Buzz
Environmentalists concerned about the declining lion population in Africa can now feel reassured. A team from the University of Oxford’s Conservation Research Unit has identified a previously unknown group of lions in a secluded area of northwest Ethiopia, as reported by New Scientist.
Using camera traps to photograph the animals, researchers validated local accounts of these lions. The pride resides in the savannahs of Alatash National Park, close to Ethiopia’s border with Sudan. This discovery is crucial for scientists, indicating that the vulnerable species may be more widespread than earlier estimates suggested.
“Throughout my career, I’ve frequently updated the lion distribution map,” explains Hans Bauer, the expedition leader. “I’ve removed numerous populations over time. Adding a new one now is both a first and likely a final occurrence for me.”
Alatash National Park is situated near Sudan’s expansive Dinder National Park, and Bauer suggests that the combined lion population in both regions could range between 100 and 200. This is an encouraging prospect, especially given that Africa’s wild lion population has dwindled to around 20,000 and continues to decrease.
“The outlook is relatively optimistic,” Bauer remarked. “The Ethiopian government’s recent decision to designate [Alatash] as a national park marks a significant step forward. Now, it’s crucial to assist them in enhancing park management, and it appears they are approaching this responsibility with great dedication.”
