FUNDING PROPOSAL Boma Predator Deterrent: population monitoring education & awareness capacity building www.lionalert.org
Executive Summary ALERT is seeking funding to cover the costs of two lighting systems for the Hwange Communal Lands in Zimbabwe, with the aim of reducing incidents of livestock predation by resident lion populations. As the human population of Africa continues to increase and available natural habitat shrinks, wildlife and communities are forced to cohabit, often within close proximity. Many species, including lions and other predators, are in direct competition with people for land and resources and are consequently being pushed to the edge of extinction. An innovative solution which uses flashing lights to deter lion attacks on livestock has been developed and ALERT now urgently needs funding to allow this system to be installed and for an on-going program to monitor its effectiveness to be carried out. Through this project, ALERT aims to: Reduce lion predation incidence upon community livestock; Monitor and measure the effectiveness of lighting system upon deterring lion predation; Determine behavioural impact upon predating lions; Improve community perception and tolerance of lions, and; Improve livestock husbandry practices. Budget Need 10 x motion camera traps and batteries 2,620 10 x 16GB SD memory cards 140 2 x handheld GPS units 252 1 x laptop 1,000 4 x cell phones 30 2 x boma lighting systems 400 Fuel costs for one year 2,800 Total (USD) 7,242 Cost (USD)
Background Information Human-lion conflict issues are widespread across Africa. With an increasing lack of prey availability and suitable habitat, lions have become a health and safety hazard to many rural communities through the killing of livestock and/or injuring or killing people. As a result, lions are viewed as dangerous pests and are destroyed through retaliatory killings or by Problem Animal Control departments. In Kenya alone, an estimated 100 lions are killed on average every year in retaliatory killings by locals; a rate of execution that has resulted in the estimated extinction of Kenya s lions by 2018. As lions frequently roam into human settlement areas at night to prey upon enclosed livestock, the design of bomas (animal enclosures) is a key aspect to preventing attacks. However, it has been proven that lions can penetrate a vast variety of boma wall types and are able to scale often inadequately built structures. An innovative solution to this problem has come from a Kenyan directly impacted by this problem. In 2010, an 11 year-old Kenyan boy, Richard Turere from Kitengela, created his own method of protecting his family s boma from lion attacks at night. Rather than strengthening the boma walls, Richard used a handful of torches, a second-hand car battery and a small solar panel to create a flashing light system around the boma perimeter. Knowing that lions are naturally wary of people, he designed the lights to flash in sequence, giving the impression that someone was patrolling the enclosure with a torch. In the two years since installing this system, Richard and his family have reported no further lion attacks. In 2012, Kenyan-born Sandy Simpson created a modified version of the existing lighting system and began to install it within those communities most threatened by lion attacks. To date, Sandy has successfully installed 34 units around Kenya, with all communities so far reporting no further lion attacks. It is hoped the system will be used continent-wide to successfully reduce lion attacks on bomas and therefore improve community tolerance of predators. ALERT is now working in conjunction with Sandy to install two lighting systems in the Monde community of Hwange Communal Lands in Zimbabwe, where livestock predation by lions is a frequent problem. Although no further incidents of lion attacks have been reported in the communities already using the lighting systems, a lack of post monitoring research upon their effectiveness currently exists. It is anticipated that the units installed in Zimbabwe will provide crucial data regarding how successful the lights are at deterring predators and also a clearer insight into why the system is proving to be so successful.
