Although the African lion population is estimated at 25,000 individuals, increasing habitat fragmentation is putting the future of Panthera leo in serious risk .Researchers at Oxford University have completed a recent continent wide survey that shows the cats are at serious risk from the fragmentation of populations
They are therefore facing some of the same threats as jaguars (Panthera onca) tigers (Panthera tigris) cougars (Puma concolor) and Gir lions (a subspecies of Panthera leo) in India . Potentially, some of the same strategies that seem to be aiding these big cats can be used to help protect the African lion population
“The study built on extensive lion monitoring projects which WildCRU has playevd a major role in for decades to map the current state of lion populations across Africa. Thise revealed that whilst the total population of wild lions in Africa may be estimated art between 20,000 and 25,000 individuals, many of these live within small, fragmented populations at risk of disappearing. For instance, of the 25 countries where African lions remain, nearly half of these nations have fewer than 250 individuals, with eight countries having only a single wild lion population. Furthermore, less than half of the 62 known wild African lion populations have over 100 lions.
However, the vulnerability of different lion populations cannot be assessed simply through their size. For each population, the researchers identified ecological and socio-political factors that may influence their survival. Smaller lion populations or higher densities of people and livestock, for example, would contribute to higher ecological fragility, while higher levels of corruption or lower GDP per capita would contribute to greater socio-political fragility. These were then integrated into a single overall fragility index.”
WildCru is Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit. Professor Amy Dickman is the director.
The study of the African lion population is in line with the results of similar research about other large cats. Habitat fragmentation is a serious risk for many large cats. Cougars in the Santa Monica Mountains, for example, are inbreeding due to habitat fragmentation. The overcrossing in Liberty Canyon is expected to build a wildlife corridor to help ease that problem. Cats and other wildlife will be able to cross over the deadly 101 Freeway. Wildlife corridors help animals cross dangerous areas such as freeways. The liberty Canyon venture is inspiring conservationists in Belize to bridge the gap between jaguar populations. Another tactic is straightforward reintroduction. India, for example has imported cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) from Namibia. The animals are expected to repopulate parts of India from which they were driven at least 70 years ago.
tNone of the methods so far have been a “silver bullet.” But together they are working. In addition, eco-tourism has increased the value of all wildlife, Tourists viewing wildlife pump increasing amounts of money into local economies viewing. Other efforts seek to decrease conflict between humans and wildlife. One example is beekeeping and snow leopards. Convincing locals to keep bees rather than livestock can give the locals a reliable source of income. It also reduces conflict with the cats over predation.