Kenya is home to Africa’s predators (捕食者), particularly lions, which frequently hunt farmers’ livestock (牲畜). To protect their animals, farmers often use poisons. While these have been successful in protecting farmers’ livestock, their use has resulted in a sharp decline in the lion population, which stands at just 2,500 now.
At the age of nine, Turere was asked to care for his father’s cattle beside Nairobi National Park, one of Kenya’s most famous wilderness areas, where people frequently experienced conflicts with lions. Turere couldn’t bear to see lions harmed by humans when lions hunted cows, because he loved these creatures deeply. Determined to find a solution benefiting both local farmers and wildlife, Turere started experimenting. But no way worked at first. The only thing that worked later was when he wandered around the livestock pen with a torch in hand. The sight of him walking around at night with a light made the animals runaway.
This inspired Turere to develop the Lion Lights system, a series of flashing LED lights strategically placed on the cattle fences to scare away predators. “The lights flash irregularly to trick lions into thinking that someone is walking around with a flashlight. Thanks to it, we went from losing three cows a week to none,” says Turere. This innovative solar-powered light system—which can also run on wind power—costs just $20.5 per unit, making it affordable and eco-friendly.
Turere’s invention is not only protecting the livelihoods of local communities, it, is also changing the viewpoints of local communities on wild life. “Since the introduction of the Lion Lights system, there have been no predator-related incidents. As a result, local people no longer view wildlife as the enemy,” he notes. “This is great news for these wonderful animals as it means that local communities are more open to wildlife conservation.”
【小题1】What is the problem with farmers using poisons in Kenya?| A．It threatens the lion’s survival. |
| B．It often harms their livestock. |
| C．It arouses the public’s opposition. |
| D．It damages the local environment. |
| A．To take good care of his father’s cattle. |
| B．To stop farmers from hunting lions. |
| C．To protect the livestock from being killed. |
| D．To find ways for farmers and lions to coexist. |
| A．It can keep domestic animals from running away. |
| B．It works with all the lights on all the time. |
| C．It’s inexpensive and environmentally friendly. |
| D．Only three cows have been lost since it was used. |
| A．Exploring the world is a must for children. |
| B．Local communities have been preserving the wildlife. |
| C．Protecting the livestock of local communities is the top priority. |
| D．Turere’s invention contributed to wildlife conservation. |
