How the Ruaha Carnivore Project is Saving Lions in Tanzania

How the Ruaha Carnivore Project Is Saving Lions in Tanzania

When you think of an African safari, the lion is likely the first animal that comes to mind. Known as the King of the Jungle, these majestic predators are icons of the wild. Yet, behind the beauty of the savanna lies a worrying truth — Africa’s lions are disappearing fast. Experts predict they could face extinction within the next 30 to 40 years if conservation efforts fail.

Thankfully, dedicated organizations like the Ruaha Carnivore Project (RCP) are working tirelessly to protect them from poaching, habitat loss, trophy hunting, and human-wildlife conflict.

The Land of Lions – Ruaha National Park

Located in southern Tanzania, Ruaha National Park is one of Africa’s largest and most breathtaking wilderness areas, spanning over 20,000 km². Its vast plains, rocky hills, winding sand rivers, and iconic baobab trees create a dramatic landscape that supports more than 10% of Africa’s remaining lions.

On a game drive near a prickly acacia, our guide, Dulla, spots a lioness resting in the shade. “I think she’s new here — and heavily pregnant,” he says, noting her swollen belly and distinctive ear notch. Dulla logs her details — GPS location, behavior, and physical traits — into a tablet. This data helps RCP researchers, who have been tracking lion prides for nearly a decade in collaboration with WildCRU at Oxford University.

Just like human fingerprints, each lion’s whisker pattern is unique, helping scientists identify and monitor individual lions across the region.

Tourism Meets Conservation

What might seem like a simple game drive is actually part of a larger citizen science initiative. Our lodge, the stunning Jabali Ridge run by Asilia Africa, actively supports RCP’s research. The project has trained over 30 safari guides from 10 lodges to help collect lion data and photos during their daily tours.

With such a massive territory to monitor, every extra pair of eyes helps. At RCP’s base camp in Kitisi Village, Assistant Field Operations Manager Ana Grau shows us maps pinpointing lion pride territories, sighting “hotspots”, and movement patterns of other carnivores like cheetahs, leopards, and wild dogs.

But Ruaha’s lions don’t stay within park borders — they often wander into village lands, leading to deadly clashes with local herders.

The Barabaig Tribe and Village Life

Just outside Ruaha lies Kitisi Village, home to many members of the Barabaig, a semi-nomadic tribe that depends almost entirely on cattle. With limited access to water, education, and healthcare, livestock are their lifeline.

Traditionally, the Barabaig have viewed lions as enemies, often killing them in retaliation for livestock losses or as part of warrior initiation rituals. These hunts once claimed dozens of lions every year, threatening local populations.

Turning Hunters into Lion Defenders

Thanks to the Ruaha Carnivore Project, this narrative is changing. Inspired by Kenya’s Maasai Lion Guardians, RCP has trained 13 former lion hunters to become Lion Defenders.

These men now work to:

Track lion movements and warn herders of danger
Recover lost livestock
Reinforce cattle enclosures (bomas) with lion-proof fencing

The results have been extraordinary — livestock killings have dropped by 60%, and lion killings have declined from about 60 per year to just four.

Instead of celebrating lion hunts, the community now holds monthly celebrations for every month without a hunt — a powerful cultural shift toward coexistence.

Community Camera Trap Challenge

To further strengthen local involvement, RCP introduced the Community Camera Trap Program, which rewards villages for wildlife sightings captured on automatic cameras.

Each animal earns points — a lion is worth 15,000 points, while smaller species like the dik-dik earn fewer. The village with the most points after three months wins prizes such as medical supplies, school materials, or veterinary equipment valued at up to $200,000.

This creative approach transforms wildlife from threats into valuable community assets.

Education and Lasting Impact

Education is at the heart of RCP’s success. The organization funds school feeding programs, supports secondary and college scholarships, and organizes school twinning programs that link local and international students.

Over 30,000 villagers have watched RCP’s wildlife films, and many are now seeing lions with new admiration. “They had no idea lions could be kind,” says RCP founder Dr. Amy Dickman.

Before leaving, I ask one of the Lion Defenders, Daudi, what he values most about his work.
“I love what it brings to our community,” he says. “Better schools, roads, and fewer lion hunts. We protect lions — and they protect our future.”

A Model for African Conservation

The Ruaha Carnivore Project proves that lion conservation and community welfare can go hand in hand. By empowering local people, protecting livestock, and restoring cultural pride, Ruaha’s lions are reclaiming their place as true gentle giants of Tanzania’s wilderness.