Predator Watch #10
A Story of Ambition and Grace (25th – 31st August 2025)
Every day in the wild, a new story is written.
Every predator in the Mara walks a unique path. For some, it is a perilous gamble, a nomadic journey across dangerous landscapes in a quest to establish a territory of their own.
For others, it is a story of legacy, a life spent mastering a domain and raising the next generation with strength. This week, our research team had a front-row seat to both of these narratives, witnessing the high-stakes ambition of young lions and the quiet, confident legacy of one of the Greater Mara’s most iconic leopards.
Young nomads on the move
We had an epic encounter with Oloitore and Lenkai, the two young Enkoyanai sub-adult males who recently appeared in the Reserve. We found them in an area where the Topi and Figtree pride territories overlap. Interestingly, just the previous week, we had seen the pair in the Kisinja area, attempting to chase Olbarnoti from a kill he was sharing with the KWS (Kisinja) Pride females.
True to his reputation, Olbarnoti held his ground and refused to be displaced.
To see Oloitore and Lenkai on the opposite side of the Reserve now shows just how far nomadic males will roam in search of females. It is a risky stage of their lives, as they often face injury or even death when clashing with established males. We hope these two continue their journey with caution, steering clear of the old guards for now.
A legacy of Motherhood
Another highlight of the week was a heartwarming encounter with the leopard Sankuet and her cub. Sankuet is one of the most successful leopards in the Greater Mara, having raised several offspring: her daughters Kini and Nadala, her son Nguvu, and now this playful new cub.
At 9 years old, Sankuet looked strong and healthy, carefully guiding her little one while delighting Naboisho Conservancy guests with moments of play and affection. A true essence of motherhood in the wild, Sankuet continues to cement her legacy as one of the most iconic leopards of the Mara.
From the desperate gamble of young lions to the quiet confidence of a leopard queen, these two stories paint a vivid picture of the circle of life in the Mara. They represent the ambition to build a future and the grace of a legacy fulfilled. Our work is dedicated to ensuring that this landscape remains a place where both of these journeys can unfold, where nomads have a chance to become kings and queens have the space to raise the next generation.
Conservation News & Updates
Intensive Monitoring Session (IMS)
Our 2025 IMS is now in its second month. For the past month, our research team has been crisscrossing the Mara surveying and intensively monitoring the population of predators to obtain updates on their densities and distribution.
The data we are collecting on lions, cheetahs, and their environment is important for understanding population trends and shaping our conservation strategies for the years to come. Thank you to all our partners and supporters who make this effort possible.
Be Part of the Story
Support Our Work
The stories you read in Predator Watch are made possible by our dedicated team on the ground and the essential tools they use every day. From monitoring lions and cheetahs across extensive territories to ensuring a Lion Ambassador can patrol safely, every aspect of our work requires resources. You can directly support these efforts and become a part of predator conservation in the Greater Mara.
Here’s how your contribution can make a direct impact:
- $50 buys a pair of sturdy boots to keep a Lion Ambassador on patrol.
- $100 purchases one GPS ear tag for a cow, helping us better understand and mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
- $500 provides fuel and maintenance for one of our 4×4 field vehicles for an entire month, keeping our research assistants on the move.
- $2,500 builds one predator-proof, recycled plastic boma (livestock enclosure), protecting livestock and preventing retaliatory killings.
- $5,000 allows us to purchase and deploy one GPS collar on a lion or cheetah, providing invaluable data on their movements.
Every donation makes a difference and allows us to continue this important work.
