DESERT LIONS Talk in Windhoek by Dr P.Stander 26/06/13

In the 1980s Namibia’s desert lions were all but extinct. However, these lions with a “behaviour out of the ordinary” (National Geographic) have come back. Today, about 120 desert-adapted lions live in the Kunene, “one of the world’s last great wildernesses”. This is fantastic for tourism, as tourists love to see lions and in combination with the magical landscapes of the area, this is an asset that can rival the famous East African safari destinations. But, it also comes with challenges, as conflict with humans and their livestock has increased as well. Human-lion conflicts need to be actively managed. Especially, local people must benefit from tourism as they have to support the lions’ conservation, if their long-term survival is to be ensured. Almost synonymous with this is Namibia’s “desert lion legend” Dr. Flip Stander. He has been studying them and working for their survival since 1998.

On 26 June, Dr. Stander will give a presentation of his work with Namibia’s desert lions in Windhoek for the first time! Everybody with an interest in Namibia’s amazing wildlife is cordially invited. It is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to get first-hand information about the desert lions and the unique work being done. And with it, Dr. Stander would like to thank the many loyal Namibian supporters, who have given their assistance to the Desert Lion Conservation Project over the years.

The Desert Lion Conservation Project was started by P Stander in 1998. He worked for the Ministry of Environment and Tourism for 23 years, studying the ecology of large carnivores. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge in 1994, and his thesis on the evolution of sociality in felids, was awarded the “T H Huxley Prize” by the London Zoological Society.

TOSCO Trust is a non-profit organization linking the tourism industry to local people, conservation organizations and scientists. By supporting conservation projects and local people who share their land with wildlife, TOSCO Trust contributes to safeguarding Namibia’s natural assets. TOSCO Trust closely cooperates with Desert Lion Conservation.