Front cover
Enjoy a summary of KopeLion’s 2022 – a busy and constructive year, enabling pastoralists and lions to coexist in Ngorongoro.
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Kope Lion
KopeLion Inc. (short for Korongoro People’s Lion Initiative) is a non-profit NGO registered in USA and in Tanzania. Our mission is to foster human-lion coexistence through participatory research and sustainable community-based conservation.
Meet Ilchokuti: Ndelelya Olepesai![]()
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Ndelelya is a proud family man who wanted his portrait taken in front of his home with his family. This photo was captured around the time his wife had just given birth to their newborn, who was resting safely inside.![]()
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He joined KopeLion when the legendary lion Laipangwa began appearing in a new area near the Olbalbal swamp. With many people and livestock living in this region, Ndelelya took on the important role of custodian to help ensure harmony between lions and the community.
A mother’s gentle grip.![]()
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Lionesses often carry their cubs by the scruff of the neck, using a special instinctive grip that doesn’t hurt them. The cub’s body goes limp, making it easy for the mother to move her young safely between hiding spots.![]()
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In the wild, this behaviour is essential for keeping tiny cubs out of danger until they’re old enough to join the pride.![]()
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📷: @bobbyjophotography ![]()
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#KopeLion #LivingWithLions #LionBehaviour #Ngorongoro #Coexistence
Building stronger bomas, building coexistence.![]()
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In the Ngorongoro region, KopeLion works with local communities to reinforce traditional livestock enclosures, known as bomas. Strengthening these enclosures helps protect livestock from predators and reduces conflict between people and carnivores.![]()
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Every reinforced boma means fewer losses, safer livestock, and stronger coexistence between lions and the people who share the landscape with them.![]()
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📷: @bobbyjophotography
