. This field is waiting for passionate, determined women like you to drive the meaningful, lasting change that our landscapes need. Levina Mcharo - Research Assistant, Selous-Nyerere landscape, Tanzania I grew up in the Kilimanjaro and Arusha region, where tourism and nature were part of everyday life. We were surrounded by the Kilimanjaro and Meru mountains and four national parks with a variety of wildlife. Seeing how communities depend on wildlife and the natural environment sparked my passion for nature and my commitment to preserving it. Behavioural change in people is one of the most powerful outcomes in conservation. When I see children and adults genuinely caring for wildlife in the local communities today, taking pride in protecting it, and directly benefiting from their presence around us, that tells me something real is happening. It inspires me because I know that my work contributes to solutions that support people, large carnivores, and the wider ecosystem. One thing that people might be surprised to learn about my role is that I spend much of my time out in the field, collecting data, engaging with communities, and working through often tough conditions. There is a persistent assumption that conservation work, particularly field work, is only for men. As a female researcher, I am out there every day proving otherwise. And it is not just physical endurance the role demands; it takes resilience, problem-solving, and communication skills. Doing this work has realised a dream for me, and I hope it shows other women and girls what is possible. As more women enter and lead in this field, they challenge old stereotypes and open doors for girls to see conservation as a possible career. To any girl considering this path, I’d say go for it. This field is not reserved for men, and your perspective is not just welcome, it is essential. Conservation keeps evolving, and what it looks like ten years from now will be shaped by the people bold enough to enter it today. You will have the chance to be on the ground, to understand what is really happening, and to bring something unique to the table. Don't shy away from it. Miriam Kagore - Lion Extension Officer, Laikipia Landscape, Kenya I have always felt a deep connection to wildlife and wild places, but what truly inspired me to work in large carnivore conservation was seeing how closely people's lives are intertwined with nature. What keeps me motivated is knowing that even small, consistent efforts can create meaningful change, especially when we work with local communities. My work involves as much relationship-building and problem-solving as it does wildlife. A typical day can include strategy meetings, logistics, and community engagement alongside fieldwork. It requires adaptability, patience, and a lot of listening. The human dimension of conservation is just as important as the ecological one, and it’s been great seeing community members take ownership of conservation initiatives, not because they were asked to, but because they genuinely believed in them. Having more women in large carnivore conservation is making the field stronger. Women often bring inclusive leadership styles, strong communication skills, and a good understanding of community dynamics. As more women step into leadership and technical roles, the field becomes more balanced, innovative, and truly representative of the communities it serves. It also sends a powerful message to the next generation about who belongs in these spaces. My message to any girl considering this path is that you absolutely belong here. Don't wait until you feel ready. We learn through experience, curiosity, and courage. Seek out mentors, ask questions, and remember that making a difference doesn't require perfection, but commitment. Nyangeta Magesa - Research Assistant, Ruaha landscape, Tanzania I grew up in northern Tanzania, near Serengeti National Park, so I heard lots of stories about the beauty of wildlife, but it was joining Lion Landscapes that opened my eyes to the real challenges local communities face when living alongside large carnivores, and inspired me to be part of the solution. One of my proudest moments was establishing a wildlife club at a local primary school. Seeing how enthusiastically the students and teachers embraced it, the curiosity, the commitment, the pride they took in it, gave me hope. Those children are the next generation of conservation advocates, and if we can reach them early, coexistence becomes something they grow up believing in, not something they have to be convinced of. My work isn't only about large carnivores in the field. It involves stakeholder engagement, outreach programmes, conflict mitigation, and data collection, often with long days travelling to remote areas. No two days look the same. People are often surprised to learn that conservation requires as much communication, patience, and cultural understanding as it does ecological knowledge. Having more women in conservation is a game-changer. Women already carry great responsibility at the family and community level. We are natural problem-solvers, negotiators, and relationship-builders. When you bring those skills into large carnivore conservation alongside the skills men have, you get more grounded solutions and outcomes that last. The communities we work with see us, trust us, and listen to us. That makes a huge difference. To any girl who wants to work in this field, just be passionate, be courageous, and don't let anyone stop you from doing what you believe in. You have the ability to change things more than you might realise. This work needs you. Susan Lentaam - Research Assistant, Laikipia landscape, Kenya My love for wildlife started early, shaped by my father, a livestock farmer who grew up in an area rich in wildlife. When he was a young man, he was speared in the leg by friends while trying to protect a lion that was killing livestock. He told me that story often and explained why large carnivores matter in the ecosystem. I grew up wanting to be on the lion's side. My father believed that to do that, I needed to be strong and brave like a lion. That belief stayed with me, and it's what brought me to large carnivore conservation. Now I am responsible for tracking all the collared lions and managing all the data collected by teams in the field. It’s not an easy job, but the way technology is transforming what's possible in conservation keeps me motivated. It gives us a powerful edge in managing human-carnivore conflict and handling data in ways that weren't imaginable before. We're always learning, always trying new approaches, and that constant evolution keeps me energised. One moment I can never forget was when I noticed an unusual movement from a pride that regularly moves through areas of high human-large carnivore conflict. I suspected the lioness might be seriously injured, so my team and I rushed out to find them. When we arrived, we discovered she was nursing cubs. That sight, those small, new lives in a landscape rife with potential conflict, filled me with hope that coexistence is not just possible, but already happening. Unlike what most people would picture when they think about my role, I am not sitting behind a desk all day. In reality, I'm both at the desk and out in the field. Thanks to technology, I can monitor the movements of every collared lion in real-time, tracking where they are and anticipating potential conflicts before they happen. I also work closely with our LEOs to help them manage their data collection and troubleshoot their phones remotely when needed. Because I track every collared lion’s every movement, it feels like I'm out there with the lions even when I'm not, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Women are proving to be effective leaders in conservation, and our presence is making a real and lasting difference in the field. We bring care and a commitment to show up in the office, in the community, or out in the landscape. To any girl who wants to work in this field, I'll leave you with this: passion is energy. Love what you do, and believe that it truly matters because it does. Zainabu Mlaponi - Field Programmes Manager, Selous-Nyerere landscape, Tanzania What drives me at work is the people. Helping communities navigate the real challenges of living alongside wildlife, and seeing them trust us enough to come back with feedback and engage with our programmes, tells me this work means something beyond a job title. There are two moments that will stay with me forever. The first was arriving at a community where cattle had been killed from poisoning in a conflict between pastoralists and farmers, and finding people already preparing to eat the meat. We had to act quickly, explaining the dangers and the risks to their health. They listened, and they didn't eat it. In that moment, conservation work became something much more immediate. The second moment was more personal. When I first started working with Lion Landscapes, some people refused to take me seriously, calling me by men's names and insisting I was doing a man's job. Today, those same people respect what I do. That shift means more to me than I can easily put into words. People are often surprised to see a young woman from their own community in a role like mine. They expect to see an older man. Sometimes they're even surprised to see me driving a manual car or heading out for fieldwork. There is still an assumption that women can't handle this kind of work. Every time I show up and do it anyway, I hope that assumption gets a little smaller. Having more women in conservation is quietly changing how people think about who this work is for. When communities see women leading in these spaces, it stops being unusual. It becomes normal, and that matters. To the young girls out there aspiring to work in the wildlife conservation sector, don't worry about what people will say. If your work is keeping others safe and making a difference, do it. People will come around. Let them watch you, and let the work speak for itself. The profiles shared here reflect the breadth of talent, courage, and commitment that women bring to large carnivore conservation, from the field to the leadership team. That spirit is embodied by our joint CEOs, Prof. Amy Dickman and Dr Alayne Cotterill, whose careers have been built on the same principles these women live every day: rigorous science, community respect, partnership, and a belief that people and wildlife can coexist. Dr Alayne Cottreill Joint CEO, Lion Landscapes Prof. Amy Dickman Joint CEO, Lion Landscapes "It makes sense that, given approximately half of every community we work with is women, we need women in our teams, particularly working in areas where cultural norms mean that women will often only speak their mind to other women, and men to men. Men and women bring very different strengths and perspectives to conservation, and having both at every level means we can make sure all voices are being heard and the solutions we co-develop benefit from that diversity. When I started my journey as a Field Biologist, I didn’t have a single female role model. I had to overcome a lot of prejudice, but I was lucky to work with some men who were willing to go against the norm and give me opportunities. I am humbled by the fantastic women in conservation today. As female co-CEOs, both Amy and I want to make sure Lion Landscapes is a place where women and men can thrive and shine." — Alayne “Women have always been at the heart of what Lion Landscapes does, and who we do it for. The organisation was established by women leaders and is supported daily by amazing female staff, while women in the communities play a crucial role in helping us understand the dynamics of conflict, and what is needed for successful coexistence programmes. I always wanted to be a lion conservationist, but all the ones I knew of and read about were men. I hope that Lion Landscapes is helping change that perception, with women being central at every step of the way. Women undoubtedly face extra challenges, including everything from facing sexism, dealing with periods and pregnancy in the field, and, sometimes, balancing babies and fieldwork. But women also have great resilience, and their passion and perseverance play an outsized role in changing conservation for the better. I hope every girl and woman feels they have a place in making conservation stronger, and we hope to continue to support them however possible.” — Amy To every woman at Lion Landscapes and beyond, working, often against the odds, to make that possible, today we celebrate you and the future you are helping to build. You exemplify what it truly means to #GiveToGain through generosity and collaboration. Happy International Women’s Day!

