A team from Peace Parks Foundation, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas and the Mozambique Wildlife Alliance successfully tracked down and collared a large male lion after searching for him for almost two years. He was eventually spotted from a helicopter while busy with a kill.
The Loss Of Lions
Over the last hundred years, lions have disappeared from 95% of their historic range. According to Africa Geographic, it is estimated that Africa’s lion population has declined by 42% since the 1980s. This takes it from around 100 000 animals to anywhere between 16 000 and 35 000 individuals.
The decline in numbers is largely due to habit loss and human-wildlife conflict. The rapid increase of the human population in Africa is putting significant pressure on their home ranges. Lions are now forced to feed on livestock, which directly threatens the health and wellbeing of communities. With fewer lions around to breed, they face a loss in the species’ genetic diversity.
In 2020, with generous funding support from the UK Government through the International Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, Peace Parks joined forces with Endangered Wildlife Trust and South African National Parks (SANParks). This is an ongoing project that aims to understand and better protect Africa’s flagship species across the transfrontier landscape.
The team is incredibly excited to study the data from the GPS tracker collar. This will allow them to monitor his movements and protect other lions within the Limpopo National Park region.
Caring For Lion And Other Large Cats
Limpopo National Park and its neighbouring Kruger National Park in South Africa are two of the many components that make up the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. This area is one of the last ten remaining lion strongholds in Africa. Peace Parks Foundation is working with the Mozambique Government, the Endangered Wildlife Trust and many other committed partners to protect vital populations of these big cats in the area.
Enhanced counter-poaching strategies, increased ranger forces, advanced training, and the availability of aerial support have all been introduced to create a safer environment for lions and other wildlife within Limpopo National Park.
