Desert Lions

[Matias]

I've been viewing this topic, and I see many posts with lions from Kalahari, Etosha (Hobatere concession), Kgalagadi. They are lions that shelter semi-desert areas, they have a harder life rhythm than some lions, but they are not adapted desert lions, which is the focus of this topic. On page 6 - post 81, I made some distinctions about these lions, nothing very scientific, but didactic.

Adapted desert lions are located only in the Kunene region, northwestern Namibia. What makes them unique is their adaptation to this very harsh environment of water and prey.

Recently the official website of the project: https://www.desertlion.info/ updated a lot of information that was frozen since 02/19/2019.  Despite a poaching incident (death of a lioness and consequently her 3 cubs) the numbers are stable. The biggest challenge is drought, affecting prey density and encouraging lions to prey on rural animals. The prognosis is that this dynamic will remain for many years to come. Positive point is new lions to habitat the coastal side, feeding on seals, a readaptation to older times.

And in support of this, conservation communities appear to have assimilated a greater understanding of the economic value of lions. Small communities, wandering breeders and commercial farmers are the biggest challenge for the conservation of these unique felines in the world. The greatest afflictions are certainly in the post-pandemic world. How to guarantee financing for maintenance of conservation projects in the communities of Kunene (38 in all), given this interruption of the entire tourist flow. Now it seems very clear that conservation needs stable means of financing to guarantee the conservation of people and wildlife. We need to expand the conservation toolbox, which is much wider than those that rely on tourist activities.

We recently lost Mr. Garth Owen-Smith - admittedly the man who revolutionized conservation in this country, when in the early 1970s he encouraged the idea of inserting rural communities into conservation. Founded IRDNC - Integrated Rural Development And Nature Conservation.

The man dies, the legend is born.

Access the IRDNC link: HERE
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