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ON THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION - B - THE LION (Panthera leo)
ON THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION - B - THE LION (Panthera leo)
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ON THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION - B - THE LION (Panthera leo)
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Has anybody read this book?
Comparative growth of wild male and female lions (Panthera led)
DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1980.tb01433.x " Lion growth was studied by fitting sex specific Von Bertalanffy curves and linear regressions to data on body mass, heart girth, shoulder height and vertebral column length. Measurements were recorded for 344 lions (Panthera leo) (158 ♂♂ and 186 ♀♀), from Kruger National Park, South Africa. Growth in mass for males and females was linear up to about 36 months of age 0 = 0–98 and 0–99 respectively). The other age-specific measurements were clearly curvilinear. Mean weights for adult lions (excluding stomach contents) were 187–5 kg (♂♂) and 124–2 kg (♀♀) respectively. Lions tended to continue growing up to about seven years in males and nine to 10 years in females after which they usually started to lose condition. Body mass and heart girth measurements of Kruger Park lions were compared with samples from three other populations. These showed that lions from East Africa were smaller than those from more southern populations in Rhodesia, Kalahari and Kruger Park." http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/...x/abstract They want to charge for the PDF Another interesting find... http://www.africahunting.com/threads/mea...ors.14869/ Quote:Measuring Large African Predators I have emailed them to see the measuring instructions they recommend.  (02-03-2016, 04:38 PM)sanjay Wrote: Below is lion population estimation in different country of Africa by IFAW, IUCN and Duke University in year 2015 I agree with you Sanjay in most of what you mention, unless every single animal is radio-collard and accounted for , all we have is best estimates , the method of estimating the number and the variables considered should be thoroughly evaluated. Conservationists tend to use the lowest end of the number to underline the plight of the animals and the need to protect them, governments use the highest end to trumpet their success and "the vision of their fearless leaders", hunting agencies make you believe that Africa has over 100,000 lions and a million leopards to perpetuate and enlarge hunting quotas. It is high time that a continent-wide, scientifically accurate, internationally organized census of African lions is conducted. It is true that Angola, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, CDR, Botswana and South Sudan all have large areas of pristine wilderness and can each potentially be home for several thousand lions yet little to no research was done to back the estimates. The estimate for Kenya is a bit hopeful but not very far off, whereas for South Africa with 3000 wild lions and 6000 plus captive bred ones is ridiculous. Tanzania is the only country where lions are abundant and I think part of the problem is that researchers are extrapolating numbers for other areas based on their findings in Tanzania or South Africa. Whether there are 20,000 wild lions or 40,000 today it does not matter, Africa has millions of square kilometers of "lion country" but lions are disappearing from most unprotected areas. 
From Peter Rettig
Tomorow is World Lion Day Did you know, that it is still perfectly legal to shoot a lion for fun in several African Countries (talking about Trophy Hunting), despite the fact, that there are probably less than 20,000 Lions left in the Wild and that Lion numbers are still in free fall decline? Despite the fact, that Trophy Hunting outside small fenced and managed Game Farms has proofed to be economically useless and utterly destructive for Lion Populations? While it is a fact that Trophy Hunting has almost zero positive impact on Human Wildlife Conflict and Poaching? It is a disgusting reality! The picture above is showing "Blackie" out on the plains in the Maasai Mara just two month ago. "Blackie" is a 11-12 year old Male Lion. Many self claimed Lion Conservationists & Researchers (e.g. from WWF or Panthera), many African Leaders (responsible for Wildlife & Tourism in their respective countries), all involved people in the Global Hunting Industry (Outfitters, Professionell Hunters and Lobbyists) would argue: Blackie should have been hunted down several years ago already. Why? The argumentation is the following: - Male Lions beyong 6 years of age have concluded on their productive life span, they are old and can be taken out without negative impact on the Lion Population - Shooting a Male Lion will deliver significant amount of money which can be re-invested into Lion Conservation (e.g. paying the rural communities for tolerating Lions and to compensate them for Lifestock Losses) Well, a Male Lion Hunt will deliver (depending on Country) something between 20,000 - 50,000 $ for the Host Country (Trophy Fee, Bed Night Fees, Taxidermist, Transportation, Taxes etc.). Only a minor part of this money will ever reach the rural communities. A living lion over his/her lifespan (10-12 years on average) will deliver 3-5 mill. $ out of photographic tourism and therefore those lions