About This Project

The world's most iconic species is under threat. Wildlife areas with African lions are becoming fragmented and isolated under increasing human pressure across Africa, and the conservation of those few remaining lion populations is crucial to the survival of the species.

The Matusadona Lion Project is aiming to determine the current population status and trend of the Matusadona lion population in Zimbabwe. Ongoing research is identifying the extent of pressures that may be hindering this important and fragile population's long term viability in a bid to ensure and improve its conservation.

One such pressure is trophy hunting and one study animal has already been shot since the onset of the study. His son and another pride male are now at risk during the upcoming hunting season beginning in March. I am hoping to collar these 2 males ASAP with satellite GPS collars to try and prevent their loss and to better understand their movements within and beyond the park.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe once held Africa's second highest density of lions in the 1990s.

Within a 450km2 area there was +100 lions feeding on a bounty of buffalo. Sadly the buffalo began to disappear after losing vital grazing areas to a rise in the level of Lake Kariba upon which the park is set on. This in turn saw the lions begin to decline.

By 2004 a studied estimated a mere 28 lions remained in the area but no research was available on their viability and/or any other threats the population may be facing.

The population is still remaining at a low density and is therefore susceptible to a variety of environmental and human induced pressures.

In 2014 the Matusadona Lion Project was implemented to fill in the gaps of knowledge surrounding this important population.

What is the significance of this project?

This is the first study to gather any data on the population and prey availability in over a decade. No information is available regarding factors that may be threatening the species nor how these may be mitigated to help ensure their survival.

The African lion is under serious threat across the continent. It has lost a staggering 75% of its natural savannah habitat and populations have been decimated by 80-90% since the 1970s.

It is therefore imperative research is undertaken to help identify, understand and mitigate pressures on the few populations remaining to help improve conservation efforts.

What are the goals of the project?

The projects aims to do the following:

i) determine a precise population figure

ii) understand the ecology of resident prides

iii) identify and investigate threats placed on the population

In regards to trophy hunting, to date 6 lions have been collared for study. However, shortly after collaring our first male lion he was shot by trophy hunters in a neighbouring hunting concession.

There are currently 2 males now also at risk of being hunted in the next hunting season (Mar - Nov) and the project is desperately hoping to collar these animals ASAP with satellite GPS collars. These collars allow for the animal to be tracked regularly with a coordinate so that a researcher may see if they enter a hunting area and fore warn any hunters to avoid choosing this animal for a trophy.