IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Zambia Wildlife Authority, | |
| Zambia's conservation strategy and action plan for the African lion | |
| 2009 Full Book | |
The conservation of the African lion has continued in an environment of inadequate reliable data regarding the current status of the species throughout its range. The continued inadequate and reliable quantifiable information has created difficulties to range states and international organizations such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) whether to continue or suspend the consumptive utilization of the lion as the case was in October 2004 at CITES 13th Conference of the Parties (COP 13) in Bangkok Thailand. Zambia's contralized geographic location, vast tracts of high-quality habitat, and relatively low rural human population density makes it a potential stronghold for remaining lion populations in southern Africa. Like in many other African countries additional data is required to comprehensively understand the current status of lions in Zambia. There are conflicting statements on the national population estimates with Bauer and van de Merwe estimating the lion population in Zambia at 1,500 + 500 individuals whilst Chardonnet (2002) estimated the population at 3,575. These conflicting estimates clearly demonstrate the urgent need of investment in scientific studies to determine the country's (and the region's) lion population, its socio-economic significance and identify existing and potential threats to the population and prescribe practical solutions to the challenges. It is the conviction of the Zambian government that healthy lion populations can support sustainable trophy hunting and subsequently contribute to socio-economic development of rural populations as an incentive for rural communities to tolerate and help conserve the African lion. The government is also mindful that, unsustainable levels of trophy hunting especially the untimely removal of breeding males can trigger lion population decline through social disruption and infanticide. It is against this background that Government through ZAWA wishes to establish a science-based Conservation Strategy and Action Plan for the African Lion. The key areas of focus will include inter alia promotion of age-based harvesting of lions and setting of hunting quotas based on empirical biological data in addition to the on-going collection of trophy measurements. Specific issues addressed in this overall framework are: i. Standardization of lion survey methods and conducting baseline survey of lion numbers; ii. Setting of sustainable lion off take quotas; iii. Monitoring and Evaluation of the Lion Population in the context of existing Conservation and Tourism programmes; iv. Management of human .. lion conflicts based on a Problem Lion Control Protocol; v. Preparation and implementation of field age determination techniques; vi. Establishment of DNA mapping database;and vii. Development of area-specific lion management strategies especially for GMAs. Zambia's Conservation Strategy and Action Plan for the African Lion was formulated based on stakeholder consultation. The stakeholders involved in the formulation of the document include Government line Ministries, Conservation based Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), individuals with relevant expertise, and the Private Sector. The proceedings from the National Stakeholders Consultative Workshop provided a framework for the preparation of this document as provided for under the East and Southern African regional lion strategy framework. The strategy identifies major problems and challenges and provides guidelines on how to address them. It is hoped that implementation of this document will help in achieving a viable lion population in Zambia. |
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