Every movement of a collared lion tells a story - often a story of survival, conflict avoided, and coexistence in landscapes shared with people. This edition explores how collaring has become central to conservation science and human-lion coexistence, and shows the work behind the scenes that turns movement into meaningful decisions. New lion collars Our Strategy At Lion Landscapes, we only use satellite collars to serve a purpose: helping generate data on lion behaviour, anticipating human-lion conflict, and informing strategies that safeguard both lions and communities in shared landscapes. “Satellite collars give us incredible insight into the movements of elusive and nocturnal animals, enabling us to track them across the landscapes,” says Alayne Cotterill, joint-CEO of Lion Landscapes. “Knowing where lions are helps communities avoid them and reduce livestock losses. Collar data also provides verifiable evidence of lion presence on village land, generating benefits through our Community Camera Trapping + (CCT+) programme. Through all of this, collaring supports our mission to make large carnivore conservation valuable to local and global communities.” Dr. Alayne Cotterill, Lion Landscapes Joint CEO Collars inform our coexistence strategies in three key ways: Behavioural insights - Collaring provides high-resolution behavioural data that, when combined with information about prey, habitat, and human activity can help identify patterns of where conflict may occur. This helps us better target our conflict mitigation programmes. Proactive alerts - Collars allow our teams to inform livestock owners in near real-time about the movement of lions, helping avoid certain grazing routes at specific times. This enables communities to protect their herds before conflict occurs. Community connection - Collaring cultivates empathy and familiarity: observing a lion’s movements allows communities to connect with individual animals, building understanding and tolerance, which can help reduce the likelihood of retaliatory killings. Together, these three approaches help us measure success: reducing livestock predation, generating research outputs, and improving community attitudes toward lions. While all are important across our sites, strategies vary depending on the local context. In Ruaha’s buffer zones, collars track skittish lions with minimal human interaction. In Laikipia, collars operate within private conservancies, supported by rangers and local communities. In Selous-Nyerere, collaring is led by Frankfurt Zoological Society and conducted primarily within protected areas to monitor behaviour and identify threats. Field Stories: Life Behind the Data Collaring a lion requires patience, skill, and careful coordination. Teams locate lions using extensive field knowledge, from tracking footprints to interpreting distant roars. Human presence adds complexity: during one Laikipia collaring, residents arrived with dogs, alarmed by the lion calls. The team adapted quickly, explaining their work and ensuring safety for both the lions and the community. Once a lion is located, a qualified government veterinarian safely immobilises it. Blindfolded and moved to shade if needed, the lion is assessed, treated for any injuries if necessary, and fitted with a collar. Identification photographs and genetic samples that contribute to long-term research are also taken. Collars are lightweight (~0.6 - 0.8% of body weight) and fitted by qualified government veterinarians, with automatic drop-off units to minimise repeated handling. These practices are designed to safeguard lion welfare throughout the monitoring period. Examples from the field Recently, four collars were deployed across two prides in Tanzania: the Mkwawa and Tandala groups. The Mkwawa pride, which entered village lands, was healthy, and its four cubs were thriving, reflecting the success of our coexistence work with local communities. The Tandala pride, which tends to range closer to Ruaha National Park, received a new collar to maintain monitoring if they enter community areas. A previously collared Mkwawa female was found with a wire snare around her leg. While immediate intervention wasn’t safe, the team continues to monitor her, ready to act when possible. These examples illustrate how collar data translates into real-world action that benefits both people and lions. From Data to Action Collaring is operationally complex. Ana Grau, our Research & Monitoring Lead, explains: “Collars are expensive, and permits, especially in Tanzania, must be processed months in advance, so we plan carefully. In Tanzania, we typically aim for seven collars targeting high-risk groups near village land, but currently have ten active collars due to functional collars from previous years. In Laikipia, there are more collars (22) because the permits are usually handled by individual conservancies.” Field data already informs meaningful action. In Ruaha, lions from the Mkwawa pride spent significant time in village lands. Alerts provided to pastoralists allowed them to take protective measures and reduce conflicts. In Laikipia, collars help monitor lions entering community conservancies, guiding interventions and reducing conflict. In 2025 alone, 1,163 alerts were generated when lions crossed virtual fences set between safer and higher-risk areas, all responded to by our community liaison teams, a strong indicator of how collar data translates into proactive on-the-ground action. While incidents still occur, including livestock losses and occasional lion killings, collaring significantly reduces human-wildlife conflict and the associated loss of livestock and lions. Looking Ahead: Mutual survival in motion Collaring is far more than tracking lions. It is the bridge between field practice, scientific insight, and community action. Every signal from a collar tells a small part of a bigger story: a lion moving through the night, a herder adjusting his route at dawn, a community choosing coexistence over conflict. These real-time movement data, alerts, and behavioural insights reinforce Lion Landscapes’ mission of turning data into decisions that make large carnivore conservation valuable for people and wildlife alike. A collared lioness in its natural habitat THANK YOU - ASANTE SANA As always, we thank all our partners and sponsors for their continued generous support and commitment to our work. Stay in touch You can visit our website and keep up to date on our work and research in Africa by subscribing to our general newsletter. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for recent photos and stories from the field.

Wildlife Club students during a visit to the Nyerere National Park When Connection Becomes Conservation Impactful conservation action on the ground begins with people understanding and valuing the wildlife that share their landscapes. Across the areas where we work, we create opportunities that turn this idea into practice by providing spaces where knowledge is exchanged through lived experience, dialogue leads to practical action, and cultural traditions support conservation. Through our community outreach programmes, we aim to connect people with nature, strengthen community bonds, and create an environment where key information is continually shared. From school trips to wildlife-rich areas, to film nights under open skies, cultural gatherings, and hands-on training, these initiatives demonstrate that conservation is most effective when people are engaged and connected to the natural world. In this issue, we share stories of connection in action, each reflecting our commitment to making wildlife conservation something people experience and value in their daily lives. Learning from the Wild: Wildlife Club Park Trips For many children living at the edge of protected areas, lions and other wildlife exist more in stories than in first-hand experience, and those stories often focus on conflict: livestock killed by lions and other large carnivores, or crops destroyed by elephants. These narratives shape how young people perceive wildlife, creating fear and distrust that is rarely countered by positive encounters. The Wildlife Club programme helps bridge that gap, allowing children to connect with wildlife conservation on a personal level and to form more hopeful stories about sharing the landscape with wild species. Once a year, we take Wildlife Club students on park trips that bring classroom lessons to life. Last August, 360 students from five schools visited Nyerere National Park, gaining the opportunity to see wildlife up close. With a sense of anticipation, they travelled in the cool of early morning to Mtemere Gate, where the day began with a group photograph. Throughout the day, they encountered giraffes, elephants, kudu, impala, and even a leopard. One of the most memorable moments occurred at the hippo pool, where students observed hippos and crocodiles sharing the water and sketched what they saw in their notebooks. By afternoon, beneath a large baobab tree, the students gathered to discuss what they had seen and reflect on what they had learned. They returned home with a greater awareness and understanding of the wildlife around them. Key takeaway:  Park trips help children see animals, including lions and other conflict-causing species, as more than ‘bogey men’ that come in the night to kill or destroy property. Instead, they see them as fellow creatures striving to raise their young and find food. By building deeper connections and understanding the importance of healthy ecosystems, we help shift young people’s perspectives on wildlife and hopefully, help inspire the next generation of conservationists. Stories Under the Stars: Wildlife Film Showings Knowledge is not only learned; it is shared. And sometimes, the best sharing happens under an open sky. A wildlife film night session at Mukutan community, Laikipia Kenya Throughout July and August, villages in the Ruaha Landscape came alive after dusk with wildlife film showings. For some attendees, it was their first time seeing lions and other wildlife through the lens of science and story. For others, the films opened space for discussions about living alongside these animals. For everyone, they offered new perspectives on lions and other large carnivores. A screen became a window into predator–prey dynamics and the realities of coexistence. The discussions that followed were rich and diverse: elders shared lessons from their experiences, young people expressed hopes of seeing lions in the wild safely, and pastoralists explored practical ways to safeguard their livestock . One elder noted, “We didn’t know why lions came close to our bomas (homesteads). Now we understand they follow livestock, especially when wild prey is scarce.” For some participants, these evenings also opened doors to visit the park themselves. At the end of each event, a fair and exciting raffle was held, giving a few lucky participants the chance to visit Ruaha National Park. Experiences like these transform understanding into lived experience, strengthen personal connections with wildlife, and encourage more positive