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Born Free is introducing its tried and tested ‘predator-proof bomas’ following on from the success of the reinforced livestock enclosures that are used in the Pride of Amboseli programme to reduce human-carnivore conflict.

Since 2002 the African lion population is estimated to have declined by 36% in its historical ranges. In Kenya lion numbers are estimated to be 2,600, down from around 10,000 lions in the 1970’s and 80’s (although happily there are signs that the population is starting to increase again).

One of the threats to lions is retaliatory and pre-emptive killing of lions by pastoralists due to livestock predation. The boma programme is designed to safeguard the local community’s main source of livelihood, livestock, and in turn diffusing predator conflict and protecting lions. Since 2010 over 400 predator-proof bomas have been constructed in the Amboseli-West Kilimanjaro ecosystem with an estimated efficacy of 91% in reducing livestock predation at night.

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