Lion Guardian Games – Stick Throwing Event

This video shows footage of one of three events held in the first ever Lion Guardian Games that were held this year by the Panthera supported Living with Lions organization. Here, Lion Guardians are shown competing in the stick throwing event. The Lion Guardian Games is an exciting tournament in which the Lion Guardians, Maasai traditional warriors, – competed in three events, including stick and spear throwing and soccer – a sport with which many of the Guardians are not so familiar. The games tested the skill, accuracy and strength of the competitors, and provided a neutral environment in which to showcase their skills. The games were held to thank the Guardians for their incredible work during a year plagued by a severe drought which had contributed to an increase in human-lion conflicts, and also to acquaint Lion Guardians working at three separate ranches — Eselenkei, Mbirikani, and Olgulului Group Ranches — to encourage them to work together on lion conservation issues in the future. Read more about the games and the winners on the Lion Guardians blog – lionguardians.wildlifedirect.org/ – and in Panthera’s newsletter – panthera.org/november-2010-newsletter#3. See photos from the event at flickr.com/photos/pantheracats/sets/72157625298393796/. Learn more about the Lion Guardians Program at panthera.org/programs/lion/lion-guardians.