Protection from and for Lions with Solar Energy

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Solutions to long-term problems don't always need to be complicated. This also applies to lion conservation: a 13 year old boy from Kenya devised a plan to protect his family's cattle from lions using blinking lights. And...it works!

Autor*in Anna Rees, 08.06.13

Solutions to long-term problems don’t always need to be complicated. This also applies to lion conservation: a 13 year old boy from Kenya devised a plan to protect his family’s cattle from lions using blinking lights. And…it works!

With lions and other predators frequently sneaking into the Bomas (residences) of the local Maasai, the most common reaction in the past has been to kill lions as an act of retaliation. Maasai teenager Richard Turere came up with a solution to this problem: LEDS that blink intermittently can keep lions away. By fixing the lights to the perimetre fence, the cattle are protected from predators. Since Turere installed the lights two years ago, there have been no more attacks on the family’s cattle and the idea has since spread with a number of surrounding families employing a similar system.

Richard Turere obtained the electricity from a car battery – but there is an even simpler way to power these lights. Our newest partner project Mobisol – Solar Energy via SMS has developed a pilot project ‘Mobisol Lion Lights’ together with environmental-protection projects in the region. The Lion Lights packet contains one solar panel to provide power for a few room lights as well as high-quality LEDS that blink on intermitent levels throughout the night. Using an innovative payment method that functions via mobile phones, the system also allows people on low incomes to access the LED set-up, paying in small monthly rates. For our first donation phase ‘Protection from and for Lions with Prepaid Solar Energy’, we are looking to equip one Maasai family in Tanzania with the Mobisol Lion Ligts sytem. You can donate now via RESET.org and contribute to the peaceful coexistence of the Maasai, lions and conservationists.

All the info on the project can be found here: Mobisol – Solar Energy via SMS

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New RESET Partner Project: Mobisol – Solar Energy via SMS

We are thrilled to introduce our latest partner project to you: Mobisol – Solar Energy via SMS. The Berlin-based social business Mobisol is taking their innovative solar energy via SMS concept to Africa. You can support the project via RESET as of now.