Kope Lion

SMART, ODK and KoBo training started this week for six of our Ilchokuti and Coordinators to trial collecting our field data digitally. After years of pen and paper forms, it will be interesting to see how this works. While always exciting and inspiring for our team to keep learning, we're hoping this allows us to measure our impact better. Thanks to @daudimolel for your patience in setting everything up and training. #kopelion #ngorongoro #ngorongorolions #ngorongoroconservationarea #lionconservation #lionrecoveryfund #Nabu

When KopeLion found that people were planning to attempt a lion hunt they requested a meeting with the traditional elders, leaders and warriors in Esere. Roimen, our Lion Conflict and Monitoring Officer was there. All agreed that traditional hunting would not be condoned in this area and this was to be upheld by not only KopeLion, but by everyone! #ngorongoro # kopelion #lionconservation #humanlioncoexistence #lionrecoveryfund

Collaring lions involves a skilled team and tools to check the lion is safe and unharmed, to secure the collar and ensure it functions and to carry out a general health check while the lion is immobilised. In Lemunge's case, his cleft palate was discovered and the unusual growth of his teeth. Luckily it hasn't stopped him from enjoying a life well lived. #kopelion #lionconservation #ngorongorolions #ngorongoro #ngorongoroconservationarea

Lemunge the magnificent! Now 7 years old and at the height of his prime. Due to his malfunctioning collar, Lemunge was recollared last week, thanks to @dm_wambura and team and it gave us a chance to catch up with him. Lemunge, originally from the Crater has settled for times in Ndutu, near the Laitolia Museum and most recently, Esere. A typical male, changing locations and females! He's still with one of his brothers and also with a female from the Lakes pride in the Crater, LK124. Using the data from Lemunge's collar provides an early warning of his presence for herders, helping to prevent conflict, and livestock and lions safe. #kopelion #ngorongoro #ngorongoroconservationarea #lionconservation #ngorongorolions #humanwildlifecoexistence

KopeLion Newsletter March 2021 - https://mailchi.mp/609d38a5b/kopelion-newsletter-march-2021 Enjoy catching up with what we've been up to in the last few months. If you haven't already, sign up for our quarterly updates on www.kopelion.org

Ndolok Kilitya, our Ilchokuti coordinator got a report from the community in a place called Lemuta, part of his zone and an area where a few years ago they killed many lions in traditional hunts. We are now seeing that the community are starting to understand the work KopeLion does. On this day the community phoned Ndolok about the presence of the lions - instead of killing these lions they called Kopelion to identify them! Roimen Lelya (Lion Monitoring and Conflict Officer) found they were lions from Serengeti. #ngorongoro #kopelion #serengetilion #Serengeti #ngorongoroconservationarea #lionconservation

Kalamas is a lion remembered fondly. A beautiful black maned male from Mwiba he wandered into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area a couple of years ago and KopeLion helped to keep tracks on him. He was unmistakeable when seen and luckily much preferred a diet of wild animals to livestock. He has returned to Mwiba but we still hear news of him. Oloirobi village asked us for a photo of him to put on their wall. Here our (office administrator )Lilian Lepere hands over the photo to Barnoti Olemoko he is the village chairman #kopelion #Ngorongoro #ngorongoroconservationarea #ngorongorolions #kalamas

Together with the Range Wide Conservation Program for Cheetah and African Wild Dogs this last week we conducted four workshops bringing together Maasai communities, Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority rangers and Kope Lion Ilchokuti (Lion/Livestock Custodians) thanks to all for their combined efforts and very productive discussions to identify best local practice and locally-relevant solutions for herding and protective enclosures, both old and new, for coexisting with carnivores. Many thanks to @AsiliaGiving and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation (HGBF) for funding. #kopelion #rangewideconservationprogramme #Ngorongorolions #Ngorongoroconservationarea #asiliagiving

Co-existence work and monitoring lions needs a strong team behind it. Our team love to keep learning and our partners in conservation are always incredibly supportive and helpful. This week Retilda, our Household and Logistics Coordinator, has had the chance to learn about stores management in Arusha with thanks to Asilia Africa.for #kopelion #asilia #ngorongoroconservationarea #ngorongoro

A sad day for Tanzania. RIP President Magafuli #ripraismagafuli

After a long stay without being seen, the famous lion 'Laipangwa' who spends most of his time living in the community lands of Ngorongoro was seen again after some great work done by Roimen Lelya our Lion Monitoring and Conflict Officer who spent the whole night tracking him. Roimen was finally able to see Laipangwa at midnight with 5 female lions who are from one of the lion prides in Ngorongoro Crater, and 9 cubs of different ages. Thanks to Safina Conservation for sponsoring Laipangwa's collaring. Photo Credit: Roimen Lelya. @jameswelchlions #kopelion #ngorongorocrater #ngorongoro #ngorongorolions #safinaconservation

Kopelion Ilchokutis' every day duties of protecting lion and livestock in their areas, also include assisting the community with injured livestock. They treat all livestock that are injured by carnivores, not only the lion attacks. Most livestock that are treated by Ilchokuti recover well, and the communities appreciative this contribution towards making living with lions easier. In 2020 the total number of animals they treated was 878. Photo credit Damian Bell. #Kopelion #Ngorongorolions #Ngorongoro #Ngorongoroconservationarea

Never a dull moment in Ndutu! How would you caption this fantastic footage from the Twin Hills pride? Credit: Rob Barbour Ndutu Safari Lodge #NdutuSafariLodge #KopeLion #Ngorongoro #NgorongoroLions