Lions have become vulnerable to extinction with reports of declining numbers but a recent expedition by conservationists in a remote national park in Ethiopia that confirmed the existence of lions brings hope to the king of the jungle.
The lions were discovered in the heart of Alatash National park in North West Ethiopia on the border with Sudan. Although locals knew of the existence of the lions it is only now that the International Union for Conservation of Nature have confirmed its existence. Because of the limited water and environmental factors the numbers of lions in the in the park are estimated to be between 100 and 200 due to limited prey.
“Lions are definitely present in Alatash National Park and in Dinder National Park. Lion presence in Alatash has not previously been confirmed in meetings at national or international level. Considering the relative ease with which lion signs were observed, it is likely that they are resident throughout Alatash and Dinder.” Said Dr Hans Bauer, a renowned lion conservationist working for Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU)
Lions in Africa have been deemed an endangered species with numbers declining at 50 percent since 1980. Now lions occupy only 8 percent of their historic range across Africa.
Lions were thought to be locally extinct in Sudan, so the new findings are encouraging. With the expedition complete, the conservationists look towards communicating with the governments of Ethiopia and Sudan in order to proceed with the conservation of the area to protect the previously undiscovered lion stronghold.
“The confirmation that lions persist in this area is exciting news. With lion numbers in steep decline across most of the African continent, the discovery of previously unconfirmed populations is hugely important – especially in Ethiopia, whose government is a significant conservation ally. We need to do all we can to protect these animals and the ecosystem on which they depend, along with all the other remaining lions across Africa, so we can reverse the declines and secure their future” Said Adam M. Roberts, .” Born Free Foundation and Born Free USA Chief Executive Officer