attitudes that support coexistence. Key takeaway:  For many pastoralists living alongside lions and other large carnivores, experience of wildlife is often shaped by conflict and loss. Wildlife film nights broaden this perspective by building connections through understanding and illustrating the role these animals play in maintaining ecological balance. By creating opportunities for shared experiences and informed discussion, these evenings support practical understanding of carnivore behaviour and explore solutions that reduce conflict. Both are essential steps toward safe, lasting coexistence. Culture and Conservation: Pastoralist Dance Events Successful conservation solutions are not only rooted in science; they also depend on local culture, values, and knowledge. In Tanzania, community dances are an important part of local tradition, marking key celebrations and ceremonies. In the Ruaha and Selous–Nyerere Landscapes, we have developed a programme that builds on these gatherings as platforms for conservation dialogue with pastoralist communities. Held monthly, the Pastoralist Dance Event brings together pastoralists, both long-term partners and new residents, to raise awareness about wildlife and coexistence through song, dance, and drama. Facilitated by our community liaisons, these events provide a culturally familiar setting where pastoralists can learn about conservation, understand how to seek support when needed, and share their own experiences. On 4 September, more than 250 people gathered in Kihimbwa for one such event, enjoying traditional performances that were both entertaining and informative. A shared meal followed, creating a relaxed environment for open and constructive dialogue. Together, the community and our team explored the meaning and practicalities of human–carnivore coexistence: stories of pride and peril, tradition and survival. They spoke about lions in the wild and the dangers posed by poaching and poisoning. The dances invited laughter, reflection, and conversation, creating space for honest discussion and mutual understanding. Key takeaway:  By grounding conservation messaging in local culture and tradition, we encourage open discussion, respect, and shared responsibility. This strengthens trust and commitment to practices that help safeguard local livelihoods from large carnivores and enable coexistence between people and wildlife. Learning in the Field: Coexistence and Protection Training Another way we invite dialogue and strengthen local capacity is through the Coexistence and Protection (CoPro) Training. CoPro Training equips a wide range of participants, from rangers to herders, with practical skills to monitor wildlife, understand carnivore behaviour, and reduce human–carnivore conflict across shared landscapes. In August, Upper Naibung’a and Suyian Conservancies took part in CoPro sessions. Naibung’a, a newly established community conservancy, hosted its first training, while Suyian’s team attended a refresher to build on earlier sessions. Participants learned how to use SMART tools for data collection, interpret signs of wildlife activity, and implement practical solutions to prevent conflict between people and large carnivores. These sessions give those working in the Laikipia Landscape the tools they need to better manage human–carnivore conflict through shared best practices, promoting wide-scale coexistence in their daily work. Key takeaway:  CoPro Training combines hands-on learning with data-driven tools and practical solutions that help conservation practitioners and others working across the Laikipia Landscape to address and manage human–carnivore conflict. By offering this training to a wide network of rangers, herders, and others on the front line, we help ensure a unified, informed, and effective response across the landscape. Thomas during the CoPro training at Upper Naibung'a Looking Ahead Across our programmes and landscapes, a clear thread emerges: conservation begins with connection. Whether it’s a child sketching a leopard for the first time, a community discussing how to live alongside lions, or a song shared at a village gathering, each moment brings people and wildlife closer together. As we move forward, we remain committed to building these connections with communities and partners, working towards healthy landscapes where both people and wildlife can thrive. Lasting conservation is never achieved in isolation; it grows through collaboration and shared understanding. THANK YOU - ASANTE SANA   As always, we thank all our partners and sponsors for their continued generous support and commitment to our work. Stay in touch You can visit our website and keep up to date on our work and research in Africa by subscribing to our general newsletter. Join us on   Facebook , Instagram ,   and LinkedIn  for recent photos and stories from the field.

Across the landscapes where we work, living alongside lions and other large carnivores brings real challenges for both people and wildlife. Finding ways to coexist is essential. This newsletter edition focuses on how our teams, working closely with local communities, are putting practical solutions into place; stopping the loss of wildlife and habitat , reducing the cost of living alongside large carnivores , and increasing the benefits their presence brings . These interventions are already making a measurable difference. They are rooted in local knowledge, guided by data, and strengthened by long-standing trust. From early warning alerts to fortified livestock enclosures and community benefit programmes, this is coexistence in action: practical, collaborative, and shaped by the realities of daily life in each landscape. Community members during the fortified livestock enclosures demonstrations in Laikipia, Kenya Stopping the Loss: Protecting Large Carnivores and Their Prey Lions and other large carnivores face a range of threats. Some die indirectly when habitats are degraded or when prey populations decline due to land-use changes such as farming, settlement expansion, or poaching for meat and body parts. Others are killed directly by people, either to prevent attacks on livestock and humans or in retaliation after an attack. To help reduce direct killing, our local community liaisons, Lion Defenders in Ruaha and Lion Extension Officers (LEOs) in Laikipia and Selous-Nyerere, work across these landscapes to lower the risk of conflict , reduce the need for retaliation , and respond quickly to minimise the impacts of conflict when it occurs . Early warning systems :   Liaisons carry out spoor patrols and use GPS collar data to track nearby carnivores. Combining this with their knowledge of animal behaviour, they share timely alerts with livestock owners and herders, providing advice and support to move livestock, adjust grazing routes, or strengthen enclosures in response to alerts. These actions help prevent predation, the main cause of retaliatory killings, and have helped us build trust with the community. Poison prevention :   When retaliation does occur, it is often through poisoning or snares. These methods not only kill large carnivores but also cause wider ecological losses, including to critically endangered vultures and other scavengers. To address this, we provide Poison Prevention Training for conservation practitioners, government officers, and community members. These sessions raise awareness of the human and environmental dangers of using poisons, improve rapid response capacity, and strengthen reporting channels, helping to prevent the direct loss of large carnivores and the environmental exposure of people and their livestock to dangerous poisons. Rapid response to conflict events  - Despite the best efforts of our team and community livestock owners to prevent conflict, events such as livestock predation will still occasionally happen where people and their livestock overlap with large carnivores. Our network of community-based liaisons makes sure they respond quickly to any reports they receive, so that people feel supported and ways of preventing future conflicts are shared. The goodwill that comes from a fast and sympathetic response when people are in need is invaluable for building trust and preventing retaliatory killing. Although conflict-related killings of lions and other large carnivores are not everyday events, the impacts of conflict between large carnivores and people are severe for both. Understanding both the causes of conflict and the conditions that prevent it is essential to reducing future risk. Our Six Key Factors  analysis  identifies the conditions that make coexistence possible and the drivers that can push situations towards conflict. By combining prevention with rapid, informed response, these interventions not only avert immediate losses but also help lay the groundwork for lasting coexistence between people and large carnivores. Left: Lion Defenders administering first aid to an injured animal after an attack. Right: Identifying lion spoor Reduce the Cost: Livestock Protection Stopping loss of large carnivores is only part of the challenge, it is equally important to reduce the day-to-day costs of living alongside them . For many households, livestock represent both economic security and cultural value. When predators attack, the losses can be deeply felt, threatening livelihoods and straining community tolerance for wildlife. One of the most effective ways to address this challenge is by fortifying livestock enclosures, whether through wire fencing, predator-deterrent lights, or strengthened traditional structures. Herder in the field with his livestock Fortification of livestock enclosures A recent study led by Lion Landscapes confirmed that fortified livestock enclosures significantly reduce predation, and not just for the households that build them. They also create a spillover effect , lowering attacks in neighbouring households without fortifications. This reinforces their value not just as a household-level solution, but as a wider community asset. We have a slightly different approach to this in each landscape we work in, tailored to needs: Ruaha: While few new structures have been added in recent years, Ruaha now has a well-established network of hundreds of wire-fenced enclosures. This long-running programme has enabled in-depth studies showing reductions in livestock losses of up to 94% in the short term and 60% over the long term . Current efforts focus on maintaining and repairing existing structures so they continue providing reliable protection for households across the landscape. Laikipia:   Here, we work to make fortified livestock enclosures more accessible by reducing the barriers to adoption. This includes partnering with eight local hardware stores to keep material (wire and poles) costs affordable, providing transport assistance, and offering technical guidance during construction. While households still contribute to material costs, these arrangements make enclosures more accessible and easier to build. Live demonstrations on market days further encourage uptake within the communities. Selous-Nyerere:  The approach in Selous-Nyerere