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Livestock are important food, economic, and status sources for many people in Africa who, to protect their livelihood, sometimes resort to shooting or poisoning lions. Poison is equally efficient at indiscriminately killing not only lions, but other predators like hyenas and jackals as well as the scavengers that feast on their remains. In response to predator poisoning, LPP has worked with the Kenya Wildlife Service Veterinary Unit to reduce easy access to strychnine (previously distributed to control domestic dogs) as they search for causes and solutions to problem lion behavior. LPP has also developed a highly effective improvement to a traditional method of housing livestock to keep them safe from predator attacks.

A "boma" is an enclosure made of thorn bushes used by both traditional pastoralists and commercial ranchers to fence in their livestock overnight. Losses occur when lions circle the bomas, unsettling the cattle and causing them to stampede out. The LPP's Predator Conservation Officer (PCO) teaches herders how they can improve bomas by surrounding them with inexpensive wire mesh and attaching a solid gate at the entrance, thus protecting their livestock from lions. Community Liaison Officers (CLO) employed by the Laikipia Wildlife Forum Ltd., a wildlife management association of local ranchers, farmers and tourism venues seeking to protect Laikipia's wildlife biodiversity, have helped the PCO build 60 demonstration bomas that were placed on 15 ranches in northwestern Laikipia. CLOs also play a critical role in educating communities about the importance of conserving carnivores for the ecosystem as well as for ecotourism. Pastoralist communities in Laikipia are increasingly interested in developing ecotourism, thus are willing to implement herding practices that will encourage wildlife - including lions, which attract some 80% of tourists.

Through our financial support of the Laikipia Predator Project, the Philadelphia Zoo helps to fund the Predator Conservation Officer position and a portion of the Community Liaison Officer salaries. The Zoo also provides funds for radio collars, aerial tracking and supplies needed for LPP research activities. Finally, the Zoo supports refinements to the design and construction of bomas, a project so successful that it is being expanded to include all of Laikipia and the neighboring Samburu District. Chris Waldron, Philadelphia Zoo assistant mammal curator, has already made two trips to Kenya to assist in all aspects of the Laikipia Predator Project - from building demonstration bomas to anesthetizing and radio tracking lions.

The Zoo will continue to help fund LPP, and to supplement it with staff participation in the field and with the development of educational materials. In addition, Bank of America Big Cat Falls introduces Dr. Frank's work in the Laikipia District of Kenya to more than one million visitors; featuring video clips, signs, games, and artifacts designed to help our guests understand the project and what they can do to make a difference.

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