Documenting true lion numbers in Botswana
A team of brave researchers and lion conservationists are currently documenting the true number of lions in Botswana’s national parks. Due to funding, they are not using darts or collars to perform this dangerous task, but rely mainly on tracking them by spoor to find out their true numbers.
The Write News Agency interviewed Marnus Roodbol, a South African who embarked with the team on this remarkable journey that started at the beginning of July this year. Roodbol is a member of the non-profitable organisation, Walking for Lions (WFL) whose mission it is to save the last wild lions of Africa.
Roodbol explained that it is estimated that there may be between 1000 to 2000 wild lions left in Botswana, but he seriously doubts the accuracy of this information and estimates there may be less than 1000 left.
“Many people go on word of mouth with regards to the density of lions. Their numbers are in fact low and this is one of the main reasons why we needed to come here and try to count them. We need more practical evidence of their numbers and movements. All I can say is that we have a lot less than originally thought,” Roodbol says.
Roodbol says that if the current situation remains unchanged, all Botswana’s lions could be lost in the next four to six years. “Human/wildlife conflict is growing by the day and it will just be a matter of time before they do go, unless we step in and act. To help lions, one needs to help communities. Communities need to see that lions can help them with funds, jobs and security.”
The team consists of Roodbol, Erin Wampole (USA), Monique Rossi (RSA), Charmain Joubert (Media Liaison RSA), Sarah and Andy Skinner (UK Coordinators), Mirrinda Thorpe (AUS coordinator), Andreas Gilb (German Coordinator) and Michael Jorgenson (Danish Coordinator and Biologist).
Together they are taking seven months to visit the Nxai Pan Park, Makgadikgadi Pans, Chobe National Park with Savuti and possibly Linyanti. This is not a vacation at a luxurious private game lodge, Roodebol says as they are camping.
“Our base is at a small lodge called Gweta Lodge and from there we depart to various parts around the National Parks and stay in tents. We live very basic because we have to move around a lot as once one area is done, another area needs to be covered.”
Roodebol said they are enjoying the mission immensely but it does take a lot of one. “The living conditions are rough and there is very little luxury but we do it for the lions.”
The team tracks the lions by making use of call ups at night and also by driving the same road every morning and afternoon to determine wildlife movement.
“We try and incorporate the old school with a little bit of new school. Funding has always been limited hence we have no chance to dart and collar any of the lions, so we rely mainly on tracking them by spoor to find them. At the moment we rely heavily on old school spoor tracking, then once a track is allocated, we will follow it until we find the lion or if we cannot access the area, we will use call ups. This is basically playing lion calls or Hyena calls through our speakers to draw them to us.
Roodebol warns that the general public should never try to use call ups as it confuses the animals, puts them under a lot of stress and can influence them negatively in the long run.
“Once they are spotted we use big camera lenses to give them individual “ID” folders and then name them. If we spot the same ones again, we collect GPS data from their location and extra information that is required. Lions can be very territorial so once you have found most of the lions within an area, you need to move off to another to start there.”
Roodebol says the process of counting the lions is going very slow as the areas they have to cover are extremely large.
“It is very difficult to determine the exact number of lions via a vehicle as many areas are not accessible due to small road network, topography and other factors. We have completed stage one of about 17 stages and we will need to go back to stage 1 later during the year, to see if the rainfall has an immediate impact or not.”
The mission is not nearly finished and the team still has a long way to go but spirits remain high.
“I remember the days when my folks took me to the Kruger National Park and lions always made an impression on me. They deserve respect and claimed it without asking. Since then I have been hooked on them and found out a few years back that they are in desperate need of help as their numbers are declining faster than rhinos around Africa. Very little people know this about the lion and I feel that it is our responsibility to be the voice for them.” – The Write News Agency