Poisoned Lions and the Ongoing Conflict

By now many have heard about the 8 lions from the Marsh pride who have been poisoned in Kenya’s Masai Mara. Two have lost their lives with the others still in critical condition. The KWS vets are doing all they can to help the lions recover.

However, it is very clear to see that the lions have been poisoned due to land conflict with the Masai. Every night, the Masai herd thousands of cattle into the National Park. While this is illegal the Masai do feel the land is theirs and they should be entitled to use it as they desire. They were roaming the lands long before it became established as a National Park.

The problem with this is simple: overgrazing. The impact the livestock are having on the land is absolutely incredible – not in a good way. The management of the Mara needs to be addressed. The Masai need to feel that they can benefit from Tourism, and as it stands, they don’t.

For a true inside perspective on what is happening in the Mara please read Jonathan & Angela Scott‘s blog.

Unfortunately, it’s not just happening in the Mara – it’s happening all over Africa. In September, I drove from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, entering at the Boundary Hill gate on a road I haven’t personally driven for years. I had heard about the impacts of overgrazing from friends and our guides but to see it first hand shocked the socks off me. It was still dry from the lack of rain but the land was totally bare, and the erosion was on another level. There were deep gullies from where the previous season’s rains had carved it’s way through the soil – with no vegetation holding the soil together the ground gets carved up like butter.

And still, at every bend, herds and herds of goats, sheep, cattle fill the area all the way up to the park boundary.

As the population races out of control people need to adapt. Cultures and traditions need to evolve. It’s not going to work if everyone continues to try and live in the past.

The world of the future is smaller than ever and we must all make sacrifices to allow space for our fellow mankind.

Education is the key.

The whole world needs to understand that each and every single one of us needs to do their part.

Every single one of us can make a difference.