The Cat-alyst of Kimana Sanctuary

Kimana Sanctuary, situated at the foot of Kilimanjaro and home to Angama Amboseli, has become something truly special: a place where lions now reside and thrive. For the first time in over 20 years, a pride has claimed this protected land as home. It’s a conservation success story shaped by unlikely friendships, dedicated guardianship, and one particularly persistent lion. 

His name is Osunash.

When he first arrived in Kimana Sanctuary as a two-year-old dispersing male, he drifted between the Sanctuary and Amboseli as he searched for a territory of his own. He lingered on and off for about a year, trying to stake his claim. 

In a rare twist, Osunash formed a coalition with his father, and together they seized control of the Makindu area. They held it for a few years, but as they expanded, a move that inevitably brought conflict, as expansion means pushing out other lions. During this time, Osunash’s father died. 

Alone and outmatched, Osunash returned to Kimana bruised but not broken. In a landscape where lion populations are steadily rising, Kimana offered something rare: space. So, he stayed. 

Osunash later teamed up with Ng’erebes, son of the legendary Loonkiito, who was one of the oldest recorded wild lions ever, and the pair roamed Olgulului and Eselenkei before eventually parting ways. Osunash returned to his old haunts, Kimana, ALOCA, and Amboseli and, realising most territories were full, chose to settle in Kimana Sanctuary. He stayed for about six months before Male 263 joined him. 

This was then the 'cat-alyst'. Two males holding territory sent a signal. In the foothills of the Chyulu Hills, two young lionesses — Memusi and Noltulali — had been pushed out of their family prides. Following the sound of the males’ roars, they crossed into Kimana and made it home. 

As the lionesses mated with both males, tensions flared. Osunash, more established in the territory, and Male 263, being older, both were unwilling to give up dominance. Their clashes were fierce. For months, the lionesses mated again and again, but if any cubs were born, they likely didn’t survive. 

Then, in May 2025, Guide Johnson Salash spotted a single cub trailing behind Memusi. She had given birth to two, but only one survived — a female she raised in hiding. Weeks later, Noltulali returned from a brief disappearance with two tiny cubs of her own. By the end of July, both lionesses had introduced their cubs to the pride. Naturally, both Osunash and Male 263 accepted the cubs, since they are the fathers. 

This moment is the result of years of collaborative conservation. Big Life Foundation has worked with communities to reduce conflict between people and predators. Lion Guardians has also worked with communities to mitigate human-lion conflict and has monitored these lions, helping to rebuild trust. And Kimana Sanctuary, co-managed by Angama and its partners, now provides a safe corridor at the heart of the ecosystem. 

With lion numbers across the Greater Amboseli Ecosystem now estimated between 250 and 300, territory is increasingly complex to come by. Once overlooked, Kimana has become prime real estate in a tightening landscape. 

This pride is more than just a sighting on safari. It’s living proof that conservation works and that when people, land, and wildlife find balance, the wild can come home. 

Lion Guardians is an Indigenous-led conservation organisation working to promote sustainable human–wildlife coexistence across the Amboseli ecosystem of southern Kenya. Lion Guardians' approach blends Maasai traditional and ecological knowledge with rigorous science to monitor lions, prevent conflict, and foster coexistence. Lion Guardians monitors the broader lion population, identifying and tracking individual lions across decades and generations. Knowing each lion by name and story allows Lion Guardians to anticipate behaviour, respond quickly to conflict alongside Big Life, and protect both lions and the communities who share this land.

Big Life works hand-in-hand with Maasai communities and field partners to protect wildlife, safeguard natural habitats, and support community development in the Greater Amboseli Ecosystem. Big Life's comprehensive approach addresses multiple conservation challenges, with the aim of protecting an ecosystem and its functioning. Human-wildlife conflict mitigation is essential if people are to share space with wild animals. Big Life partners closely with Lion Guardians to maintain peace between lions and local communities.

If you are interested in supporting conservation that works, this giving season, please consider a donation to Big Life Foundation or Lion Guardians.