Osunash Unplugged

Recently, something quite extraordinary happened in Kimana Sanctuary — and I had the privilege of witnessing it. Osunash, a lion born in July 2016 in Amboseli National Park, had his collar removed. And while that might sound simple, the story behind it is anything but. 

A few weeks earlier, we noticed Osunash’s collar looked tight. I called Popote, the Senior Warden, who reported it to Lion Guardians — an organisation that protects lions and educates communities in lion conservation. But nothing happens without approval from the Kenya Wildlife Service. Once they were alerted, the search for Osunash began. 

They found him several times, but he was always with other lions. It’s dangerous to dart a lion when others are nearby. Then, one morning, everything aligned — Osunash was alone and in Kimana Sanctuary. The call came in: the vet was ready, and Osunash could finally be helped. 

That same day, a group of Brazilian guests arrived. What better welcome to Africa than witnessing a lion de-collaring? They barely had time to check in before I whisked them away. Our General Manager, Collins, rallied everyone in camp (understandable, everyone wanted to join in), so we even had several colleagues with us: Angama's Head of Sales, Hayley, Jay from the Angama Photographic Studio, and any available guides. As we arrived, we made sure to keep a respectful distance.

The vet darted Osunash under a tree. As soon as he was safely asleep, we were invited closer. It was surreal to stand next to this powerful male lion — usually so fearsome, now peacefully still. 

The collar had caused a wound on his neck. It may have been from a fight with another lion, perhaps even Male 263, his coalition partner — we’ve seen the scars from a few of their spats. The vet cleaned the wound, took samples, and applied a spray that looked like an antibiotic. He checked Osunash’s vitals and scanned his whole body. Then, the collar came off.

Guests, Guides, and even I, all had a chance to gently touch Osunash. It was my first time being this close to a lion. I joked, ’If he wakes up, which way are we running?’ But in truth, we were all safe as he was sound asleep. We all felt like tiny ants next to him. 

Afterwards, we returned to the vehicles. Osunash was given antidote medicine to wake up. He stood slowly, a little wobbly, scanned the horizon, then walked into the bush and lay down again. The vet stayed to monitor him for 24 hours. 

Osunash’s first collar was fitted in December 2020 to stop him from hunting livestock. Tracking him meant farmers were warned, and he was kept safe. Lion Guardians fitted the second collar in October 2023 to replace the first. 

Now, with his wound healing fast and a strong coalition with Male 263, plus two females nearby, we’re hopeful Osunash is ready to start a pride in Kimana Sanctuary. With so many herbivores around, there’s plenty to eat — and no reason to stray near the communities again. 

Feeling the power of a male lion beneath our fingertips was a moment none of us will forget.