Species: Lion

Hwange’s lion dynasties, and the threats to their legacy

Hwange is a top safari spot for seeing lions, many of which are well known. Read about some of Hwange’s lion legends & their challenges

Are fenced lions happy?

Does lion pride behaviour change between fenced & open systems? Researchers monitoring lions in Kruger, Pilanesberg & more aim to find out

The fragile kingdoms of the African lion

Lions are under threat. A new study examines the fragility of lion populations in Africa, probing socio-political & ecological factors

Vanishing lions – a 75% decline in Africa’s iconic predators in just five decades

Africa’s lions are disappearing. New research shows that lion populations across the continent have declined by 75% in just five decades

Lion nomad settles in Zinave NP – first in 30 years

A large nomad lion has settled in the remote Zinave NP, Mozambique; the first lion there in 30 years – major conservation success story

Is lion hunting sustainable?

Lion hunting sustainability in Africa has been extensively investigated by pragmatic experts desperate to conserve our remaining wild lions

Trophy hunters kill another breeding Hwange lion – Mopane

Trophy hunters kill another breeding lion (named Mopane) from Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park – in a mirror of the Cecil tragedy

Lion farming and zoonotic diseases

The zoonotic diseases that lions carry and why lion farming is potentially harmful to human beings – new research

Chobe River lions face an uncertain future

Lions in the Chobe River area face an uncertain future – pressured by human farmers to the north and a lack of new blood from the south

Translocating lions does not reduce conflict – research

New research from Botswana shows that translocating lions in conflict with livestock owners is expensive and results in high lion mortality, repeat offences and very little reduction in human-lion conflict.

Arch-enemies? New research on lions vs hyenas

Lions vs hyenas is the ultimate African drama. New research has shed light on the dynamics between these two apex predators

Counting lions: new study shows the importance of good counts for lion conservation

Counting lions using correct techniques is vital to understand how many lions there are. Historical surveys have not resulted in good data

Lions in Zambia are roaming across areas thought uninhabitable for them

Research: Lions are sneaking virtually undetected through dense human zones in Zambia, thereby ensuring genetic diversity throughout the entire Zambian lion population.

New report reveals the value of lions and their landscapes

The New Lion Economy is the first project of its kind to make the link between ecosystem services, economic development, cultural significance and the survival of lions.

Lion populations show significant loss of genetic diversity, say researchers

Lion populations in southern Africa are weakening genetically, and less able to recover from current and future pressures, say researchers.

Beach lions again hunting seals and coastal birds in Namibia, after 35 years

Research has revealed that the desert-adapted lions eking out a living on the harsh northwest coast of Namibia’s Skeleton Coast National Park (SCNP) are again specialising in hunting seals and coastal birds such as flamingos and cormorants, after an absence of 35 years.

The African Lion

“There are few sounds as evocative and exhilarating as a lion roaring his challenge into the African night; triggering in us all a primordial reaction of fear and awe. Lions are essential players in Africa’s wild spaces, ruthlessly executing the role of an apex predator and so helping maintain biodiversity and ecosystems, which change fundamentally …

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