What Ewaso Lions does

Ewaso Lions is an independent, 100% Kenyan nonprofit wildlife conservation organization founded in 2007 by Dr. Shivani Bhalla. The organization is registered as Ewaso Conservation Company Limited in Kenya and operates across a 4,530 km² landscape in Samburu, Isiolo, and Laikipia Counties, spanning three national reserves (Samburu, Buffalo Springs, Shaba) and 11 community conservancies. Its mission is to conserve lions and other large carnivores by promoting coexistence between people and wildlife in a context where Kenya's lion population has fallen below 2,500 individuals and the broader African population has declined 43% over 20 years.

Ewaso Lions runs an integrated portfolio of five community programmes (Warrior Watch, Mama Simba, Lion Kids Camp, Jeremy Lucas Education Fund, and Kura's Pride) that engage warriors, women, children, and students in conservation, alongside three applied research programmes (Lion Population Monitoring, Lion Dispersal Research, and Human-Carnivore Conflict Research) that generate data to inform management. Its technology stack is field-based: GPS-enabled lion collars, the SMART patrol platform, Esri Survey123 for structured field data, and Google Earth for habitat monitoring. Lions are individually identified by whisker spot patterns, and the team has grown the monitored population from 11 to over 50 individuals since 2003.

The business model is donor-funded: revenue comes from individual donations, legacy/planned gifts, M-PESA mobile money, and grants from a diversified base of major US and international zoos (Houston, San Diego, Cheyenne Mountain, Oakland, Auckland), conservation foundations (Whitley Fund for Nature, WCN, Blue Foundation, Great Plains), and corporate and family donors (Fahlo, Norvig Family, Silicon Valley Community Foundation). The Wildlife Conservation Network serves as US fiscal sponsor, with 100% of donations through WCN flowing directly to Ewaso Lions. The organization employs 14 core staff (with broader community-based teams of warriors, women, and camp support), has a permanent field camp in Westgate Conservancy completed in 2015, and reaches donor audiences primarily through earned media (National Geographic, BBC Earth, Financial Times) rather than paid advertising.

Name

Ewaso Lions

Legal name

Ewaso Conservation Company Limited

Website

https://ewasolions.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ewaso Lions is an independent, 100% Kenyan nonprofit that conserves lions and other large carnivores in northern Kenya by running community-led coexistence programmes and applied research across 11 conservancies and 4,530 km², funded by zoos, foundations, and individual donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Services

akta.pro primary industry

Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Health & Conservation Disease Management (HLAMAJAM), Animal Health Emergency Preparedness & Outbreak Response (HLAMAJAD)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation services
• Human-wildlife coexistence
• Lion population monitoring
• Community-based conservation
• Carnivore conflict mitigation

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Ewaso Lions raises funds from individual donors through its website donation portal and the Wildlife Conservation Network platform. Donors can contribute one-time or recurring donations.
2. Institutional Donor Grants: Major donors including zoos (Houston Zoo, San Diego Zoo Global, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Oakland Zoo, Auckland Zoo), foundations (Whitley Fund for Nature, Wildlife Conservation Network, The Blue Foundation, Pettus-Crowe Foundation, Great Plains Foundation, World Women Work, Dentinal Tubules Foundation, Management Skills for Wildlife Conservation), and corporate/family donors (Fahlo, The Norvig Family, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Sharjah Safari, March To The Top, Tropic Air) provide grant funding to support conservation programmes.
3. Legacy Gifts and Planned Giving: Ewaso Lions accepts bequests, gifts through estate plans, and beneficiary designations from forward-thinking donors. Donors can name Ewaso Lions as a beneficiary of their estate, life insurance policy, financial account, or retirement plan through WCN's planned giving programme.
4. Kenya M-PESA Donations: Donations can be made in Kenya via M-PESA mobile money (Paybill number: 542542, Account number: 30166) to the Ewaso Conservation Company Limited.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ewaso Lions delivers community-led wildlife conservation services focused on lions and other large carnivores in northern Kenya. Its core offerings are five integrated community programmes (Warrior Watch, Mama Simba, Lion Kids Camp, Jeremy Lucas Education Fund, Kura's Pride) paired with applied research programmes (Lion Population Monitoring, Lion Dispersal, Human-Carnivore Conflict) that generate data to inform coexistence strategies across a 4,530 km² landscape.

