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KoKo

(84,711 posts) Wed Feb 27, 2013, 11:42 PM Feb 2013

Kenya boy, 13, gains fame for protecting livestock from lions

Kenya boy, 13, gains fame for protecting livestock from lions
By: Pete Thomas, GrindTV.com
Richard Turere, 13, had reason to despise lions while growing up with his family on a ranch in Kenya: The beasts routinely killed their livestock, which he was largely responsible for. Rather than fret, however, the clever boy put his mind to work and devised an invention that not only deters lions, but does so without killing or injuring them.

(Lions, whose numbers have shrunk to an alarming level, are vital to the ecosystem and valuable as a tourist attraction in nearby Nairobi National Park. The park boasts the world's largest concentration of lions, which often perceive livestock on nearby ranches as easy pickings.)

Richard Turere, pictured above with his family's livestock, has gained notoriety for inventing a system that keeps lions at bay. Credit: Afrigadget. Second image shows an African lion, courtesy of Friends of Nairobi National Park. Third image shows Turere speaking at the 2013 TED Conference, a gathering of top innovators

The invention, one what has proved remarkably successful after a series of other experiments had failed, stemmed from Turere's discovery, when he was 11, that lions became skittish at night when people walked around with flashlights.

"I discovered that the lions were scared of the moving light," he told CNN.

He gathered dozens of LED lights and rigged them to a battery and solar panel that powered the family television. He devised a way to make the lights flash and placed the bulbs on poles surrounding the livestock enclosure.

More at.......

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/51172/kenya+boy+13+gains+fame+for+protecting+livestock+from+lions/

5 replies

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Kenya boy, 13, gains fame for protecting livestock from lions (Original Post) KoKo Feb 2013 OP

So inspiriing! BrotherIvan Feb 2013 #1

This is a common occurence in that part of Africa, particularly among the Maasai and Samburu stevenleser Feb 2013 #2

Now looking for Xmas lights to keep the Mt. Lion from my sheep. AnotherDreamWeaver Feb 2013 #3

I wondered if this would work to keep deer out of gardens? KoKo Feb 2013 #4

I have heard folks use sprinklers with motion detectors... AnotherDreamWeaver Mar 2013 #5

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)

1. So inspiriing!

Reply to KoKo (Original post)

Thu Feb 28, 2013, 01:17 AM

Feb 2013

Read the article as it might make you tear up a bit. And I love his use of solar as well. May his future as an engineer and pilot be bright.

stevenleser

(32,886 posts)

2. This is a common occurence in that part of Africa, particularly among the Maasai and Samburu

Reply to KoKo (Original post)

Thu Feb 28, 2013, 01:30 AM

Feb 2013

I was in Kenya and Tanzania two years ago on Safari. My guides were mostly Maasai men but some were Samburu. They all explained that in that culture, boys from ages of 10-14 guard the livestock at night from predators. One guide told me his first confrontation with lions was when he was 10 years old. He was alone guarding his family's flock late at night when a pride of 30 lions appeared heading towards the livestock. out in front was a large lioness. She walked right up to within about 20 feet of him, trying to assess whether he was scared or going to run. He threw his club at her but missed, and then drew his knife, which in reality is most of the way to the size of a sword, I bought one and had it shipped back. After about 2 minutes of growling and snarling at him, the lioness, turned back and headed away and took the rest of the pride with her.

I asked him if his family was proud of him and he said when he told them about the event, they immediately asked, "Did we lose any livestock" and when he said 'no', they seemed disinterested in the rest of the tale. This is just life in that part of the world.

AnotherDreamWeaver

(2,850 posts)

3. Now looking for Xmas lights to keep the Mt. Lion from my sheep.

Reply to KoKo (Original post)

Thu Feb 28, 2013, 03:30 AM

Feb 2013

There are solar lights that flash and change colors too. We had one that was a butterfly.

KoKo

(84,711 posts)

4. I wondered if this would work to keep deer out of gardens?

Reply to AnotherDreamWeaver (Reply #3)

Thu Feb 28, 2013, 12:03 PM

Feb 2013

also some other critters who forage by night.

AnotherDreamWeaver

(2,850 posts)

5. I have heard folks use sprinklers with motion detectors...

Reply to KoKo (Reply #4)

Fri Mar 1, 2013, 01:39 AM

Mar 2013

I have heard folks use radios in fruit trees to keep birds/raccoons and squirls out. I know the silver and red mylar ribbons didn't keep the ravens out of my figs. Only lots of bird netting does that, and the trees are getting bigger...

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