is shaped by the constant mobility of the people and the large herd size. Predator-deterrent lights are often the most practical option for pastoralist households. Community outreach events share best practice for use and maintenance and emphasise benefits beyond reduced predation, notably improved personal safety and better sleep quality. By lowering the practical costs of coexistence , these interventions make living alongside large carnivores safer, more manageable, and more sustainable. Top: Fortified livestock enclosures market day demonstration. Bottom left: Lion Extension Officer helping install a fortified livestock enclosure. Bottom right: Herder next to an installed predator deterrent light. Increase the Benefits: Turning Wildlife Presence into Community Value While protecting livestock and reducing risk are crucial, the costs of living alongside lions and other large carnivores can never be fully eliminated. Ensuring that communities share in meaningful benefits  is essential to lasting conservation. Lion Landscapes works to link wildlife presence to tangible, community-defined benefits through our Community Camera Trapping+ (CCT+) programme. How It Works Camera traps are placed across the lands of participating communities to record the presence of large carnivores and other wildlife. Each species is assigned a point value, with endangered and conflict-prone animals such as lions carrying higher values. At the end of each quarter, images are reviewed and points for the wildlife captured on camera are tallied. These points translate into the benefits chosen by the communities themselves, and generally falling under improved healthcare, veterinary care, key infrastructure development or education opportunities. Data-Informed Incentives for Coexistence While points are primarily based on verified wildlife presence, final tallies are adjusted to reflect each community’s specific actions. Conservation-positive behaviours, such as reinforcing livestock enclosures, add points, while conservation-negative actions, such as wildlife poisoning, result in deductions. This system ties not only wildlife presence but also positive conservation action to tangible and much needed benefits for local communities. In this way, CCT+ not only increases community benefits, but also plays a role in stopping the loss and encourages adoption of coexistence cost-reducing interventions. Community-Driven Benefits Each community chooses the benefits most valuable to them, ranging from education support and healthcare supplies to water access and food. This local decision-making ensures that benefits meet genuine needs, adapting as those needs change over time. Knowing that these benefits are linked to wildlife presence and positive conservation action encourages communities to actively participate in coexistence strategies. Recent examples show how communities have used this flexibility to meet urgent needs: Laikipia : after heavy rains, one community prioritised roofing materials. Selous-Nyerere : a pastoralist group chose a three-month supply of veterinary medicines. Ruaha : one community invested in vaccines for a seasonal goat disease (CCPP). Clockwise from the top: Vetenary medicine as CCT+ benefits. Community in Laikpia choosing roofing materials as part of CCT+ benefits. CCT benefits distribution for pastoralists. Health insurance cover as CCT+ benefits. Building a Shared Future By increasing the benefits of living with large carnivores, CCT+ strengthens the foundation for lasting coexistence. Together with efforts to stop the loss and reduce the cost, this approach ensures that conservation is not only about conserving wildlife, but also about creating value for the people who share their lands with them. Looking Ahead: Strengthening What Works Coexistence is not a single action but an ongoing commitment, one that requires conserving wildlife, addressing the challenges faced by communities, and ensuring that the presence of large carnivores brings real benefits. The stories in this edition give an example of what this looks like in practice across the landscapes where we work. The progress we share here is only possible because of the partnerships that sustain it, from local communities and conservation colleagues to donors and government agencies. By working together, we can continue to stop the loss , reduce the cost , and increase the benefits  of living alongside large carnivores, ensuring that both people and wildlife thrive for generations to come. THANK YOU - ASANTE SANA   As always, we thank all our partners and sponsors for their continued generous support and commitment to our work. Stay in touch   You can visit our website and keep up to date on our work and research in Africa by subscribing to our general newsletter. Join us on   Facebook , Instagram ,   and LinkedIn  for recent photos and stories from the field.

Effective conservation starts with understanding what’s happening on the ground. Across Kenya and Tanzania, our teams collect data using camera traps, spoor surveys, conflict reports, and social surveys. In every landscape where we work, field data helps us identify key threats to large carnivores, highlight where conservation efforts are most urgently needed, and assess how well those efforts are working. Whether tracking carnivore populations, monitoring conflict, or supporting community benefits linked to wildlife presence, this information ensures our decisions are grounded in reality. It builds trust and enables us to act with clarity and accountability. By combining traditional knowledge, local experience, and scientific methods, we are better equipped to respond to emerging challenges. This month, we’re sharing insights from the field, insights that are already shaping our conservation priorities and supporting long-term coexistence between people and large carnivores. Team preparing a camera trap site in Laikipia: briefing rangers and marking the GPS coordinates Monitoring Carnivores in Laikipia In Laikipia, our team in collaboration with conservancies and private ranches, launched a large-scale camera trap survey as part of a long-term study on large carnivore populations. The aim is to map species presence (occupancy) and estimate population sizes (density) for lions, leopards, hyaenas, and their prey.  The study spans diverse landscapes, including private conservancies, community lands, and ranches, where people and wildlife interact every day. In February, 120 camera traps were deployed across 60 paired stations in eastern Laikipia, including in Lolldaiga Conservancy, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Borana Conservancy, Maiyanat Community Conservancy, and Ole Naishu Ranch. Camera placement was closely coordinated with conservancy teams, with rangers providing essential support throughout. Overcoming Challenges, Generating Insights The team checked the cameras approximately every three weeks, often facing access difficulties and occasional equipment tampering by people and elephants! Despite these challenges, the survey has recorded important sightings of lions, hyaenas and leopards across multiple sites. Camera traps operate day and night, offering a non-invasive method to monitor wildlife without disturbance. This is particularly valuable for shy, nocturnal, cryptic, or otherwise elusive species. The findings will be shared with participating conservancies to support data-driven management and planning. Left: Meeting with the Ole Naishu conservancy team. Right: Team setting up camera-traps in Laikipia Informing Action and Incentives As the survey expands to other parts of Laikipia, the growing dataset will allow us to track long-term trends in carnivore populations. If declines are detected, the data will guide further research and targeted conservation action. Robust population data also underpins nature-based income streams. For example, it helps verify standards in our Lion Friendly livestock certification scheme, demonstrating that producers are meeting key sustainability criteria and following practices that support coexistence with wildlife, including lions. Over the next two years, this dataset will also inform the development of a combined carbon and biodiversity credit, where healthy lion populations serve as a key ecological indicator. We thank Emily Madsen of Oxford University for her collaboration on this survey, including her continued research on smaller carnivore patterns within the same dataset. We are also grateful for the funding and support provided by the UK Government through the Darwin Initiative, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, and Lion Recovery Fund. Community Camera Trapping in Ruaha Our Community Camera Trapping + ( CCT+ ) programme involves community members in setting and managing camera traps to document wildlife that might otherwise go unseen. While the community benefits of this programme remain central and have been featured in previous newsletters, this update focuses on what the cameras themselves are revealing. Alongside lions and leopards, the cameras have recorded elusive  species such as the striped hyaena and even a Temminck’s pangolin , both rarely seen. These records deepen our understanding of local wildlife using community land. Left: CCT image of a Striped hyaena. Right: CCT image of a Temminck's pangolin. What the Cameras Are Telling Us 13 villages in the Ruaha landscape are currently participating in CCT+. The data from these community camera traps show variation in how often certain species are detected. The graph below illustrates this for a few key species. It’s important to note that these cameras are not deployed as part of a formal survey design. As such, the data cannot be used to infer population sizes across the wider landscape. However, when placed consistently over time, they offer useful insights into which species are using village land and how frequently they appear. We are grateful to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Lion Recovery Fund, Foundation Segré, and Tusk for their continued support of the CCT+ programme. Graph showing wildlife detection on CCT camera. Selous–Nyerere Surveys: Collaborative Insights into Carnivore Populations In the Selous–Nyerere landscape, Lion Landscapes has contributed to two recent collaborative studies that expand understanding of large carnivore populations in this ecologically significant area. These efforts reflect a shared commitment among conservation scientists, government agencies, and NGOs to strengthen the evidence base in regions where large-scale ecological data has historically been limited. Study 1: Spatially Explicit Density Estimates for the Selous-Nyerere Lion Population Conducted by Lion Landscapes, WildCRU, and Tanzanian conservation authorities, this study assessed the status of lions across the Selous-Nyerere ecosystem . Over three dry seasons (2020–2022), 638 camera traps were deployed across more than 8,000 km², resulting in the identification of 118 individual lions. Analysis of the images allowed researchers to estimate lion population densities across seven survey areas. Densities varied