Scientists Have Just Discovered a Hidden Group of Lions
“Conservationists are celebrating...after discovering a previously undocumented group of lions in remote parts of Ethiopia.
African lions are classed as a “vulnerable” species with about 20,000 lions left in the wild...
...University of Oxford’s Conservation Research Unit says it has found... a population while exploring the Alatash National Park in North West Ethiopia...
The team, led by Dr. Hans Bauer, believe... that not only are there lions present in the Alatash National Park but that they are also likely present in the neighboring Dinder National Park in the Sudan...
The Born Free Foundation, a leading wildlife charity, has been able to confirm the existence of the lions through use of motion-sensitive cameras...
It’s hard to over emphasize just how important this discovery might be. Lions were thought to be locally extinct in the Sudan, so the fact that they may now exist...gives hope that in time the species could be reintroduced & maintained there.
Additionally, there’s a chance the lions may belong to a subspecies whose numbers are currently thought to be less than 1,000... If that does prove true, this would be a significant boost to that dwindling population which could play a role in maintaining overall genetic diversity for central & southern African lions.
What’s more, the outlook for these particular lions, both in Ethiopia & the Sudan, seems positive...There are fewer pressures on these lions, for example less people to bother the lions, &... poaching isn’t a problem in the area due to how relatively remote it is & the fact that there are safeguards in place created by the national parks.
...the wildlife parks have reportedly indicated they will take every measure they can to ensure that the lions are preserved in these areas. Ethiopia has a strong record of working well with conservationists...”
Steve Williams
February 3/2016
care2.com
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