Protect the Pride: Saving Lions from Extinction

This blog explores the importance of David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s (DSWF) work, supporting the conservation of lions and raising awareness on the challenges they face. We’re also thrilled to introduce our two new lion project partners, and how they are working to protect lion populations in Zambia and Tanzania with DSWF funding. We’ll also be giving our new lion ambassador, named Nashipa, her official debut on the blog. You’ll learn about this resilient lioness, her incredible pride, and why she was chosen as our ambassador. And finally, we’ll detail the different ways YOU can make a difference to the lives of these magnificent creatures through adoptions and donations.

Are lions endangered?

Despite their iconic status and cultural significance, lions are now classified as ‘vulnerable’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and are facing a rapid decline in numbers. With only about 20,000 left in the wild, lion conservation has become an urgent priority.

How is David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) protecting lions?

DSWF protects lions by funding and supporting key ground-based projects and partners working in the field. Our two main lion partners are KopeLion located in Tanzania, and Musekese Conservation located in Zambia. Both of our lion projects are relatively new partnerships, so let’s get into how our funding helps to protect the ‘king of beasts’ (and the queens!).

How KopeLion protects lions

KopeLion protects lions through conservation programmes that help foster positive relationships between the local indigenous people and lions. They focus on mitigating the risks of human-lion conflict and grow lion populations through monitoring populations and enabling new genetic introductions through wildlife corridors.

The three main pillars of KopeLion’s strategy to grow lion populations are:

• Reducing conflict – KopeLion hires wildlife warriors to reduce wildlife conflict. Their wildlife warriors warn herders about approaching lions, provide veterinary care to injured livestock, help herders find lost livestock, and reinforce livestock enclosures (known as ‘bomas’) to protect livestock from predators.

• Building tolerance – KopeLion work to promote a positive shift in the attitude, beliefs, and values of the indigenous pastoralists, which leads to a growth and stabilisation of the lion population.

• Monitoring lions – KopeLion monitors lion populations, movements and genetics through GPS collaring, and tracking to measure the effectiveness of lion conservation campaigns.

These initiatives have fostered a more harmonious coexistence, reopening wildlife corridors and ensuring safety and security for both lions, and local communities.

How Musekese Conservation protects lions

Musekese Conservation work to protect lions by improving law enforcement to mitigate poaching, researching lion populations to monitor effectiveness of conservation programmes, and providing benefits, employment and education to local communities to help integration with wildlife.

Musekese Conservation relies on three key pillars that inform their conservation efforts, which are:

• Collaborate – Musekese Conservation work with numerous organisations across the Kafue National Park to cooperate towards greater conservation of wildlife. They create platforms and initiatives that successfully engage all stakeholders to preserve the natural habitat in the interest of all Zambians.

• Empower – Musekese Conservation provide training, education and employment opportunities for adjacent communities and other marginalized stakeholders. Their goal is to integrate wildlife and communities to promote sustainable living.

• Protect – Musekese Conservation work to protect wildlife by creating anti-poaching patrols. They also build firebreaks to prevent the spread of bush fires. This safeguards the wildlife and communities in and around Kafue National Park.

Musekese Conservation aim to contribute to the conservation of wildlife and their habitats, whilst simultaneously promoting sustainable livelihoods for the communities living within and around the Kafue National Park.

Who is the new lion ambassador?

The new lion ambassador is named Nashipa, she’s a 6-year-old lioness, who together with her strong sisters, make up the hunting force of the Twin Hill Pride, located in Ngorongoro, Tanzania.

Why was Nashipa chosen?

Nashipa was chosen by popular demand. Earlier in the month, we gave our supporters the opportunity to choose our lion ambassador from a selection of three sisters from the Twin Hill pride, and Nashipa came out trumps by a big margin. The name Nashipa is very important as it connects the local people to the lions, being a traditional name in their culture, and means – ‘a cheerful and happy individual who also has a lovely and inviting face. She is very friendly, and most of the time, she isn’t shy.’

How can you help?

Adopt a Lion

DSWF offer lion adoption packs filled with lots of lion goodies from as little as £3 per month. You will receive regular lion updates, a personalised certificate, real-life photo, an artwork print, and the option of a handknitted toy. There are three tier levels, as well as physical or digital bundles to choose from – and you can choose to pay via a one-off donation or through a monthly direct debit. Click here to find out more about our lion adoption packs.

DSWF’s lion adoption

Adopt a Lion

Donate towards lions

One of the most straight forward ways you can protect lions is by donating, which will go directly towards helping protect lions. DSWF accept species specific donations, so you can be assured that your pennies will go towards your chosen species and projects working to protect them. You can make a one-off or monthly regular donation, for any amount you feel able to give.

Donate towards your chosen species

Donate to Lions

Help us fundraise for our Big Cat Appeal

We are also running a Big Cat Appeal from 8 July – 10 August, to raise money for all three big cat species we protect – lions, tigers and snow leopards. Big Cats face many of the same threats – including shrinking habitats, human-wildlife conflict, illegal wildlife trade, poaching, and climate change. We are raising awareness of these issues with our Big Cat Appeal and a donation of any amount will be greatly appreciated and will help protect our beloved big cat species.

DSWF’s Big Cat Appeal

Donate to Big Cat Appeal

The decline of lion populations is a pressing issue that requires immediate action. By understanding the challenges they face and supporting conservation efforts, we can ensure that these regal creatures continue to roam the wild. Let us roar for change and work together to protect the future of lions, ensuring they remain an integral part of the fragile ecosystems they govern as apex predators.

By addressing the complex issues of habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, poaching, and climate change, we can develop strategies to prevent critically endangered local populations of lions from becoming geographically extinct in the wild. Help us to protect lions and restore the balance of nature for future generations.