Via elephantjournal.com

on Mar 5, 2013

Outsmarting Lions: One Boy’s Simple Invention. ~ Terri Tremblett

Do you think that one child can’t make a difference?

This is an amazing story of just how one boy did.

When he was just 11 years old, Richard Turere found a way to make things better for his family and his community.

Living on the outskirts of Nairobi National Park, where lions roam freely, his rural area often became a hunting ground for lions who regularly feasted on the community’s livestock. Cattle were frequently attacked and eaten; lions were regularly killed by farmers trying to defend their cattle.

Richard Turere noticed that lions kept their distance when people walked around at night with flashlights.

This knowledge gave him the idea that just two years later has both earned him a scholarship to a top school, and resulted in an invitation to TED 2013 in California.

This amazing young man used the limited resources at his disposal to create what he calls “Lion Lights,” which are flashing LED lights attached to poles surrounding his property.  The lights flash intermittently—connected to a switch box and powered by an old car battery.

Since his creation was first tested, the lions have stayed away.

Richard has also assisted neighbors with their own “Lion Lights,” which can be found in more than 75 locations in the area.

His invention has garnered praise because of its effectiveness, but also because it’s a humane solution that is saving the lives of animals.

Here is Richard Turere’s amazing story:

Terri Tremblett is a freelance writer and editor who also works in finance and dabbles in various artistic pursuits. She is equally at home walking the beach or digging in the dirt but has not yet mastered the art of walking by a book store without going in. Her education did not end when she finished university, as her life regularly proves. She can sometimes be found behind her camera, often taking pictures of her kids, and learning about photography along the way.

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Ed: Bryonie Wise

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