Program Aims Reduce lion predation incidence upon community livestock; Monitor and measure the effectiveness of lighting system upon deterring lion predation; Determine behavioural impact upon predating lions; Improve community perception and tolerance of lions, and; Improve livestock husbandry practices. 1. Incident monitoring With the assistance of community members and livestock herders, an incidence database will be created and maintained to monitor all lion-livestock issues in those focus communities. Community members and livestock herders will be provided with thorough training to record relevant data to be input into the database during monthly visits. 2. Behavioural study Using motion sensor camera traps, footage will be gathered of those lions approaching lit bomas. Their movements and behaviour whilst approaching and remaining in the vicinity of the bomas will be studied and analysed to determine the extent to which the flashing lights directly impact and deter predatory behaviour. 3. Husbandry practices With the assistance of community members and livestock herders, husbandry practices will be reviewed and improved to help prevent further livestock predation upon bomas within areas without the lighting system and to help minimize grazing impact upon the surrounding habitat. 4. Community perception Relevant community members, leaders and livestock herders will be encouraged to partake in a questionnaire to determine community perception of lions. Questionnaires and group meetings will be conducted and held during intervals throughout the study to monitor any improvements in perception following an anticipated decrease in lion attacks resulting from the installation of the boma lighting systems. Challenges and Needs Statement Current challenges faced in achieving the project s aims include a lack of technical equipment to improve efficiency, the impact of the project and the quality of the data collected as well as insufficient funds to cover basic expenses. As a result of this funding, the major restrictions and challenges that the project currently faces will be lifted. The immediate needs are as follows: 1. 10 x motion camera traps and batteries 2. 1 x laptop 3. 2 x handheld GPS units 4. 4 x cell phones 5. Fuel costs for one year 6. 2 x boma lighting systems
Personnel A locally employed ALERT researcher working alongside community members and leaders will oversee the project. The researcher will visit the communities and study sites on a weekly basis to gather camera trap footage and incident reports. The installation of the lighting systems will be overseen by Sandy Simpson and data gathered upon their effectiveness against predation and upon lion behaviour will be shared with him by ALERT. Time Line The project will be undertaken for a minimum of two years. This time scale will allow for sufficient data to be gathered determining the extent of lion-livestock attacks in the area and the effectiveness of the lighting system in deterring lions. Monitoring and Evaluation A defined monthly reporting system will ensure that research is closely monitored and that the project s objectives and outcomes are met. Accountability Monthly reports compiled by the ALERT appointed researcher and research department will be shared with and communicated to all relevant parties and authorities to monitor progress and findings. Quarterly meetings with community members and leaders will act as both forums for discussion upon progress as well as feedback opportunities.
Budget Need Cost (USD) 10 x motion camera traps and batteries 2,620 10 x 16GB SD memory cards 140 2 x handheld GPS units 252 1 x laptop 1,000 4 x cell phones 30 2 x boma lighting systems 400 Fuel costs for one year 2,800 Total (USD) 7,242
Find your pride! If you would like to discuss this proposal with us, or request proposals to support our many other programs, please contact us at info@lionalert.org You can make a donation to support this vital effort via: 1. ALERT offers a secure online donation system in multiple currencies. This service is provided through an intermediary to offer you further piece of mind that ALERT has undergone due diligence to ensure your donation is used for charitable purposes. 2. The simplest form of making a donation with the least charges to ALERT for accepting your donation is by bank transfer using the following banking details through your online banking system or by contacting your local branch. If you would like to give regularly you can also establish a standing order for your desired amount. Pound Sterling (GBP) account: African Lion and Environmental Research Trust United States Dollar (USD) account: African Lion and Environmental Research Trust Lloyds TSB Bank Wells Fargo Bank NA 32 Oxford Street 1560 Van Ness Avenue London W1D 1AX San Francisco CA 94109 United Kingdom United States of America Account Number: 03482258 Account Number: 6327069958 Sort Code: 30-98-71 Routing Number: 121042882 BIC No: LOYDGB21006 SWIFT Number: WFBiUS6FFX IBAN No: GB10LOYD30987103482258
HEAD OFFICE African Lion & Environmental Research Trust Melrose Farm 1134 Nakatindi Road PO Box 60701 Livingstone Zambia E: info@lionalert.org W: www.lionalert.org African Lion & Environmental Research Trust (UK) 39 St. James s Place London SW1A 1NS United Kingdom UK Charity Commission Number 1120572 African Lion & Environmental Research Trust (USA) c/o William D Evers 1725 Clay Street STE 100 San Francisco CA 94109-8805 501 (c)3 status with EIN: 45-3782687 Public charity status: 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) African Lion & Environmental Research Trust (Zambia) c/o 3/J/297A Leopards Hill Road P.O. Box 32322 Lusaka Zambia Zambia Charity Registration Number ORS/102/35/3583 African Lion & Environmental Research Trust (Zimbabwe) c/o Coghlan, Welsh & Guest 3 rd Floor, Executive Chambers 16 George Silundika Avenue Harare Zambia Zimbabwe Protocol No 68 MA82/2008