The terms “Rare” and “Endangered species” are often applied to animal species as a misnomer. Many known animal species on the planet, especially larger vertebrates, are given a status, correctly known as a category which is assigned by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The category in turn is driven by various criteria, based on many ecological factors such as prevailing threats to the species, overall population, genetic diversity, inherent ecological rarity and available habitat. Species are split into seven major categories, namely Least Concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Extinct in the Wild and Extinct. In addition, two more categories, namely Data deficient (scientists do not have enough data to evaluate) and Conservation Dependent (species cannot survive without active human intervention) are also sometimes used. Therefore, a species can be rare (inherently low density such as a black bear) without actually being “endangered”.
Here at Ubuntu, we adore lions. This picture was taken at a massive private reserve in the Kalahari where lions roam free in their natural habitats and are protected by the very rangers they sometimes try to eat. This is a lion as it should be, wild and free. The African Lion (Panthera leo) is categorised as IUCN Vulnerable with a decreasing trend in population that if not reversed, will lead to the species being reclassified as IUCN Endangered. In the last quarter of a century, 75% of the world’s wild lion population has been lost due to human-wildlife conflict. poaching for the illegal bone trade in Asia, rampant poisoning, habitat loss and urbanisation, illegal hunting and diseases such as tuberculosis. Today, perhaps as few as 23 000 lions in total may remain wild on the African Continent, down from perhaps 400 000 in the early 1900s. As a point of pride, and in honour of our previous name, Ubuntu is embarking on an ambitious and exciting new lion project in Southern Africa in the latter half of 2020. Watch this space…
