AFRICAN
PRIDE Interaction, Education and Conservation
By: Jessica White Photos: Bushtracks Africa / Andrew Muswala Photography
H
istorically, lions have been regarded as a symbol of strength and rank as one of the fiercest of all wild creatures. This is an animal of such stature and power, with such a domineering presence, that it is commonly known as “King of the Beasts.” It takes approximately 110 days to bring a lion into this world. It took just one decade for the population of these iconic creatures to plummet from 50,000 to 15,000. Per the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the rate of depletion is as rapid as 42%.
At the turn of the 19th century, the earth’s savannas teemed with a charismatic mega-herbivore, the rhinoceros. Their rough skin, impressive horn and commanding presence is reminiscent of the Jurassic era. Today, there are barely 28,000 rhinos surviving in the wild. In 2008, poachers robbed the earth of 5,940 African Rhino. This dramatically escalating epidemic is driven by the belief that medicine from the horn of this endangered species can cure a wide range of ailments, from hangovers to cancer. The demand has placed a massive burden on the fragile rhino population. White rhinos were pushed to the brink of extinction before a century of conservation efforts brought them back into the Near Threatened classification.
18
TRAVEL & LEISURE ZAMBIA
Without the dedication of conservation programmes, Africa is in danger of losing two members of her Big Five family. In an effort to underscore the severity of the problem, the conservation group Lion Encounter grants guests the unique opportunity to interact with two of Africa’s most extraordinary and exemplary ani-
“These animals symbolise Africa’s strength and beauty, as well as the unity between humans and wildlife. They deserve our respect and protection.”
mals. Accompanied by a professional, passionate research team, guests can revel in this rare experience while gaining valuable knowledge about the importance of protecting local wildlife . These programmes are instrumental in generating awareness about the importance of conservation and this has earned them the support of the eco-aware organisation Bushtracks Africa. Dan Matthews, Volunteer Project Manager and keen conservationist, believes that lion are “an iconic species worldwide, and an integral part of Africa’s ecosystems. This, coupled with their tourism benefits, makes them an extremely special animal.” Matthews asserts that, from personal experience and observations, there is a very good chance that lions can be released into the wild from a captive source. Kutanga, Kariba and Kwali are three
