Episode 2: Lions: The keystone species of the African savanna

Did you know every lion has their own roar, much like a name, particular to that lion only?

In this episode, Laurel Neme and Jeff Barbee learn fascinating details about African lion conservation with noted researcher Andrew Loveridge.

We discuss the importance of lion ecology and behavior, and the threats facing Africa’s last wild lions, which number only around 24,000. We dive into the advances and challenges of lion conservation, and do a deep dive into his personal experience studying Cecil the lion, whose death in July 2015 sparked international outrage.

What you might not know? Cecil’s death also resulted in strong global interest in lions and their conservation after he was killed by an American trophy hunter.

Guest:

• Dr. Loveridge is a senior researcher at Oxford University’s WildCRU (Wildlife Conservation Research Unit) and the Director of the Lion Program for Panthera, a wild cat conservation organization.

You can check out Dr. Loveridge’s book, Lion Hearted: The Life and Death of Cecil & the Future of Africa's Iconic Cats at this link: https://www.amazon.co.za/Lion-Hearted-Future-Africas-Iconic/dp/1682451208

You Can Help Support Lions:

Support the critical work of Panthera:

https://panthera.org/

Lion Basics:

https://panthera.org/cat/lion

Top 10 Lion Facts You Might Not Know:

https://panthera.org/blog-post/top-ten-lion-facts-you-might-not-know

Love lions? You can help support community lion conservation by following Ewaso Lions

https://ewasolions.org/

Or the Lion Guardians

https://lionguardians.org/