National Geographic film on Samburu lions premieres in Nairobi

The National Geographic Society's feature documentary Pride of Samburu has premiered in Nairobi, Capital FM reported on 5 October. The film had its world premiere on 29 September in the Samburu communities where it was filmed, the Society said in an announcement on 30 September, when it scheduled the Nairobi premiere for 1 October.

The Society made the film with Ewaso Lions, a Kenyan wildlife conservation organisation, and a team of Kenyan filmmakers. It said the film will be screened worldwide after the Kenyan premieres, alongside an impact campaign.

The Society said the Ewaso Lions team has raised the Samburu lion population from 11 to more than 60 through inclusive community conservation projects and scientific research.

The film follows three explorers: Jeneria Lekilelei, Toby Otieno and Shivani Bhalla, the founder and executive director of Ewaso Lions. Capital FM reported on 5 October that Lekilelei, a former Samburu warrior, became concerned after discovering that only 11 lions remained in his homeland. "When I first joined Ewaso Lions, other warriors thought I'd gone crazy; my friends started leaving me," he said, as quoted by Capital FM.

The film covers two programmes. Warrior Watch uses GPS collaring, with young warriors acting as monitors. Mama Simba, which means "mother of lions", trains Samburu women to protect lions. The Society called Munteli Lalparasoroi the driving force behind it.

Vanessa Serrao directed the film. Impact Story Lab member Dustin Sylvia produced and edited it. The executive producers are Serrao, Dax Dasilva, Chris Renaud and Kaitlin Yarnall, the Society's chief storytelling officer. Explorer Peter Ndung'u, Simatwa Ngachi and Devin Swanson also served as producers.