Abstract

GIS, a tool in a holistic approach to lion conservation
Track: Parks, Natural Reserves, Fisheries, and Wildlife Management
Authors: Christine Larsen

The lion population of Africa is rapidly declining due to several threats. ALERTs African Lion Rehabilitation and Release into the Wild Program is a pioneering approach which seeks an answer as to how to successfully use captive bred lions to create a source for reintroduction of lions into the wild. In September 2010 the Ngamo release site, a stage two 1.6 square km fenced area, was opened, and a pride of eight lions was released onto this site. Since the release, observations have been recorded several times a day using a handheld GPS. This presentation covers the use of GIS in stage two of this program and how GIS can be used as a tool to help understand the Ngamo Prides utilization of the release site with the help of Spatial and Statistical Analysis. Software used: ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Online.