Maasai Olympics: Ending Lion Killings In Kenya

It’s not often that zero is the highest mark of achievement.

In this case, zero is the magic number.  

In 2018, for the second year in a row, zero lions were killed in violation of Big Life Foundation’s Predator Compensation Fund (PCF). This number represents an extraordinary accomplishment in an ecosystem where humans and wildlife are in daily competition for limited resources, with less and less space to share.

In addition to the PCF, which helps to reduce the motivation for retaliatory killing in response to livestock depredation, this success can also be attributed to several factors such as Big Life’s Maasai Olympics, which has helped replace the long-held Maasai tradition of lion hunting, as well as Big Life’s close coordination with the local community and ecosystem partners like Lion Guardians and Kenya Wildlife Service.

The reward for this hard work? Lions, like the one pictured above, peacefully relaxing on the open plains. A sight that was virtually nonexistent not so long ago.  

As the lion population in the Greater Amboseli ecosystem continues to grow, Big Life is dedicated to ensuring our predator protection work continues to earn high marks. And in doing so, our hope is that lions are forever a part of East Africa’s treasured landscape.

Thank you to our donors and partners for being part of the solution to save these iconic cats.  

Recently, on December 15^th, Maasai warriors from across the Greater Amboseli ecosystem came together to compete in a day-long sports competition: the 4th Maasai Olympics Finals.

The games represent a history-changing shift from killing to conservation. At the behest of the the Menye Layiok, or Maasai “cultural fathers,” Big Life Foundation established this organized sporting event in 2012 based on traditional Maasai warrior skills to replace the long-held tradition of hunting lions as a mark of manhood, bravery, and prestige.

In an ecosystem where the local lion population was once virtually extinct, to have Maasai warriors competing for medals instead of hunting lions is nothing short of revolutionary.

As with past Maasai Olympics Finals, the day was filled with excitement, tension, and joyous energy:

The high amount of rainfall received in the lead up, although incredibly welcome, meant that the event itself was uncertain. Team selections this past spring had to be delayed due to rain, but would the season end the same way? In the end, the weather cooperated right until the finish of the last event, when everyone had to dash for cover to escape getting drenched.

By then however, the four teams had established their spot on the score board. Athletes from Mbirikani, Eselengei, Kuku, and Rombo Group Ranches, both men and women, brought their best for a series of competitions that were all hotly contested.

The final event, the high jump, is always the highlight of the day, and this year was no exception. Heading into it, the top two teams, Mbirikani and Kuku, were tied for first place. From a standing position, the warriors defied gravity jumping higher and higher, until ultimately the prize went to Mbirikani for an unbelievable height of over 9 feet.

And thus, Mbirikani’s team won the day, taking home the prize bull and top honors for a third time. They had lost to Rombo in 2016 and were elated to take their title back.

Rombo Group Ranch did take home the Chester Zoo Conservation Prize, for a year where no lions were killed on the ranch, and for not retaliating against an elephant that had tragically killed a man earlier in the year.

The games were overseen by the event’s patron: gold medal Olympian, 800m world-record holder, and fellow Maasai, David Rudisha.

There is another winner of these games. The lion population in Big Life’s area of operation continues to grow, with some of the largest prides of lions recorded in years.

Through initiatives like the Maasai Olympics, our hope is that both local communities and lion populations continue to win – now, and far into the future.    

The success of the Maasai Olympics was only possible because of our wonderful partners, sponsors, and friends.

Thank you, as always, for your support to make this life-saving conservation work possible!