In 2009 In Search of the African Wild Dog was published, full of beautiful photos and thoughtful text by this week’s guest bloggers Roger and Pat de la Harpe. Then the Endangered Wildlife Trust suggested they should do a book on lions, ‘the next big conservation issue’. That lion book has hit book shelves across South Africa.
‘Fired up at the thought of tackling a new challenge,’ the De la Harpes write, ‘we started doing research on these magnificent cats and found that they are indeed in a great deal of trouble.
1. In the last 50 years the number of lions in the wild has dropped from about 450 000 to approximately 23 000, with an estimated 43% of existing populations in decline.
2. There are today about 26 000 rhinos on the African continent and their tenuous state has attracted huge international concern, especially after the recent surge in rhino poaching. In contrast, the dire state of Africa’s lions is hardly known.
1. In the last 50 years the number of lions in the wild has dropped from about 450 000 to approximately 23 000, with an estimated 43% of existing populations in decline.
2. There are today about 26 000 rhinos on the African continent and their tenuous state has attracted huge international concern, especially after the recent surge in rhino poaching. In contrast, the dire state of Africa’s lions is hardly known.
3. The growing need for additional land for human settlement throughout Africa has resulted in a dramatic shrinkage of the natural environment. This in turn has lead to an increase in human/predator conflict, with revenge killings for the loss of livestock being a major cause of lion deaths. Over-ambitious hunting quotas in some African countries, as well as poaching for skins and body parts have also taken a toll on lion numbers.
4. The lion situation in South Africa is to some extent different from the rest of Africa. Aside from the country's two large parks, the Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, there are approximately 45 small fenced reserves, which have around 700 lions. These populations are becoming increasingly isolated, which threatens their genetic diversity and long-term survival.
‘As a result of our research and in a desire to raise public awareness of lion conservation issues in South Africa, in October 2010 we started a journey to highlight their plight. Little did we know that their story would be so complicated!
‘In the course of our travels we came across many amazing people doing essential work to try and find solutions to the issues surrounding lions and their survival. We spoke to scientists, ecologists, game rangers, trackers, hunters and those involved in animal rights groups and were struck by everybody’s commitment to lions in various different ways.
4. The lion situation in South Africa is to some extent different from the rest of Africa. Aside from the country's two large parks, the Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, there are approximately 45 small fenced reserves, which have around 700 lions. These populations are becoming increasingly isolated, which threatens their genetic diversity and long-term survival.
‘As a result of our research and in a desire to raise public awareness of lion conservation issues in South Africa, in October 2010 we started a journey to highlight their plight. Little did we know that their story would be so complicated!
‘In the course of our travels we came across many amazing people doing essential work to try and find solutions to the issues surrounding lions and their survival. We spoke to scientists, ecologists, game rangers, trackers, hunters and those involved in animal rights groups and were struck by everybody’s commitment to lions in various different ways.
'Our excursions took us to the Kalahari with its endless red sand dunes and vast skies, the ancient landscapes of the dry north-western areas, the Kruger National Park and its surrounding private game reserves, and the lush green valleys of northern Zululand in our home province of KwaZulu-Natal. We spent days and weeks with lions, in conditions that varied from the searing heat of a Lowveld summer to the freezing cold of Kalahari winter mornings.
‘After 18 months of photographing and writing, our book In Search of the African Lion is now available.’
Published by Sunbird Publishers, it will be available in Exclusive Books, CNA and other major book stores for R320. You can also get a personalised, signed copy posted directly to you at the same price. Email roger@africaimagery.com if you would like to buy a signed copy.
For more information about Roger and Pat de la Harpe’s projects see their website, Africa Imagery. http://www.africaimagery.com/
‘After 18 months of photographing and writing, our book In Search of the African Lion is now available.’
Published by Sunbird Publishers, it will be available in Exclusive Books, CNA and other major book stores for R320. You can also get a personalised, signed copy posted directly to you at the same price. Email roger@africaimagery.com if you would like to buy a signed copy.
For more information about Roger and Pat de la Harpe’s projects see their website, Africa Imagery. http://www.africaimagery.com/