Product overview

Ewaso Lions is a community-led conservation organization offering an integrated portfolio of programs focused on lion and large carnivore conservation in northern Kenya. Its core offerings include five community programs (Warrior Watch, Mama Simba, Lion Kids Camp, Jeremy Lucas Education Fund, and Kura's Pride) that engage warriors, women, children, and students in conservation, paired with applied research programs (Lion Population Monitoring, Lion Dispersal Research, Human-Carnivore Conflict Research) that provide data to inform and guide conservation strategies. Together, these programs work to promote coexistence between people and wildlife across a 4,530 km2 landscape spanning three National Reserves and eleven Community Conservancies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jeremy Lucas Education Fund: Education sponsorship programme for promising students in Samburu and Isiolo counties to attend secondary and tertiary education.

Products and services

• Warrior Watch Community conservation programme that engages Samburu warriors as wildlife ambassadors, training them to monitor lions, mitigate human-carnivore conflict, and spread conservation messages across communities in northern Kenya.
• Mama Simba Women's empowerment programme enabling Samburu women to reclaim their heritage as wildlife protectors through environmental literacy, lion habitat recovery, conservation education, cultural workshops, and income-generating beadwork.
• Lion Kids Camp Five-day immersive conservation education camps for children that combine wildlife safaris, drama, classroom education, and conservation-themed games to inspire the next generation of wildlife conservationists in Kenya.
• Jeremy Lucas Education Fund Scholarship programme providing tuition sponsorship for promising students from Samburu and Isiolo counties to attend secondary school and university, coupled with internship and mentorship links to Ewaso Lions conservation work.
• Kura's Pride Community animal health initiative addressing domestic dog welfare through disease management (vaccinations, population control), emergency treatment, surveillance, and education to reduce human-carnivore conflict and disease transmission to wild carnivores.
• Lion Population Monitoring Formal research study monitoring lion demographics, identifying individual lions by whisker spot patterns, and producing identity profiles to support conservation management of lions in the Samburu-Isiolo ecosystem.
• Lion Dispersal Research GPS collaring research programme to document lion movements across protected areas and community lands, mapping dispersal areas, identifying high-conflict zones, and helping keep herders informed of lion locations.
• Human-Carnivore Conflict Research Research documenting incidents of human-carnivore conflict to measure impact on community livelihoods, developing strategies to prevent attacks, and conducting surveys on community attitudes toward carnivores.

