Protecting Lions

As we reflect on the progress made in lion conservation this year, we’re pleased to share the impact of our efforts in protecting both lions and local communities, made possible by the generous support of our GlobalGiving donors. This year, our dedicated team has worked tirelessly to address human-wildlife conflict and ensure the well-being of both wildlife and people. 

Our field partners in Tanzania successfully treated 444 animals that had been injured in predator attacks and reinforced 79 bomas (livestock enclosures) to prevent further breaches. This work plays a crucial role in reducing retaliatory killings of lions by local communities, fostering a safer coexistence.Our field partner’s Ilchokuti(lion guardian) teams have been instrumental in tracking and retrieving lost livestock, with 1,258 reported cases of lost animals, of which 1,218 were successfully recovered – a remarkable 96.8% recovery rate.  

Our rangers have continued to work tirelessly to monitor lion populations and prevent human-wildlife conflict. Over the last six-months, our teams completed 4,140 patrol days, which equates to 33,120 hours of fieldwork. During this time, we successfully collared and monitored 8 lions, and our teams continue to observe between 160-180 lions across the region. 

Human-wildlife conflict remains a critical issue, and our field partner’s teams responded to 50 lion-livestock attack incidents during this last reporting period. Each of these incidents highlights the need for continued collaboration between conservationists, local communities, and government agencies to protect both wildlife and human livelihoods. 

This year our work in Zambia has been full of remarkable successes in research, monitoring, and community engagement. A new third research vehicle and advanced equipment have been deployed in the field, enabling a 20% increase in lion sightings across our partner's monitoring area. Our partner’s team has also collared one lion pride and re-collared another, enhancing our ability to track and protect these majestic animals. Additionally, Citizen Science Blackview devices have been distributed to research teams and participating lodges, strengthening our partner’s collaboration with local communities.

Encouragingly, no lions within our partner’s monitoring area were snared or lost to human-induced mortalities this year, highlighting the effectiveness of our partner’s preventive measures. The year also saw the deployment, maintenance, and removal of comprehensive camera trap grids, along with the successful completion of an SECR vehicle survey, further enriching our data collection. 

The joint efforts of DSWF and our Zambian field partners are yielding promising results: the lion population has grown from 30 in 2023 to 38 in 2024, with all six collared prides welcoming new cubs this year. However, challenges remain,attempts to collar the elusive Mufolo female lioness have been unsuccessful due to her skittish behaviour. Nevertheless, the progress achieved this year reaffirms our commitment to protecting these iconic predators and their habitats, and we are deeply grateful for your support in making these milestones possible. Together, we continue to ensure a brighter future for lions in Zambia. 

We are proud of the progress made in both Zambia and Tanzania and are grateful for the support that makes this work possible. Your contributions help us safeguard the future of lions and ensure that communities and wildlife can coexist peacefully. Thank you for standing with us in this essential conservation work. 

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF)’s ongoing commitment to lion conservation is exemplified through our two new, distinct, and impactful projects in Zambia and Tanzania, both of which focus on fostering positive relationships between local communities and lion populations while addressing the unique challenges each area faces.

In Tanzania, the conservation programme designed by our project partners is designed to reduce human-lion conflict and support the growth of lion populations by ensuring their safety and facilitating the introduction of new genetic lines through wildlife corridors.

The approach is centred around three primary pillars: reducing conflict, building tolerance, and monitoring lion populations. To reduce conflict, our partners employ wildlife guardians who play a crucial role in warning herders about approaching lions, providing veterinary care to injured livestock, assisting in locating lost animals, and reinforcing livestock enclosures—commonly known as bomas—to better protect them from predators. These efforts are complemented by initiatives aimed at fostering a positive shift in the attitudes and beliefs of the indigenous pastoralist communities, promoting a more harmonious coexistence with lions. This cultural transformation is vital for the long-term growth and stabilisation of the lion population. Additionally, the programme closely monitors lion populations, movements, and genetics through the use of GPS collaring and tracking, which allows for a more effective evaluation of conservation strategies. Through these integrated efforts, the project has successfully reopened wildlife corridors and enhanced the safety of both lions and the local communities.

Across the border in Zambia, DSWF supports a conservation initiative focused on protecting lions through a combination of improved law enforcement, research, and community integration. Similarly to our partners in Tanzania, our Zambian partners also operate on three key pillars: collaboration, empowerment, and protection. Collaboration is achieved by working with various organisations across the national park to coordinate and amplify conservation efforts, ensuring that the natural habitat is preserved for the benefit of all. Empowerment involves providing training, education, and employment opportunities to local communities and other marginalised groups, with the goal of promoting sustainable living practices that integrate both wildlife and human needs. The protection pillar is dedicated to safeguarding wildlife through the establishment of anti-poaching patrols and the construction of firebreaks, which are essential for preventing the spread of bushfires that can devastate both wildlife and local communities.

Together, these two projects demonstrate a holistic approach to lion conservation, addressing not only the immediate threats to lion populations but also the broader social and environmental factors that influence their survival. By fostering positive relationships between local communities and wildlife, these initiatives are helping to secure a future for lions while also promoting sustainable livelihoods for the people who live alongside them. DSWF remains committed to these goals, continuing to support and expand its efforts to protect lions and their habitats in these critical regions.

As always, thank you for your generous support in providing a more sustainable future for the lions of Tanzania and Zambia, and the communities that live alongside them.

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