The Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania, at 47,500km2, is Africa’s largest protected area. It is bigger than Switzerland and twice the size of the US state of Vermont. Due to the sheer size of the Selous, we have focused our research on lions in the Northern part of the reserve.
Lion population numbers are difficult to estimate accurately. The current ‘best’ estimate for free-ranging lions in the world is only 23,000-39,000; with Tanzania supporting 25-50% of the world’s population. Over the last two decades there has been a substantial reduction in lion numbers, with estimates ranging from a 30-50% reduction in population. The Selous may potentially support the continent’s largest lion population. However, these numbers are largely based on ‘best guesses.’ A more accurate estimate of lion numbers is clearly needed, but even more urgent is a detailed study on the impact of human activity on lion populations. Trophy hunting occurs in the Selous, and the Reserve is surrounded by a rapidly growing human population.
With your help, our research will help safe-guard the Selous lions for future generations.