Quantifiable outcome

• Lion population increased from 11 to over 50 individuals in the study area since Ewaso Lions began
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kenya Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenya Wildlife Service is a Kenyan state corporation established in 1989 to conserve and manage Kenya's wildlife. Ewaso Lions works with KWS on lion collaring, conflict response, and broader carnivore conservation coordination across northern Kenya.
• Northern Rangelands TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthern Rangelands Trust is a community conservancy membership organization focused on developing resilient community conservancies that transform lives, secure peace, and conserve natural resources. Ewaso Lions operates within 11 NRT-affiliated conservancies and works closely with NRT on community engagement and conservancy development.
• Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCN is Ewaso Lions' registered nonprofit partner and fiscal sponsor in the USA (a US 501c3 organization ranked #1 on Charity Navigator). WCN provides fundraising infrastructure, donor management, and organizational support. 100% of donations made through WCN go directly to Ewaso Lions. Ewaso Lions was one of the first WCN partner organizations.
• Pride Lion Conservation AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Pride Alliance was founded by six women with proven success leading lion conservation projects across Africa, including Dr. Shivani Bhalla of Ewaso Lions as a founding member. The alliance responds to the sharp decline in Africa's wild lion populations through collaborative action.
• Grevy's Zebra TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrevy's Zebra Trust conserves the endangered Grevy's zebra and its fragile habitat in partnership with communities. Ewaso Lions collaborates with GZT as both organizations work in the northern Kenya landscape with overlapping community conservancies.
• Vet in Wild (Daktari Wildlife Foundation)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVet in Wild (operated by Daktari Wildlife Foundation) provides veterinary support for Ewaso Lions' Kura's Pride programme. They specialize in the 'One Health Approach' improving animal and public health and coexistence between people, livestock, and wildlife using available resources and technology.
• Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWRTI is a Kenyan state corporation established under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act. Ewaso Lions partners with WRTI for research collaboration and alumni from Ewaso Lions' education programme have pursued studies at WRTI.
• Foundation for International Aid to Animals (FIAA)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFIAA is a US-based 501 organization that promotes humane and responsible treatment of domestic animals and advocates natural conservation of wild animals. FIAA supports Ewaso Lions' Kura's Pride domestic animal health initiative.
• Animal Care CentreminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAnimal Care Centre is Kenya's premier animal-related services provider in Nairobi and surroundings. They support Ewaso Lions' Kura's Pride programme with veterinary expertise and animal care resources.
• Community Conservancies (Westgate, Kalama, Meibae, Nasuulu, Nakupurat-Gotu, Il Ngwesi, Leparua, Lekurruki, Nanapisho, Naapo, Nalowuon)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner11 community conservancies across Samburu, Isiolo, and Laikipia Counties are Ewaso Lions' primary operational partners. These conservancies host the lion populations, community members, and landscapes where all Ewaso Lions programmes are implemented.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Northern Rangelands Trust: Kenyan conservancy membership organization supporting 39+ community conservancies across northern and coastal Kenya. Direct peer because it is the umbrella body for the 11 conservancies where Ewaso Lions operates and shares the community-led conservation philosophy and landscape focus.
• Save the Elephants: Samburu and Laikipia-based research and conservation organization focused on elephant survival. Direct peer because it operates in the same northern Kenya landscape, employs GPS collar research methodology analogous to Ewaso Lions' lion collaring, and Dr. Bhalla's prior professional background includes working with Save the Elephants.
• Big Life Foundation: Kenya-based nonprofit co-managing the greater Amboseli and Tsavo-Mkomazi ecosystems with Maasai communities. Direct peer because it pursues community-driven wildlife coexistence in Kenya at a comparable organizational scale and uses ranger-based patrol and human-wildlife conflict mitigation approaches similar to Warrior Watch.
• Kenya Wildlife Trust: Kenya-based nonprofit supporting high-impact conservation science and community initiatives. Direct peer because it funds and partners with field conservation NGOs across Kenya, and shares the community-and-science-led approach; board overlap exists via former Executive Director Dr. Irene Amoke.
• Panthera: Global wild cat conservation organization protecting all wild cat species through field programmes and partnerships. Direct peer because it shares the big-cat conservation focus and operates field programmes in Africa; the Panthera CEO and Ewaso Lions' founder overlap in the global wild cat conservation leadership network.
• Grevy's Zebra Trust: Kenya-based nonprofit conserving the endangered Grevy's zebra through community partnerships in northern Kenya. Direct peer because it operates in overlapping conservancies (e.g., Westgate, Il Ngwesi) and shares a community-engagement, conservancy-based conservation model with Ewaso Lions.
• Mpala Research Centre: Kenyan research center and wildlife conservancy supporting biodiversity research and education in Laikipia. Direct peer because it provides a research and education platform for Kenya conservation, and Ewaso Lions' Operations Director Toby Otieno previously served there as Research Project Field Manager.

Broad incumbents

• Conservation International: Global conservation NGO working on biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development across more than 30 countries. Broad incumbent because it is much larger and broader in scope than Ewaso Lions, but shares the wildlife conservation mission and is a potential institutional donor/partner at the global level.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: Global wildlife conservation and zoo-based organization operating the Bronx Zoo and field programmes in 50+ countries. Broad incumbent because it operates globally and through zoological infrastructure, but shares the mission of conserving wildlife in partnership with communities and is part of the same zoo-philanthropy donor ecosystem.
• African Wildlife Foundation: Pan-African conservation organization protecting wildlife and wildlands across the continent. Broad incumbent because it operates at much larger scale and across many countries, but shares the wildlife-habitat-people conservation mission and works in overlapping East African landscapes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ewaso-lions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ewaso Lions