across sites, with higher numbers in areas with greater prey availability. In contrast, zones near protected area boundaries showed signs of human impact, including bush meat snaring and intentional poisoning. Based on these findings, the team developed targeted recommendations to strengthen conservation efforts in vulnerable areas. These have been shared with key stakeholders, including protected area management authorities (TAWA and TANAPA) and the national wildlife research institute (TAWIRI), and are now being implemented as part of a long-term monitoring and conservation programme. Study 2: African Wild Dog Distribution in the Selous–Nyerere Landscape Although the Selous-Nyerere ecosystem is recognised as a stronghold for the endangered African wild dog, the population has not been formally studied since the 1990s. A recent paper, led by Singira Ngoishiye Parsais, Head Ecologist for Selous at the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA), helped address this gap. Using joint surveys from 2020 to 2022, with Lion Landscapes playing a central role in data collection, researchers identified  222 individual wild dogs  through focal monitoring. The estimated density was two adult or yearling wild dogs per 100 km² across the surveyed areas. This is a promising figure, particularly in light of global estimates placing the total number of remaining wild dogs at fewer than 6,500 . These findings confirm that the Selous-Nyerere ecosystem continues to be a vital stronghold for the species in Africa. The research team is now advancing focused conservation strategies, including long-term monitoring, targeted collaring, and intensive field tracking in areas where human pressures pose significant risk. Left: Camera trap image of a male Lion. Right: Camera trap image of an African wild dog Why These Studies Matter These studies demonstrate how camera trap surveys can generate valuable insights in remote landscapes. Beyond updating our understanding of lion and wild dog populations, the findings inform land management, conservation planning, and discussions around sustainable hunting limits. By helping fill major knowledge gaps, this work is building a stronger evidence base for the conservation of Africa’s large carnivores. These surveys were funded by Wildlife Conservation Network’s Lion Recovery Fund, the UK Government through the Darwin Initiative Capability & Capacity fund, WWF Germany, and the National Geographic Society Big Cats Initiative. Looking Across Landscapes From the conservancies of Laikipia to the community lands of Ruaha and the vast expanses of Selous-Nyerere, our surveys highlight the breadth of landscapes in which we work and the diversity of conservation challenges we face. Despite these differences, one factor remains consistent: reliable field data enables meaningful conservation action. Tracking whether large carnivore populations are stable, thriving, or declining is a key indicator of how well conservation efforts are working. This evidence shapes our strategies, supports targeted responses, and strengthens partnerships. It also reinforces systems like our Community Camera Trapping + programme, Lion Friendly Livestock certification, and the developing Lion Custodian Credit, where data translates into tangible benefits for people living alongside wildlife. At Lion Landscapes, we believe that lasting conservation depends on evidence. That’s why we prioritise consistent, collaborative monitoring across all our landscapes. It allows us to adapt to emerging challenges, improve outcomes, and support sustainable coexistence between people and large carnivores. Thank you to all our collaborators, partners, and supporters who make this work possible. THANK YOU - ASANTE SANA - ZIKOMO KWAMBILI   As always, we thank all our partners and sponsors for their generous and committed support. Stay in touch   You can visit our website and keep up to date on our work and research in Africa by subscribing to our general newsletter. Join us on   Facebook , Instagram ,   and LinkedIn  for recent photos and stories from the field.

Conserving Large Carnivores Through Community Partnerships At Lion Landscapes, sharing knowledge is at the heart of our work. Through daily community engagement, practical training, and applied research, we work alongside local partners to co-develop conservation solutions that are informed, inclusive, and effective. This month, we’re sharing highlights from our outreach work with community partners across Tanzania and Kenya—showing how community-led action is supporting coexistence with large carnivores and other wildlife. Wildlife Clubs: Expanding Conservation Education to Reach More Communities The Wildlife Clubs initiative was launched last year in Tanzania’s Selous-Nyerere landscape to deepen the engagement of primary school students in conservation education. These clubs help children learn about their local environment and the role of wildlife—building understanding of ecosystems and inspiring the next generation of conservation advocates. Following the success of the Wildlife Clubs in Selous-Nyerere, we are now expanding the programme to the Ruaha landscape. In April, we trained primary school teachers from five Wildlife Clubs in Selous-Nyerere, using a ‘teach the teachers’ approach that equips educators with the skills and materials to lead conservation lessons independently within their schools. The Ruaha team also travelled to Selous-Nyerere to benchmark the training as they prepare to roll out the model in their landscape. “This journey was not just about training—it was about building a network of passionate individuals committed to protecting wildlife and the environment. With collaboration from educators and conservationists, the future of the Wildlife Club programme looks promising.”  — Nyangeta , Research Assistant, Lion Landscapes This year, we’ve also introduced waste management lessons into the Wildlife Club activities, showing how reducing litter can help prevent human-wildlife conflict and support healthier communities. Teachers took part in practical sessions making dustbins from recycled plastic bottles—a skill they will now share with their students, with schools competing to develop the best waste management initiatives. Left to Right: Teachers and Lion Landscapes staff and teachers participating in the practical activities of the training. Poison Prevention: Working Together to Reduce Threats to Wildlife and People Poisoning remains one of the most devastating threats to large carnivores, vultures, and many other species. Often used to retaliate against livestock losses or protect crops, poison can kill dozens of animals in a single incident—and also risks harming people and the wider environment. Through our poison prevention training, we work with communities to share practical, evidence-based alternatives and create space for open conversations about conflict reduction. This month, we held a training session in Ngorongo, Selous-Nyerere, with 26 participants from both pastoralist and non-pastoralist backgrounds. The session encouraged peer-to-peer learning, with participants sharing valuable knowledge and ideas. One attendee spoke about using cow dung for crop storage as a natural method to deter pests, while others highlighted the importance of well-built livestock enclosures to reduce attacks from carnivores. These exchanges help identify locally appropriate solutions that work for people as well as wildlife. Left to Right: Poison Prevention training in sessions and training participants. CoPro Training: Engaging Rangers and Community Members Our CoPro (Coexistence and Protection) Training  reflects the evolution of what was formerly known as the Lion Ranger Programme. While the original programme focused on conflict mitigation and predator ecology training for rangers employed by partner conservancies, the scope has now expanded significantly. CoPro Training equips a broader range of people—including herders, livestock supervisors, and non-ranger personnel—with the skills and knowledge needed to mitigate conflict and promote coexistence across different landscapes. This name change acknowledges that successful coexistence requires the engagement of everyone who shares space with large carnivores—not just rangers. The programme now serves conservancies, private ranches, and community lands, responding to the growing demand for practical, low-cost, high-impact training that supports both people and wildlife. In April, our team led a multi-day CoPro Training in Mukutan and Mugie Conservancies in Laikipia, with sessions covering large carnivore ecology, predator identification, and realistic strategies for reducing conflict. Training included practical advice on recognising predator kill signs, staying close to livestock when grazing in dense bush, making noise to deter predators, and regularly counting animals to avoid losses. The outreach also featured a community DVD night, where footage of lion behaviour sparked valuable discussions and improved understanding of predator movements. With over 6,000 cattle currently leased for grazing in Mukutan Conservancy, these sessions are both timely and impactful. Follow-up visits with herders show positive feedback and a growing willingness to put this advice into practice. Left to Right: CoPro Training in Mugie and Mukutan Conservancies respectively. Drums, Dancing, and Dialogue: Connecting Through Conservation Celebrations Community celebration remains one of the most powerful ways to share conservation messages and strengthen relationships. In Ruaha’s Magombwe village, we held our first Lion Defenders dance event with the growing Sukuma community. The turnout was excellent, with enthusiastic participation and lively performances. After the entertainment, the Lion Landscapes team facilitated a conservation discussion—providing an opportunity for the community to share feedback and raise questions, including requests for more frequent updates on carnivore presence in grazing areas. Local Lion Defenders were on hand to explain how these interventions are prioritised and accessed. Meanwhile, in Ndundunyikanza village in Selous-Nyerere, a Lion Extension Officers dance event brought together elders, women, and young people at a local homestead. Invited Sukuma dancers joined the celebrations, helping to build unity between the Barabaig and Sukuma communities while amplifying the conservation message through shared culture. Dancers in action. Looking Ahead As we look to the months ahead, Lion Landscapes is focused on expanding and deepening conservation awareness efforts across the Ruaha, Selous-Nyerere, and Laikipia landscapes.  Catch up on our previous monthly updates  to learn more on how each piece of our work connects to drive lasting positive impacts for people and wildlife. Help Make Large Carnivore Conservation Valuable to Local Communities Your support enables us to co-develop practical, evidence-based approaches with local communities, which help reduce conflict, protect livelihoods, and create an easier future for both people and wildlife. 📩 Join us—share, follow, and stay connected.

