2012 lion survey confirms that the Niassa Lion (and spotted hyaena) population is increasing

 

Niassa Lion Project

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Niassa-Lion-Project/151483654889759
Our 2012 lion survey confirms that the Niassa Lion (and spotted hyaena) population is increasing. There are currently 1000-1200 lions inside Niassa and this is one of the most important strongholds for lions in the region. We do the survey every 3-4 years. Unfortunately this increase may be driven mostly by the increasing meat available from elephants killed by poachers as bushmeat snaring is still a major threat. Whatever the reason we are grateful for any sign that the lions are holding their own under such enormous threats.

 

Lady Liuwa Bonds with Young Lioness

Lion Voice.org

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lion-Voiceorg/342295765785084

 

African Parks Network has reported that Lady Liuwa and the young lioness have been released from the enclosure and have remained together, signs that the two lions are forming a pride. The lions were released on October 19, 2012, and have separated only for Lady to hunt.

This is fantastic news for Lady Liuwa and the lions of Liuwa Plain. The attempts to end Lady’s isolation and establish a viable lion population have been fraught with tragedy. In October of 2011, two young lionesses were translocated from Kafue National Park. With Lady likely infertile, it was anticipated that the young lionesses would mate with the two males and begin the re-establishment of natural lions on the Liuwa Plain. Unfortunately, in June of 2012 one of the young females was killed in a poacher’s snare.

Lady Liuwa Bonds with Young Lioness | Lion Voice

http://www.lionvoice.org

 

Presence within a pride’s territory is not a sign of membership as many lions are transient or “squatters”.

 African Lion & Environmental Research Trust

http://www.facebook.com/lionalert

 

Presence within a pride’s territory is not a sign of membership as many lionsare transient or “squatters”. Membership of a pride can only be distinguished by an amicable greeting ceremony performed between pride members. Any member without the confidence to perform the ceremony will be treated as outsider. Lions will defend their territory against lions of the same gender, but most encounters do not result in fighting; usually one pride will skulk off under the watchful gaze of the other.

 

All lions are extremely sensitive to heat

African Lion & Environmental Research Trust

http://www.facebook.com/lionalert

 

All lions are extremely sensitive to heat, and many lion behaviours seek to minimize heat stress. Sleeping in the day and limiting most activity to the night is one example; others include lying on their backs to expose their thin-skinned b

ellies, resting on high rocks to catch the breeze, and panting after exertion or large meals. Unlike dogs, lions do not have cool, wet noses, and unlike people, they don’t sweat. Their only means of thermoregulation are breathing (panting) and radiating heat from the skin. Body Temperature: 38.05 – 39.16°C / 100.5 – 102.5°F

 

The lions’ retractile, highly curved claws can be up to 38mm / 1½ inches in length.

 African Lion & Environmental Research Trust

http://www.facebook.com/lionalert

 

The lions’ retractile, highly curved claws can be up to 38mm / 1½ inches in length. Lions have four claws on their back feet but five on the front where the dew clawis found. This acts like a thumb and is used to hold down prey while the

jaws rip away the meat from bone. Set well back from the other claws the dew claw does not appear in the print. The claws grow as a series of layers; as each layer wears away it is shed and a new sharp-pointed claw is exposed.