Lion Lights Invention by 13-Year-Old Kenyan to Save Big Cats?

Posted by Luke Dollar of NG Big Cats Initiative on May 18, 2012
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13-year-old Kenyan innovator Richard Turere saves endangered lions with his lion lights invention.
Video by Paula Kahumbu

In this video report, National Geographic Big Cats Initiative grantee Paula Kahumbu reports on a bright idea by 13-year-old Kenyan innovator Richard Turere to save endangered lions with his “lion lights” invention.

Big Cats Initiative and its grantees have a near-uniform shared theme of conservation via deep engagement with local communities and stakeholders.  The connection between Paula Kahumbu, a BCI grantee and recipient of the National Geographic -Howard G. Buffett Award for African Conservation, and young Richard Turere is a shining of example of how the BCI’s grassroots-based conservation actions collaboratively find and implement the most imaginative, yet simple and effective conservation techniques.

 

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Comments

  1. dmfinpa
    PA
    June 17, 2012, 7:26 pm

    What an outstanding idea! A very innovative approach and a smart lad to come up with it. Implementing ideas such as this that protect agriculture and also address conservation of endangered lions is indeed a win-win. Congratulations Richard!

  2. Harsumit Singh Gill
    Los Angeles
    June 4, 2012, 5:24 am

    Its a great response of people like Richard himself. Folks like him are more energetic and not to ignore, are the future.

  3. yvie
    nl
    June 1, 2012, 5:30 pm

    Good job! although I wonder how simple it can be to save your catle if you do not walk with them in the dark hours as can be seen on the video, it is asking for attacks. No one would jump voluntairly in a lion cage so why not build good fences and make sure that livestock is save in the hours without daylight.

  4. Mary
    South Carolina
    May 31, 2012, 12:31 pm

    Good for Richard, yes; bad for Nat Geo’s big cat project. What are they doing with all the donations people send them if it isn’t to think of solutions like this before almost all the lions have been killed in that area? I’m appalled.

  5. Barbara
    New York, USA
    May 30, 2012, 10:28 pm

    Richard outstanding job. At such a young age, you are making a huge difference in the world. I am so proud of your brillant idea, which will help save the lives of lions, wildstock and people, You are an example for everyone throughout the world to follow and a true hero.

    Now won’t it be great if a manufacturer of the solar lights donated them to our friends in Kenya to truly make a difference?

  6. peter villalobos
    Danville,California
    May 30, 2012, 9:00 pm

    Good boy,Richard Turere.That’s a smart and innovative young man.Do you see what just ONE good idea can do?Unfortunately,I do not see a solution for overpopulation and therefore,encroachment.The building can’t be stopped.I don’t see how.

  7. mindo
    May 30, 2012, 11:21 am

    Atta boy, good job!

  8. Lion Lights Invention by 13-Year-Old Kenyan to Save Big Cats? | REAWR | Big-Cat Conservation
    May 22, 2012, 4:48 am

    [...] Read this post on nationalgeographic.com >> MoreLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. Tags: Africa, Big Cats Initiative, Cattle, Conservation, Kenya, Lions, National Geographic, National Park From: Lions ← Nations United Against China, Vietnam ‘Tiger Medicine’ No comments yet [...]