Recovering Angola’s Lion Population

Panthera has an agreement with the Angolan government to provide financial and technical support for the management of the vast, 30,000 square mile park. There are few places in Africa with greater potential for lion recovery. At present lion numbers are estimated to be as low as 30 individuals, but a park of this size could potentially support thousands of individuals if it was adequately protected and if prey populations were allowed to recover. In 2022, LRF support enabled Panthera to work with The National Institute for Biodiversity and Protected Areas to expand the KAZA Aerial Survey to include Luengue-Luiana National Park. This is the first-ever aerial survey conducted in the park, and the results will significantly contribute to our understanding of species distribution, particularly in areas that are difficult or unsafe to access on land. LRF’s support will continue in 2023, as Panthera compiles results from the aerial survey to identify areas to focus on setting up camera trap surveys and conducting spoor surveys across the park. In 2023, LRF’s support will also facilitate the development of a human-wildlife conflict mitigation program with communities, while continuing routine educational visits with local schools.