We're boosting the co-existence of humans with wild lions
Just a century ago, the world was home to over 200,000 lions. Today, numbers have plummeted to just 23,000. In Kenya, the country’s lion population has shrunk to just 2,500. As agricultural land expands and urbanization encroaches on their habitat, lions are pushed closer and closer to human settlements. This proximity frequently leads to fatal conflict.
The mission
Human settlements like farms and homesteads are a huge temptation for hungry lions, who often prey on livestock at night. This has led to retaliation by farmers, who are trying to protect more than just their livestock—they’re trying to protect their livelihoods. For the Maasai, cattle are more than just animals; they are a cornerstone of their culture, providing food and income, and fulfilling important cultural and spiritual roles. When Richard Turere was just 12 years old, he realized the attacks on the lion population needed to stop, so he came up with a smart and harmless way to protect his family’s livestock.
Richard’s invention is called “Lion Lights,” which uses flashing lights to mimic a human with a flashlight moving around in the dark. It turned out to be an incredibly effective way to deter the lions. Today, over 14,000 homes across Africa use Lion Lights to protect their livestock, and with help from the Planet Wild community, the project has grown even bigger. Together, we have funded the maintenance of the existing Lion Lights, as well as 3,000 new installations, and educated communities about the importance of coexisting with wildlife.
What we achieved
Ideal outcome
Our Partner
Richard Turere is an inventor from Kenya who grew up as a Maasai cattle herder near Nairobi National Park. At 12 years old, he created Lion Lights, a clever way to protect his family’s cows from lions. Since then, his invention has helped people and wildlife live peacefully together not only in Kenya but also internationally. He has shared his idea on the TED Global Stage and earned many awards for his work.
Our Partner
Richard Turere is an inventor from Kenya who grew up as a Maasai cattle herder near Nairobi National Park. At 12 years old, he created Lion Lights, a clever way to protect his family’s cows from lions. Since then, his invention has helped people and wildlife live peacefully together not only in Kenya but also internationally. He has shared his idea on the TED Global Stage and earned many awards for his work.