Having grown up in a home near the Nairobi National Park, Richard Turere witnessed the constant conflict between humans and wildlife.
Many prey would wander into communal lands to escape threats from predators.
In most cases, they would end up getting killed by the local communities first due to the danger posed and the destruction they caused on farms.
Despite the government coming up with several solutions to address the menace, none succeeded as they proved expensive and unsustainable.
It was when he was just 11 years that Terere decided to come up with a solution to counteract the problem that significantly impacted the lion population, biodiversity and tourism.
He called it the Lions Light System.
Years later, Terere’s innovation to protect livestock, livelihoods and wildlife won him the Young Innovators Prize.
“I want this story to inspire the young kids that they, too, can do something. Anyone can make it. Anyone can change this world,” Turere said when he received the award.
Turere, 22, was announced winner of the European Inventor Award 2023 after beating two other finalists.
He was distinguished for developing a system to ward off lions and other predators from livestock using light sequences to protect his community’s livestock without harming the endangered lions.
Using changing sequences of flashing lights mounted on fences, the system deters lions from hunting livestock.
The simple and innovative system of flashing lights has been successfully adopted across Africa, India and Latin America.
“Today, my team and I might seem too young for people to take us seriously. But we are going to compel them to believe in us through our achievements and recognition like the Young Inventors Prize is part of that journey,” Turere said.
The European Patent Office established the Young Inventors Prize in 2021 to inspire the next generation of inventors.
Aimed at innovators aged 30 or below from all around the world, it recognises initiatives that use technology to contribute toward the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.
Turere’s invention contributes to UN SDG 15: Life on Land, which includes protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
The winner will receive Sh3 million (EUR 20,000), while the second and third-placed finalists will receive Sh1.5 million (EUR 10,000) and Sh766,000 (EUR 5,000) respectively.
After testing several ideas, Turere’s invention, known as Lion Lights is based on a simple concept: visually replicating the human presence that keeps lions away.
The system typically runs on solar energy but can also be coupled with wind power when the weather is cloudy or there is little sun.
It has attracted international attention and has been implemented in several other countries, including Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, Argentina and India, where it has helped deter various species of animals, such as hyenas, leopards and cheetahs.
According to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the lion population in Africa is estimated to have declined by 43 per cent in 20 years, with roughly 20,000 lions thought to be roaming the entire continent.
Many lions are killed to stop them from eating precious livestock, which is a key concern for the Maasai of Kenya.
In recognition of his achievements, Turere has received numerous accolades, such as a special commendation at the Africa Leadership Awards, being a finalist at the Anzisha Prize Awards, and being named a National Geographic Young Explorer in 2020.
He was also a finalist for a Future for Nature award in 2021.