Lion captured by community camera trap in Magombwe, Ruaha, contributing to the village's earned benefits. Conservation cannot succeed in isolation—it must be valuable to local communities. At Lion Landscapes, we are committed to ensuring that large carnivores bring tangible benefits to the people who share their landscape. Our Community Camera Trapping (CCT)  and Community Camera Trapping+ (CCT+)  programmes continue to demonstrate how conservation-driven incentives provide tangible benefits for local communities. CCT rewards villages for the presence of wildlife recorded on camera traps, while CCT+ builds on this by linking benefits not only to wildlife presence but also to conservation-positive actions and reducing conservation-negative activities. By ensuring that benefits are tied to both wildlife presence and responsible conservation behaviours, these programmes help make coexisting with large carnivores more valuable to communities.  This month, we share how communities in Tanzania and Kenya are investing their conservation earnings into long-term development while embracing new strategies to strengthen their conservation commitments. CCT+ Benefits: Impact Updates  In the Ruaha landscape, 13 villages are engaged in the CCT/CCT+ programme. In Malinzanga village, the first village to transition to CCT+ , a significant step towards improving education access is underway. The village is using its CCT+ benefits to build a new primary school , helping to reduce classroom overcrowding. This addition will bring the total number of schools in the village to four, directly benefiting local children. As part of this project, 34 bags of cement were purchased for construction—demonstrating how conservation incentives can support community development. Left to Right: Community members receiving bags of cement for school construction, and a photo of a spotted hyaena captured by a community camera trap in Malinzanga, contributing to the village's earned benefits. In Kenya, birth certificates are essential for school enrollment   and accessing government subsidies, which help schools provide quality education. However, obtaining birth certificates is often a major challenge for parents, who must undertake long and difficult journeys to the nearest town. Without proper documentation, children face barriers to education, and schools struggle to secure the funding needed to support their students. In the Laikipia landscape, one community used part of their CCT+ benefits to address this issue. We coordinated with government officials to visit the village, allowing parents to submit the necessary paperwork locally. As a result, 85 children received their birth certificates , removing a critical barrier to their education and now these children have the opportunity for full school enrollment. Community members from Morijoh going through the birth certificate acquisition process with the help of the registrar of persons. Besides education, access to healthcare is a key priority for many communities, and CCT+ is helping to support this need in the villages we work with in the Selous-Nyerere and Ruaha landscapes. Since January 2024, over 6,500 individuals have been enrolled in the   Community Health Fund (CHF) as part of their benefits from CCT+, ensuring access to essential medical services. The CHF programme provides its community members with free medical treatment, covering services such as doctor consultations, laboratory tests, and essential medications. Villagers in the Selous-Nyerere landscape receive CHF health cards, providing them with access to basic healthcare services at local facilities for a year. By linking wildlife presence and conservation-positive actions to tangible community benefits, such as education and healthcare, the CCT+ programme demonstrates how conservation incentives can contribute to local well-being. Further Reading: Understanding Human-Wildlife Conflict Conflicts over wildlife vary widely—not just in terms of direct impacts but also in how people perceive and respond to them. Levels of Conflict Over Wildlife: Understanding and Addressing the Right Problem  explores the different layers of conflict, from disputes over livestock losses to deeper tensions tied to history, identity, and values. The paper points out that addressing human–wildlife conflicts without good insight into the   levels   and   causes   of conflicts not only fails to resolve them, but can potentially exacerbate the situation. These insights help inform approaches to conservation that go beyond mitigation to address underlying social dynamics. 🔗   Read more about this research here At Lion Landscapes, we recognise the importance of addressing conservation challenges through   partnerships with the communities living alongside wildlife . An integrated and holistic approach is crucial for tackling conservation challenges as complex and dynamic as wildlife conflicts. As we continue to refine our strategies, scientific insights like these help inform our work, allowing us to adapt and innovate for more effective conservation outcomes . Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support helps us create conservation solutions that benefit both people and wildlife. If you'd like to stay involved, share this update, follow us on social media, and help spread the word about the importance of coexistence! 📩 Stay connected and support community-centred conservation.

For pastoralist communities, livestock is incredibly important—it represents their bank account, security, and livelihood. Yet, living alongside large carnivores, especially lions, can be a constant challenge. These predators are among the most difficult species for humans to co-exist with, capable of wiping out a family’s wealth in a single night, let alone the risk of having your family member injured or even killed. This kind of conflict is highly damaging for local people, and also leads to high levels of preventative and retaliatory killing, so is one of the key threats driving carnivore declines.  In Morijoh, Laikipia, one pastoralist lost multiple goats to hyaenas in just one week. Facing repeated losses, he needed a solution—and quickly. Across Laikipia, similar challenges play out daily as communities strive to protect their livestock. At Lion Landscapes, we work with pastoralists to help implement practical, evidence-based strategies that reduce conflict, help secure livelihoods, and improve the outlook for the long term human-wildlife coexistence. Strengthening Livestock Enclosures, Protecting Livelihoods Left to Right: Livestock enclosure reinforced traditionally and livestock enclosure reinforced with wire. After the second attack, Lion Extension Officers (LEOs) worked with the affected household to compare the cost of investing in more secure materials against the financial and emotional toll of ongoing losses. With their guidance, this pastoralist reinforced his traditional livestock enclosure using triple-twist wire and treated fence poles, significantly improving its security. Noticing that neighbours had already upgraded, he did not want to be the weak link in his community’s defences. “If I keep losing goats, what do I have left? This is my family’s future.” — Pastoralist, Morijoh. During the same visit, we observed a nearby homestead using a multi-layered approach to protection. The family combined strong wooden boards, wire, thorn brush, and predator deterrent lights (distributed at a recent Morijoh CCT+ benefit event). They also devised a homemade wind-powered noisemaker —showing how multiple strategies can reduce the likelihood of predator incursions. This served as a reminder that no single intervention is foolproof, but a combination of reinforced livestock enclosures, deterrent lights, and community-led innovations can greatly diminish predation risks. Reducing Livestock Losses = Reducing Retaliation Against Carnivores Protecting livestock is not just about safeguarding livelihoods—it is also about minimising retaliatory actions against large carnivores. Every prevented attack lowers the chance that a pastoralist might resort to poisoning or hunting lions, hyaenas, and leopards, which can have devastating impacts for multiple species (including vultures) in one event. Still, reinforced livestock enclosures alone will not guarantee the conservation of large carnivore populations. More sustainable co-existence calls for a multi-pronged approach, including: Community buy-in and collaboration  – so local families remain committed to maintaining and improving protective measures. Tangible benefits from wildlife  at the household and community level – so people see real gains, not just fewer losses. Broader conservation strategies  – for instance, predator deterrents, financial incentives, and field-based monitoring that adapt to local conditions. Much remains to be done, and reducing livestock depredation is only part of the bigger picture. Addressing Practical Challenges Left to Right: Installation of fortified livestock enclosure and an enclosure protected using predator deterrent lights. 1. Improving Predator Deterrent Lights   Predator deterrent lights have proved highly beneficial for pastoralists, particularly in areas where livestock enclosures are temporary or herd sizes vary. However, in the Selous/Nyerere landscape, around 30% of these lights have failed prematurely—leading to frustration, increased costs, and potentially a drop in trust regarding options suggested by conservation groups. We have identified a potentially more reliable supplier in Kenya and are trialling lights that we hope will be much more durable. 2. Securing High-Quality Wire for Reinforced Livestock Enclosures Market shifts in Tanzania have made it difficult to source high-tensile wire, which was once readily available. Direct imports may be necessary to maintain the quality needed for livestock enclosures. We are also exploring more cost-effective alternatives so communities can continue building or upgrading their enclosures securely. Evaluating Impact: New Lion Landscapes Research in Ruaha Map showing Tanzania's Ruaha landscape. A recent study in Tanzania’s Ruaha region highlights how reinforced livestock enclosures help reduce human–carnivore conflict: 94%  decrease in livestock predation in the short term. 60%  reduction over the longer term. Up to 8:1  return on investment for households when enclosures are subsidised. The study finds that regular maintenance and community support are critical for lasting effectiveness. This finding aligns with Lion Landscapes’ experiences—multiple lines of defence, including reinforced enclosures and predator deterrent lights, can help minimise livestock losses and encourage a more positive outlook on large carnivore conservation. Read more about this research here . Looking Ahead: A Broader Approach When lights fail or materials are scarce, Lion Defenders (LDs) and LEOs focus on strengthening existing livestock enclosures and recommending practical interim solutions: “While reinforced livestock enclosures and deterrents are essential tools, conservation cannot succeed on technical solutions alone. Real change happens when communities take ownership of protecting their livestock. Financial investment is only part of the equation—local leadership and engagement are just as critical to long-term success.” — Alayne Cotterill, Joint CEO, Lion Landscapes Although reinforced livestock enclosures and deterrent lights can reduce conflict now, securing large carnivore populations in the longer term relies on broader strategies—such as economic incentives for communities and ongoing field monitoring to adapt our methods as local needs evolve. Catch up on our previous monthly updates  to see how we are helping to tackle challenges across various landscapes, and what comes next in our work to ensure a future where both local communities and wildlife can flourish. Help Make Large Carnivore Conservation Valuable to Local Communities Your support enables us to co-develop practical, evidence-based approaches with local communities, which help reduce conflict, protect livelihoods, and create an easier future for both people and wildlife. If you'd like to stay involved, share this update, follow us on social media, and help spread the word about the importance of coexistence! 📩 Join us—share, follow, and stay connected.

