Lion Conservation
Lion Encounter operates the African Lion Rehabilitation &
Release into the Wild Program on behalf of and supported by ALERT
(African Lion
& Environmental Research Trust)
www.lionalert.org
Given the rapid decline in free-ranging lion populations
(between 80 and 90% in the last 50 years) and the greatly reduced
potential for their natural re-colonisation of some areas, ALERT
supports assisted lion reintroduction into specific sites. Such
areas would include localities where lion populations have been
eradicated, but that have been identified as high priority for the
re-establishment of the species, have been shown to support
adequate wild prey and where the causes of the original population
loss in the past have been identified and are being
mitigated.
Whenever possible, reintroductions include the release of young
adult wild lions captured for the purpose of translocation and
release.
Where there is no available source population of suitable wild
lions, ALERT instigates a multi-stage program to reintroduce lions
originally bred from captive individuals. Captive lions which lack
hunting skills are bred in fenced areas, their offspring raised
around humans and take part in the lion walk program as operated by
Lion Encounter.
Because these offspring are used to humans, it is easier to
study them, learning various characteristics such as behaviour
patterns, traits necessary to form a successful pride, how they
develop various hunting skills, etc. Later, once these offspring
mature and learn to hunt, they're used to form prides designed to
maximize the breeding and survival of offspring. These prides are
released in large enclosures (10,000 acres plus) with natural game,
and carefully shielded from human contact. Their cubs are then
released at an appropriate age into the wild after pre-release
training by their parents.
For more go to the ALERT site.
Holistic Approach
The environment however is shaped not just by geography and
bio-physical factors, but also by socio-economic, legal and
political ones. ALERT takes a holistic approach to conservation
recognizing that its actions must address all these factors if its
programs are to succeed.
As such ALERT also comprises the Conservation Centre for Wild
Africa that conducts conservation and research programs for a
diversity ofAfrica's wildlife.
In addition, the ALERT Communities Trust (ACT) works with all
sectors of society throughoutAfricato promote the development of
sustainable conservation management plans. ALERT is proud to foster
partnerships with local communities that collaboratively develop
and implement African solutions to African challenges. ACT promotes
community action by raising awareness, motivating and empowering
people to protect and restore their environment and improve
livelihoods.
Programs operated by Lion Encounter
Release Studies, Hunting success and hunting strategy in
lions
The lion release program affords the opportunity to observe
lions hunting in a way that is very difficult with wild lions. Such
studies will assist in understanding the strategies that lions use
whilst hunting; what co-operation is present, and whether
individual lions learn techniques or hunting styles that when used
improve their hunting success rate. Data is also collected on
all chases, stalks and kills made by the cubs both while walking
and on those young lions in the Night Encounter program to assess
the variable development of hunting success. Factors such as ground
cover, wind direction and moon luminosity on night hunts are also
recorded to ascertain if such variables contribute to the overall
success in a hunt, and therefore determine if the captive-bred
lions are achieving hunting success comparable to that of
wild-borne cubs.
Assessment of character traits in African Lions
It is believed that lionesses can take any of three roles in a
pride; that of alpha, hunter or mother. Similarly, males can be
good hunters, pride defenders or fathers. Given the spectrum of
necessary individuals and skills that contribute towards a
successful pride, it is important that the prides released into
stages two and three of the African Lion Rehabilitation &
Release into the Wild Program are well-balanced to ensure all parts
of pride life are tended to. Therefore, all stage one cubs are
observed at three-month intervals for a number of behaviours that
can help predict the role which they may excel at, leading to
improved release pride selection.
Activity budgets in African lions, Zimbabwe and Zambia
An activity budget is based on a simple ethogram and is a way of
representing an animal's behaviour by recording the duration of
defined activities; such as resting, social behaviours and
eating.
The behaviour of an animal is controlled by the endocrine and
nervous system; hence it is affected by the environment the animal
is in. It is quite obvious that the behaviour of an animal in
captivity will differ from that of an animal in its natural
environment, as captive environments usually restrict animals from
performing some species specific behaviours, which can manifest in
abnormal behaviours usually termed as stereotypic.
The primary objective of this study is to identify how age,
gender, enclosure size and complexity affect the activity budgets
of captive bred African lions. Measuring activity levels in lions
provides important information about their behavioural ecology and
is a relevant factor in ex-situ management; providing information
on the possible causes of any abnormal behaviour and results on the
healthiest social group formations and enclosure stimulation.
For more go to the ALERT site.
