Watch: Lions, Africa’s iconic predator, have returned to the plains of Liwonde National Park in Malawi for the first time in 20 years! A total of nine lions have just been reintroduced to Liwonde (from South Africa and from Majete Wildlife Reserve also in Malawi), through a series of translocations to return the species to the park. Five additional lions were also translocated to Majete Wildlife Reserve from South Africa to increase the genetic diversity of the reserve’s pride. Lion populations have declined by over 90% over the last 100 years as a result of habitat loss and fragmentation, lack of prey, human-wildlife conflict and poaching for the illegal wildlife trade. Now, fewer than 20,000 lions remain across Africa, and have gone extinct in 26 African countries. But through initiatives such as these, Malawi is providing sanctuary for wild lions and is bringing them home. This extraordinary initiative was made possible with support from the Dutch Government, the Lion Recovery Fund, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and Leonardo DiCaprio. The return of these lions is part of a larger predator restoration initiative for Liwonde, where cheetahs were also reintroduced last year. Since 2015, African Parks along with the DNPW Malawi have drastically reduced illegal activity; almost 31,000 wire snares have been removed, wildlife conflict has been reduced and now tourism is on the rise, positively impacting local people. Projects like these show that with determination, political will and community and donor support – we can create a better future where nature’s return benefits both people and wildlife. Click here to read the full story: https://www.africanparks.org/lions-return-liwonde
