CFACT is back in Africa continuing its longtime project to protect lions while simultaneously making the lives of African ranchers better. CFACT provided critical resources to 20 bomas (traditional cattle enclosures) in the village of Sinya, Tanzania.
CFACT has had a long-term project that installs lights on the perimeter of cattle grazing land. These lights flash in such a way that they keep the lions away from the cows, which are a major investment for the locals. Historically, when their livestock have come under attack, the owners will retaliate against every lion pride in the region, greatly hurting the ability of these majestic felines to maintain their population across the continent. It is important that we protect these “kings” as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature lists the African Lion as vulnerable, and in some parts of the continent, they are even listed as critically endangered.
Patricia Vaughn, with whom CFACT partners to implement our African operations, recently found a new option to further protect the rancher’s animals. Patricia said, “We had complaints about cows being grabbed by lions while grazing [outside of the lit enclosures], so I had stamps made here, and they copied them in W. Kilimanjaro. We bought amazing paint in Arusha for the cows. It actually worked!!!! More cows need to be stamped but it’s a beginning. Lions won’t attack while anything is looking at them.”
More lights are on order and expected to arrive on the continent soon. Many of these lights will be brought to new villages that CFACT has not yet had the opportunity to visit in the past.