Leela Hazzah, 2009 Women of Discovery Field Research Award

"Kula maisha (a Swahili saying) “Eat Life”" — Leela Hazzah

Wildlife conservationist

Born: 1979-01-01

Hometown: Washington, D.C.

Education: BS Biology, MS Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development, and PhD Candidate

Achievements

Discoveries: Lion Guardians—a community conservation program which provides a platform for Maasai warriors to engage and participate in lion conservation

Expeditions: The plains of East Africa, the North African desert, and the rainforest of Latin America and the Caribbean

Biography

Leela is the Director of the Lion Guardian program. Leela obtained her Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison ,and has completed her first year of PhD. studies there. Her research focuses on understanding the motivations behind lion killing in Maasailand and overall perceptions and attitudes of Maasai towards carnivores. She has a Biology degree from Denison University, is fluent in Kiswahili, and has previously worked as a GIS analyst and field researcher in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. Leela has been awarded a Fullbright Hays Doctoral Fellowship, a Kaplan Fellowship, a Fellowship from Wings WorldQuest, and a Jordan Prize for African Studies.   (Taken from LionConservation.org website)

Fun Facts

Favorite Item to have in the field: My walking stick and companions

Heroes: My parents, for allowing me to explore my curiosity and supporting my dreams, and Ole Lepencha—a wise Maasai man who taught me much about life and patience.