Lion watching

Masai Mara is world famous for its beautiful Big Cats. The Mara Predator Project invites our guests to participate in its research program to actively monitor and protect the lions of the Mara North Conservancy

Karen Blixen Camp supports the Mara Predator Project to allow identification and monitoring of the lion population of the Mara North Conservancy. Mara Predator Project involves guides and guests in its predator research program; guests are provided with a simple lions’ research packet and will, in the event of observation of lions, take photos and note down data as pride name, number of members, individuals, health status and habitat area where the family was spotted.

Back at the camp, guests can upload their lion photographs and search the online database to try and identify which lions they have seen.  Project booklets include information on how to photograph lions so that they can be correctly identified - each submitted photograph is an essential tool for the program. The data is used to monitor trends and shift in the population, which allows us to apply effective conservation techniques.
 

The Mara Predator Project

The Mara Predator Project is run by Living with Lions in Mara North Conservancy. The project was initiated by Living With Lions and Serian Camp in July 2008, and is run by Sara Blackburn. Living with Lions works throughout rangelands of Kenya to try and prevent conflict between people and wildlife, and thus prevent retaliatory killings of lions and other predators. To visit the online database and for more information on Living With Lions and the Mara Predator Project, please visit www.livingwithlions/mara.org.

Several of our Karen Blixen Camp safari guides have received extensive training in lion identification and reporting by Sara, and have been approved to assist and report sightings to the central database. You can also follow the lives of our study lions through theblog at www.marapredatorproject.blogspot.com. It's a perfect way to continue your safari back home!