Numbers of lions are declining rapidly across the African continent, threatened by human-wildlife conflict, reduction in prey, disease and habitat loss. Fauna & Flora International is actively trying to deepen our understanding of the reasons for the decline and develop plans to help conserve this magnificent species.
Fauna & Flora International is undertaking an applied research project in the Niassa National Reserve, Mozambique, as part of a wider research programme on a range of carnivores, including wild dogs, spotted hyenas and honey badgers. Constituting 11 million acres of virgin miombo woodland savannah, Niassa is one of the largest conservation areas in Africa, and one of the largest miombo forest ecosystems in the world. Fauna & Flora International helped to secure the future of the Reserve in 2003, with $1million from the Arcadia Fund, its land purchase fund. Despite years of civil war, cyclones, floods and droughts, the area remains home to the highest concentration of wildlife in Mozambique. It is also home to about 21,000 people from the Yao and Macua ethnic groups.
Our lion research is gathering key data that will allow Fauna & Flora International to develop an effective lion management plan for the reserve, and includes:
Fauna & Flora International is also exploring mechanisms for the longer term sustainable management of the reserve, development and implementation of wildlife based tourism, training of rangers, in-depth biodiversity surveys and anti-poaching activities, development of community-based micro-enterprises and provision of basic health and education services.
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