The African wild dog ( Lycaon pictus ) is one of the world’s most endangered carnivores. Although reliable information is lacking for most populations of the species, the latest estimate places its total population at approximately 6,600 adults in 39 subpopulations ( Woodroffe & Sillero-Zubiri, 2020 ). The Selous-Nyerere landscape in Tanzania is thought to be home to one of Africa’s largest remaining populations of wild dogs, as part of the transboundary Selous-Niassa population which spans southern Tanzania and northern Mozambique. The Selous wild dog population was the focus of the first in-depth study of wild dog behaviour and ecology in the 1990s ( Creel & Creel, 2002 ), but received little to no research attention in the subsequent 25 years. Since 2020, we have been working to get a handle on the current status of this population as part of our wider large carnivore monitoring & conservation programme in Selous Game Reserve and Nyerere National Park. Through a combination of camera trap and spoor surveys across the nearly 50,000km2 landscape – an area larger than Switzerland – and in-depth discussions with Tanzanian collaborators from protected area management authorities TAWA and TANAPA, we have been able to start building a picture of how wild dogs are currently faring in the ecosystem. Our findings show that Selous-Nyerere should still be considered a wild dog stronghold, with the area’s size and intactness making it an ideal home for this particularly wide-ranging species – Selous Head Ecologist Singira Ngoishiye Parsais (TAWA) will soon be publishing these findings as part of his Master’s research. However, the stark reality is that this population is threatened by a number of growing human impacts: habitat conversion in buffer zones is reducing the habitat available to wild dogs and their prey, while bushmeat poaching is suppressing prey populations and impacting wild dogs directly through snare injuries. There have also been cases of poison being intentionally used to kill wild dogs, which can wipe out many members of a pack in one fell swoop.  Wild dogs are facing a number of threats in Selous-Nyerere, including increasing encounters with humans (left) and injuries and death caused by wire snares used for bushmeat poaching (right). These threats and the ecosystem’s importance for the species spurred us to intensify our efforts to monitor and conserve Selous-Nyerere’s wild dogs. In 2023, we began a programme to collar wild dogs in the northeastern part of the landscape, with the goal of improving our understanding of how these animals are moving and dispersing through areas where they are most at-risk. To date, we have collared seven wild dogs across four packs and one dispersing group. Movements of GPS collared wild dogs in Selous Game Reserve and Nyerere National Park. While all of these collars are collecting valuable data, there are two cases that have given us particularly interesting insights. The first is the Kibesa female , a young wild dog collared in August 2024 who is part of a dispersing group of four females. The collaring team with the Kibesa female, a member of a group of dispersing females who was collared at the northern boundary of Selous Game Reserve in August 2024. As you can see in the map below, in mid-October the Kibesa female suddenly travelled a very long way out of Selous, halfway to the Indian Ocean. We were concerned that something might have been wrong given the sudden movement out into unprotected land, including a point right next to a major road, but she soon headed back into the reserve. This journey took her a straight line distance of 123 km from where she was collared. Movements of the Kibesa female from 31 August to 21 November 2024. These kinds of long jaunts are not uncommon for dispersing wild dogs, who are looking to establish a new pack. Unfortunately, because these movements often take them into areas with higher levels of human impact, dispersers are particularly vulnerable to injury or death. Previous research in Kenya found that dispersers experienced a daily mortality risk three times that experienced by adults in resident packs ( Woodroffe et al. 2019 ), while research in southern Africa found human-caused mortality to be responsible for more than 90% of deaths among dispersing wild dog groups ( Cozzi et al. 2020 ). Another interesting case is the Mtemere pack , who were first collared in June 2024. After denning in the main tourist area of Nyerere, the pack moved out of the national park and into unprotected village land – the area where our team is working to monitor and mitigate conflict – in September. Wild dog movements often change a lot once their pups are old enough to leave the den and travel with the rest of the pack; as this litter was born in mid-June, they were around 5 months old at the time the pack relocated. The Mtemere pack, whose range overlaps with the main tourism area in northern Nyerere National Park. The male in the foreground was collared one week after this sighting. Movements of the two collared individuals in the Mtemere pack from 13 June to 21 November 2024. The Lion Landscapes team worked very hard to keep an eye on the Mtemere pack while they were outside the park, including by sending Lion Extension Officers to help people strengthen their livestock enclosures and educate them about the dangers of using poison. This on-the-ground support was instrumental in helping this pack survive its time away from the protection of the park, before they moved back inside in November. As we move into 2025, we are hoping to continue our wild dog programme through continued collaring and follow-up monitoring through collaborations with Frankfurt Zoological Society, TAWA, and TANAPA, which we will use to understand more about this important population and help inform protection activities. Two people who are key to this plan are Singira Ngoishiye Parsais and Leonard Haule, who have both been important members of our carnivore survey teams since 2020. Master’s student and Selous Head Ecologist Singira taking ID photos of members of the Namanyunyu pack in eastern Selous. As Head Ecologist of Selous with TAWA, Singira has more than ten years’ experience working in the reserve, and his detailed knowledge of the landscape has been a huge strength for our work. Inspired by his passion for wild dogs, Singira embarked on his Master’s last year with the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Tanzania, with the support of a WCN scholarship. Singira’s research has included an assessment of the species’ population status, household surveys to understand community attitudes towards wild dogs, and a remote sensing assessment of habitat conversion around the boundary of Selous. Together, this work represents a huge step forward in our understanding of wild dogs and their threats in Selous-Nyerere. Leonard Haule is a researcher with the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), and began his PhD studies in late 2024 at Washington State University in the US. Tapping into Leonard’s expertise in genetics, one aspect of his research will be an assessment of the genetic health of the Selous-Nyerere wild dog population using samples collected during collaring and follow-up monitoring, which he will hopefully be able to compare to the historical data from Creel & Creel’s seminal 1990s study. He will also be using the collar data to understand the species’ ranging behaviour and movements, which together with the genetic research will provide valuable insights into connectivity. This work has been made possible by funding from the UK Government through the Darwin Initiative Capability & Capacity Fund, WWF Germany, Wildlife Conservation Network’s Lion Recovery Fund and Zoo New England. Financial and logistical support has been provided by Frankfurt Zoological Society through the Selous Ecosystem Conservation and Development Project funded by the United Republic of Germany through the German Development Bank (KfW). Stay in touch   You can visit our website   and keep up to date on our work and research in Africa by subscribing to our general newsletter. Join us on Facebook , Instagram , X  and LinkedIn  for recent photos and stories from the field.

