Pride of Samburu
For the Samburu warriors of northern Kenya, hunting a lion was once a sign of bravery. But when one warrior realized that only 11 lions remained on their land, he shifted from fighting against the lions to becoming their fiercest defender. Pride of Samburu tells the story of Samburu Elder and National Geographic Explorer Jeneria Lekilelei, who dedicates his life to building coexistence between his Samburu community and the lions of Northern Kenya.
Producers: Dustin Sylvia, Peter Ndung’u, Simatwa Ngachi
Devin Swanson
Director: Vanessa Serrao Hiemenz
Director of Photography: Ivan Agerton
Writer: Simatwa Ngachi, Peter Ndung’u, Devin Swanson
Editing: Dustin Sylvia
Sound: Edna Bonareri Momanyi
Composer: Neil Darmon
Director’s Biography
Vanessa Serrao leads the Impact Story Lab at the National Geographic Society, an initiative that combines creative excellence with social, cognitive, and behavioral science to drive positive change. She and her team produce world-class film, audio, photography, VR/AR experiences and other media that furthers the goals of National Geographic’s Explorer-led programs. An award-winning filmmaker, producer and executive producer, Vanessa specializes in telling stories about science, culture, and the intersection of the two. Her work has helped to raise millions of dollars for wildlife conservation, inspired unanimous support of environmental legislation, and made complex scientific topics accessible to a worldwide audience.