living in tourism attractive areas will easily compensate for those lions living in rough and less scenic areas. As mentioned above, Trophy Hunting is economically useless. Let's have a look at the other argument: are Male Lions older than 6 years beyong their prime and no longer important for the health of a Lion Population? That is complete nonsense! "Blackie" is a good example: - "Blackie" and his 3 brothers/coalition partners showed up mid of 2009 in the Mara Triangle; they came in from the Serengeti along with the migratory herds; all 4 were young nomadic males 4-5 years old; almost certainly they never had a chance to successfully mate and to sire cubs before - "Blackie" and his 3 partners tried to settle down and to take over a Lion Pride in the Triangle; they had to compete against a coalition of 6 Male Lions (the famous Notches); it took them almost a year to take over the Mugoro Pride (one of them vanished during the confrontations with the Notches, as well as one of the Notches); "Blackie" was 5-6 years old when he started breeding - two years later "Blackie" and one of his coalition partners (Lipstick) crossed the Mara River and first took over the Paradise Pride and later the Rekero and the Rekero Breakaway Pride; they left the Mugoro Pride for good, but 3 of their offspring made it to adulthood and survived the take over by the 4 Oloololo Males (the third member of "Blackies" coaltion vanished in the process of the takeover) - another year later the 4 Musketeers (the Marsh Pride Males) started to challenge "Blackie & Lipstick"; this process lasted about a year; "Blackie" & "Lipstick" lost all 3 prides to the Musketeers but claimed one back (the Rekero Pride); 4-6 of their offspring from the Paradise Pride and Rekero Breakaway Pride made it to adulthood; "Blackie" & "Lipstick" were now 9-10 years old - another year later, mid of 2015, they were the proud fathers of 13 youngsters with the Rekero Pride, when the 4 Musketeers again challenged them and at some point they left the Rekero Pride (3-5 of the Rekero Youngsters are still alive) only to take over the Topi Plains Pride (who had been left for good by the 4 Musketeers) - today "Blackie" & "Lipstick" are the proud fathers of 4 youngsters with 2 females from the Topi Plains Pride and have recently mated with another 2 lionesses, at the age of 11-12 years; so far they successfully protect the territory against other males and coalitions "Blackie's" vita is not an exception, it is rather common that Male Lions only start breeding at the age of 4-6 years, that Male Lions lose a pride to other lions just to take over another pride. There are countless examples of Male Lions beyong 10 years of age being successful Pride Males.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Phylogeographic Patterns in Africa and High Resolution Delineation of Genetic Clades in the Lion (Panthera leo) Bertola et al., 2016
Abstract: "Comparative phylogeography of African savannah mammals shows a congruent pattern in which populations in West/Central Africa are distinct from populations in East/Southern Africa. However, for the lion, all African populations are currently classified as a single subspecies (Panthera leo leo), while the only remaining population in Asia is considered to be distinct (Panthera leo persica). This distinction is disputed both by morphological and genetic data. In this study we introduce the lion as a model for African phylogeography. Analyses of mtDNA sequences reveal six supported clades and a strongly supported ancestral dichotomy with northern populations (West Africa, Central Africa, North Africa/Asia) on one branch, and southern populations (North East Africa, East/Southern Africa and South West Africa) on the other. We review taxonomies and phylogenies of other large savannah mammals, illustrating that similar clades are found in other species. The described phylogeographic pattern is considered in relation to large scale environmental changes in Africa over the past 300,000 years, attributable to climate. Refugial areas, predicted by climate envelope models, further confirm the observed pattern. We support the revision of current lion taxonomy, as recognition of a northern and a southern subspecies is more parsimonious with the evolutionary history of the lion."
@Gamiz
Any claim that the hunting of an "older" animal is essentially "good" for the species is an absolute joke, its used to remove the villain tag attached to trophy hunters and is pathetic. Its just one of the many excuses hunters and game officials use to continue to profit from the hunting their territory brings in. In colorado they just instilled a "carnivore hunting program" to help the population of mule deer increase. They claim that mule deer are being hunted near extinction because the carnivore population is too high.... Lets look at this logic for a second. How in the world would a carnivore population be higher than the supporting prey base would allow? Carnivores only kill whats available, if mule deer population was low, the carnivores that hunted them would be directly affected and their #'s would drop drastically. We have seen it all over the world, time and time again. It's time for people to open their eyes, NEVER will the hunting of any animal help them or any other animal, unless an invasive animal has entered the picture. It's a joke that so called "wild animal parks" or "refuges" still can use this excuse and gov'ts still accept it. 