Welcome to 2025! As we kick off the new year, we’re excited to bring you updates from the last quarter of 2024. This newsletter includes highlights from all landscapes we work in, including survey plans for Laikipia and strengthening conservation leadership in Tanzania. We look back on 2024 and invite you to explore our 2023/24 Impact Report to see how your support drives meaningful change for wildlife and communities.  This year, we’re changing how we connect with you to keep you more informed and involved in our work. Our newsletters will now be monthly, offering timely updates and fresh insights into our efforts. In the coming weeks, you’ll receive a survey asking for your thoughts on how we can improve—your honest feedback will help us better serve you and ensure transparency. You are our biggest supporters, and your voice helps us shape a better future for conservation. Capacity Building: Strengthening Conservation Leadership Veterinary Training In collaboration with the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), Lion Landscapes hosted a Wildlife Veterinary Training at Tarangire National Park in November 2024. This training was an opportunity for Tanzania’s wildlife veterinarians to come together to share their experiences, exchange ideas, and try out new technologies and techniques. Led by experienced trainers Dr. Jacobus Raath and Dr. Chris Smith from Wildlife Vets in South Africa, the programme focused on wildlife immobilisation techniques, combining theoretical sessions with practical fieldwork. Participants included 24 Tanzanian veterinarians and veterinary assistants from institutions such as TAWIRI, Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), and Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA). During the training, the participants worked together to immobilise various species including zebra, buffalo, lion, wildebeest, elephant, and giraffe. Recognised by the Veterinary Council of Tanzania (VCT) and awarding Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points, the training supports ongoing professional growth and strengthens the country’s wildlife veterinary network. Tarangire National Park, with its exceptional biodiversity and accessibility, provided an ideal setting for this impactful training, underscoring the importance of safeguarding Tanzania’s natural heritage. Wildlife Veterinary Training at Tarangire National Park in November 2024. Wildlife Monitoring Training Lion Landscapes, in partnership with the University of Dar es Salaam, conducted immersive training sessions on three key areas: wildlife monitoring, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and camera trap survey and data management. This programme engaged university students and faculty, building essential skills in survey design, camera trap deployment, and data analysis. Designed to be highly interactive, the training encouraged active participation, allowing students to ask questions and engage with the material and trainers. For many undergraduate participants, it was their first exposure to camera traps. As a result, the training was structured as a gradual knowledge exchange exercise, ensuring that foundational concepts were clearly explained and understood. These hands-on experiences and skills are vital for equipping the next generation of conservationists to tackle biodiversity loss and develop innovative coexistence strategies. Beyond technical training, participants explored the ethical dimensions of conservation through discussions on balancing ecological priorities with the needs of local communities. Wildlife Monitoring Training sessions at the University of Dar es Salaam. By combining practical skills with meaningful discussions, the programme empowered participants to become informed and effective leaders in conservation efforts. We extend our gratitude to the Darwin Initiative Capability & Capacity programme and the Lion Recovery Fund for their invaluable support in making these trainings possible. Ecological Surveys: Collecting Evidence for Conservation Understanding the impact of our conservation activities is critical to ensuring the long-term success of our efforts. Through ecological monitoring, we gather essential data that informs conservation strategies and helps track progress over time. Future Kenya Surveys: Monica Ngasike, a Research Assistant with our Kenya team, built on her training at the University of Dar es Salaam by attending an ecological survey workshop led by our Data Manager, Joseph Francis. This training will help guide the Kenyan team to implement future ecological camera trap surveys in the Laikipia Landscape. By learning advanced techniques for survey grid design, camera deployment, and data analysis using tools, Monica gained practical skills to adapt proven methodologies from the Selous-Nyerere landscape to the unique challenges of Laikipia. The training underscored the importance of standardising methodologies between project sites, ensuring consistency and comparability in data collection and analysis. Effective survey techniques are essential to ensure that the data collected contributes meaningfully to conservation planning. The lessons Monica learned will not only enhance the Laikipia survey but also promote cross-team collaboration, ensuring that knowledge, methodologies, and successes are shared across landscapes.  We extend our heartfelt thanks to Oxford’s WildCRU Inclusivity Accelerator Fund  for making this vital training possible. Monica Ngasike, a Research Assistant with our Kenya team, participated in a training on ecological surveys led by our Data Manager Joseph Francis in Selous-Nyerere. Selous-Nyerere Surveys: As we prepare for the upcoming Laikipia ecological monitoring survey, we are proud to report the success of our most extensive survey yet in eastern Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania. Conducted in collaboration with the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA) and funded by the Lion Recovery Fund, NAWIRI, Zoo New England and WWF Germany, the 2024 camera trap survey saw the deployment of over 116 paired camera trap stations across more than 2,500 square kilometres, building on previous data collected in the area in 2021. The data from this survey will allow us to track trends in the population densities of lions, leopards, spotted hyaenas, and African wild dogs, while also helping us gain insights into prey populations and threats. Our teams will be processing the thousands of images collected over the coming months and working with protected area managers to plan conservation actions based on our findings. Left: Field team preparing camera traps for the Selous-Nyerere survey. Right: Lion captured on a camera trap during the survey in Selous-Nyerere. This research not only informs our conservation strategies but also contributes to global knowledge about large carnivore populations in critical landscapes. Ruaha Surveys: Long-term ecological monitoring in the Ruaha-Rungwa landscape has been a cornerstone of our conservation efforts for many years, leading to numerous important publications  and critical insights into large carnivore ecology across the region. A recent study  from the Ruaha landscape revealed that spotted hyaenas may be less resilient to human disturbance than previously thought, challenging earlier assumptions about their adaptability to environmental pressures. This research highlights the importance of sustained, long-term monitoring in refining our understanding of how species respond to human-induced changes in their habitats.  Left: Spotted hyaena captured on a camera trap. Right: detail of camera trap grids in (1) the core tourist area of Ruaha NP, (2) Ruaha NP miombo woodlands, (3) MBOMIPA WMA and (4) Rungwa GR. Protecting Wildlife from Poisoning Frustrated by the loss of livestock—their primary source of income—pastoralists sometimes resort to poisoning as retaliation against large carnivores. In East Africa, poison is readily available, inexpensive, and often seen as a quick fix. However, its impact is far-reaching and indiscriminate, claiming the lives of not only predators but also vital scavengers such as vultures, along with other wildlife. This practice threatens ecosystems and biodiversity, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and sustainable conflict mitigation strategies. Laikipia Lion Extension Officers Lead the Way In October, our Lion Extension Officers (LEOs) in Laikipia participated in a specialised poison awareness training facilitated by The Peregrine Fund. The Peregrine Fund have been giving this training to local communities and our teams in Laikipia since 2018 emphasising the ecological and health risks posed by poisoning, and equipping LEOs and Lion Rangers with the knowledge to effectively communicate the dangers of poisoning to both human health and wildlife, and reduce the impacts of poisoning events when they do occur. Poison awareness training builds awareness about the broader impacts of poisoning and encourages safer practices that benefit people and ecosystems alike. This works in concert with joint efforts to protect livestock from predation - the main cause of poisoning - by sharing knowledge on how to build predator resistant livestock enclosures, and making the materials for these enclosures available at affordable prices in remote communities. By giving community livestock owners the knowhow they need to protect their livestock from predation, and the awareness to protect their families and environment from poisoning, this training helps reduce poisoning incidents. Additionally, through empowering LEOs to act as frontline responders when poisoning events do occur, Lion Landscapes and The Peregrine Fund help prevent these events from escalating, reducing the losses of large carnivores and other scavenger species, including vultures. Lion Extension Officers at the Poison Awareness Training event in Laikipia. Community Awareness in Southern Tanzania In southern Tanzania we collaborate with North Carolina Zoo (NCZ), to deliver and develop poison awareness training for community members. Recently, we developed and piloted a new curriculum in Ruaha, allowing participants to practice and apply what they learned in a real-world setting.  As in Laikipia, the training provides communities with alternative, sustainable methods to protect their livestock, reducing reliance on poisoning. This approach highlights the interconnectedness of human livelihoods and ecosystem health, encouraging safer practices that benefit both.  Poison Awareness Training events in Ruaha and Selous-Nyerere. Using Tagged Vultures as an “Eye in the Sky” As part of our collaboration with North Carolina Zoo, Lion Landscapes has also supported the expansion of the “Eye in the Sky” programme, which uses vultures equipped with satellite trackers to monitor poisoning incidents, specifically on community land. In 2024, seven vultures in Ruaha and five in the Selous-Nyerere landscape were fitted with trackers, enabling the detection of smaller poisoning events that might otherwise go unnoticed.  These tagged vultures help identify potential poisoning sites by clustering around carcasses. When such clusters are detected, Lion Defenders and Lion Extension Officers (LEOs) are deployed to investigate the scene. If poisoning is confirmed, they can rapidly decontaminate the area to mitigate further harm. Early tracking data has highlighted critical vulture feeding areas and potential poisoning hotspots, honing swift ground responses by our Lion Defenders and Lion Extension Officers, and reducing wildlife casualties. White-backed vulture movement maps in Ruaha (left) and Selous-Nyerere (right). Wildlife Clubs: Inspiring the Next Generation In the Selous-Nyerere landscapes, five new wildlife clubs were launched in 2024, engaging over 350 students from primary schools. Teacher-led sessions provided hands-on education about wildlife conservation and coexistence strategies. At the end of the school term students were assessed on what they had learnt in the wildlife clubs and the top-performing schools were rewarded with resources and a trip to Nyerere National Park, offering students an immersive experience to connect classroom lessons with real-world conservation. These clubs not only educate but also empower students to become ambassadors for conservation in their communities, creating a ripple effect of awareness and action. In Ruaha we continued running the Wildlife club at Mlowa Secondary School. One of the highlights in 2024 was Talent Day, where the students celebrated conservation through art, music, and performance. Students highlighted the importance of biodiversity and received certificates commemorating four years of active engagement.  This initiative, supported by Phoenix Zoo, has fostered a new generation of conservation advocates committed to protecting their natural heritage. By integrating cultural expression with conservation education, the programme has helped bridge traditional knowledge and modern conservation practices. Wildlife Club at a Park Trip in Selous-Nyerere (left). Wildlife Club at a talent day in Ruaha (right). A Look Back on 2024 Key Metrics and Impact Key statistics from our 2023-2024 Impact Report Explore our 2023/24 Impact Report to learn about the achievements of our teams, partners, and supporters - https://www.lionlandscapes.org/impact-report As we move into 2025, your support remains vital. Together, we can drive forward impactful conservation initiatives, ensuring a sustainable legacy for generations to come. Here’s to another year of progress and collaboration! THANK YOU - ASANTE SANA - ZIKOMO KWAMBILI   As always, we thank all our partners and sponsors for their generous and committed support. Stay in touch   You can visit our website and keep up to date on our work and research in Africa by subscribing to our general newsletter. Join us on   Facebook , Instagram ,   X   and LinkedIn  for recent photos and stories from the field.