Celebrating World Lion Day

by Ali Allport

August 10 is designated as World Lion Day and it is a relatively new event designed to celebrate Lions globally.

As community and conservation manager at The Safari Collection, I spend most of my time thinking or talking about lions and the importance of lion conservation but realise that many people around the world are probably unaware that the global lion population is in worrying decline. A hundred years ago we think there were over a million lions. Today it is estimated that there are between 20,000 or 35,000 lions on this planet and fewer than 2,000 lions left in the wild in Kenya. This is such a sad fact.

Yet most visitors that come to Kenya come to see the big cats (especially the lion) so it is important to all of us that work in tourism in Kenya that we try our best to protect these creatures from extinction. At The Safari Collection, we focus most of our community and conservation efforts on big cat conservation and have carefully chosen projects that support this (such as Ewaso Lions). Founded in 2007 by Shivani Bhalla, Ewaso Lions is a grass roots project focusing on lion preservation through community awareness programs and conservation education. Their solutions are founded on traditional cultural practice and embrace local knowledge.

lion blog image

Yesterday whilst on holiday in USA, I was reminded how it doesn’t matter where you are located in the world to help conserve these big cats. I met up with Steve and Van Thanhauser (clients who had stayed at Sasaab in 2009) and owners of the world famous Angus Barn Restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina. Over dinner I learned that all waste meats products from The Angus Barn go to support a rescue center for Big Cats called the Conservators’ Center. All left overs are removed from the plates by the dishwashers and put into buckets and frozen. Weekly they are delivered to the Conservator Center, where abused and neglected carnivores are rescued. They told me a story about one male lion that lost his mane after severe abuse but now after a diet of Angus Beef he is sporting a beautiful new mane!! After eating there last night I can see why – the food was amazing!

Steve and Van were horrified to learn that there are only 2000 lions left in the wild in Kenya. So in recognition of World Lion Day this weekend we are posting a blog on all three websites to raise awareness of the plight of these magnificent creatures and to urge people to help in what ever way they can.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

THE SAFARI COLLECTION prides itself on creating amazing tailor made safari holidays and in tandem, has established a comprehensive programme of Community and Conservation projects in the areas around their properties.

For more information on helping with any of the projects mentioned in this article please contact:

Alison Allport – ali@thesafaricollection.com

For more information on our partners please visit:

EWASO LIONS

ANGUS BARN RESTAURANT – www.angusbarn.com

CONSERVATORS’ CENTER – www.conservatorscenter.org

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