INTERVIEW WITH CRAIG PACKER ABOUT THE FUTURE OF LIONS
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/oct/04/craig-packer-interview-cecil-the-lion-killer?CMP=share_btn_fb
THE CRAIG PACKER INTERVIEW - A FEW POINTS TO REMEMBER
a - Hunters, trophy hunters, outfitters and pressure groups Packer described hunters as 'tourists'. They often believe whatever they are told: " ... A lot of clients head off into the bush believing that $ 50,000 will save the world - when in fact virtually none of that money goes to conservation ... ". Furthermore, " ... the true costs of conservation are far higher ... ". Although not too harsh on the dentist who finished male lion 'Cecil', Packer had to bit his lips when he was in the trophy room of another American billionaire 'lion hunter'. What he saw, was " ... a chilling tableau of animals frozen in death ... ". When there are millionaire and billionaire trophy hunters, there are outfitters. Some are ok, but many are not: " ... The corrupt companies all have connections with government. They are ruthless. The good ones fear that they will not be able to carry on if I name them. Hunting in Tanzania has been a bad thing. Kenia is just as bad ... ". Based on what I read, Zimbabwe most probably also features on the list. As to organisations in favour of this or that and their opponents. In general, Packer tries to stay away from them. The reason is the most organisations pro or contra this or that have to be considered as lobbyists. Most focus on a few issues only and the result is a lack of overview. b - Hunters Although very pessimistic about the future of lions, Packer isn't opposed to hunting per se. It depends on the way it is done and the philosophy: " ... If hunters take care of entire eco systems - the land, the plants and the herbivores - they would be rewarded with healthy numbers of lions ... ". The way he talks about hunting and managing eco systems reminds me of Russia. Researchers and others involved in conservation in Sichote-Alin concluded that both hunters and locals are needed to make conservation work. Although the 60 000 hunters with a license in Sichote-Alin don't like to compete with Amur tigers, they know wolves are far more destructive. They also know wolves avoid Amur tigers. When you connect both, the conclusion is Amur tigers are not the worst option. Hunters agreed and the result is less poaching and more Amur tigers. Not thousands of tigers, but more than a few decades ago. Problem solved, although it's unlikely there will be more than a thousand (adult) Amur tigers in the near future. There are three major differences between Sichote-Alin and Africa. One is Amur tigers only very seldom kill humans. As they are quite modest regarding cattle as well, they earned a bit of goodwill. Two is outfitters and government didn't start a secret operation to make a few more bucks in Sichote-Alin. Could be a result of a bit more supervision (Putin seems to be quite interested in Amur tigers), but my guess is national pride, culture and, to a degree, prosperity could be as important. When the Sovjet-Union had collapsed and poverty struck, many tigers were poached. Today, the situation seems to be a bit better. Three is hunters in Sichote-Alin don't come from the USA. They live in Sichote-Alin and seem to be more connected to Wild Russia. Furthermore, they don't need outfitters to hunt. They are there, but trophy hunting isn't big business and Amur tigers are out, whereas lions in Africa are fair game. Or made fair game. c - The future of lions in Africa There are three reasons to be pessimistic about the future of eco systems and apex predators. One reason was mentioined above. Another is population pressure. The last reason is a lack of funding. The only way to prevent a total destruction " ... is for the world to recognise that the great African reserves are true heritage sites and that protection should be paid out of global funds. If the giga-bucks do not come, then there is no hope ... ". Quite a statement from a giga-researcher, but that's the way to do business these days. Business? But we was talking Africa, reserves and lions, remember? Yes, but times have changed. In the old days, there was principles acknowledged by many. Today, everything of value has no value. Unless you add it yourself. This means a researcher, no matter how competent, has to include public relations and money to his skills if he wants to get a result. Packer knows. The next step is to contact the World Bank himself: " ... Packer here to talk money ... ". d - Book The interview says there is a Packer book available. As I'd like to read a lion book written by a lion, I will order it.
@Dr Panthera and I had a bit of a discussion on the same thing, in regards to Packers book "Lions: In the Balance"
I'll post what I wrote there here as well. http://wildfact.com/forum/topic-book-review?page=3 My 2 Cents I'd hate to believe that the best chance of saving lions or any species would be killing them....any one of them. I don't buy into the fact that hunting will generate massive contributions for conservation and in turn, it's a good thing. Killing and Conservation are contradicting things, Eco-tourism generates massive revenues, the money needs to be distributed far better before we declare "monitored hunting" a secret weapon in the protection of an apex predator. I find it sad that somebody like Packer feels that way, I think it shows just how hopeless he must feel fighting for the rights of the animals he loves so much. I'm sure it goes against his natural instinct but he thinks it could be a better way of getting them the protection they need. I guess at this stage, animals are lucky to have what little land they have left, if hunting needs to fall under the umbrella of wildlife protection, so be it. But that attitude will have to change at some point, the sense of entitlement and destruction of natural resources will have to stop, all species will gain REAL protection once that happens.  
Great photographs (especially the first one) of what seems to be an enormous and massive skull. As the teeth are not very worn, the owner could have been in his prime when he perished. Where was it found and where is it now?
I guess his upper canine teeth are no less than 65 mm from the gum line, and it should be extremely large compared to the modern lions.
(10-04-2016, 05:24 AM)peter Wrote: Where was it found and where is it now? By looking at the website, the fossil should mostly belong to the places like France/Netherlands/Germany. http://www.henskensfossils.nl/fossil%20info.htm
The difference between skulls of wild and captive big cats is very outspoken, especially in the teeth. There's no question that the upper canines of wild big cats are both longer and more robust (wider at the insertion in the upper jaw) than those of captive big cats. I'm sure the difference between both groups is statistically significant.
Captivity, therefore, has a major effect on the skulls of big cats. For some reason, lions seem more affected than other big cats. When you see a series of skulls of wild and captive lions next to each other, those of captive animals, to a degree, seem to have collapsed. It's almost as if they have received a blow to the top of the skull, resulting in less elevation, more width, less elevation and superfluous growths all over the place. Skulls of captive lions also are much less dense and, therefore, not as heavy. There are plenty of exceptions, but this is what I often saw. In some months, when I have more time to post again, I will post a new series of pictures with captive and wild skulls next to each other. All skulls will be roundabout similar in size (greatest total length). I will also add measurements. |
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