Richard Turere was an eleven-year-old boy in Kenya when one morning, upon entering the stable, he found that one of his family cows had been killed. Lion attack! Not just Richard's family, but many of their neighbors were putting up with the same problem. Some people who had lost animals to the lions wanted to kill the lions to protect their remaining cows and goats. That, however, would have brought another problem, for lions are the top tourist attraction in Kenya and are protected by law. In addition, their numbers are decreasing.

Members of Richard's family took turns guarding the cows in their stable at night. Still, when everyone was asleep, lions were able to get through the fence. Richard first set up a series of torches on the fence. He knew lions were afraid of fire. What he did not know was how smart lions are. When the lions found out that no one was around, they entered the stable and attacked the cows anyway. Next, Richard set up scarecrows. They were of no use, either. He had to find a way to stop the lions before he lost another cow!

Richard observed the lions' behavior. One night, he took a torch and walked around the stable. He sensed that lions were outside in the dark, but they would not come near if they thought somebody was walking around to protect the cows. Then he had an idea―a moving torch! To lions, a moving torch could only mean that a person was holding it, which would stop them from approaching the stable. How, he thought to himself, could he make it appear that a torch was moving?

After lots of trial and error, Richard finally created a system of flashing LED lights, powered by an old car battery that was charged by a solar panel. Richard set the lights up along the fence. At night, the lights could be seen from outside the stable and took turns flashing, which appeared as if people were moving around with torches. Never again did lions cross Richard's fence. Richard called his system Lion Lights.

This simple and practical device did no harm to lions, so human beings, cattle, and lions were finally able to make peace with one another. Lion Lights also work for other wild animals. Richard's Lion Lights are now being used all over Kenya.