Homo Sapiens and Panthera Leo: Coexistence to Prevent Extinction Formatted: Line spacing: single

African Wildlife Foundation

 Table of Contents

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Lion Hunts ………. 4
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Human Expansion ……. 45
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Figure 2 ………………… 56
Human-Lion Conflict ……. 56 Formatted ...

Coexistence Is the Solution ………. 57 Formatted ...

History Speaks for Itself ………. 67 Formatted: List Paragraph, Indent: Left: 1", Line spacing:
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Figure 3 ……………. 68
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Relationship with other Animals ………… 68 Line spacing: single
Coexistence resolves Problem ………... 79 Formatted ...
Flaws and Possible Resolves …………. 710 Formatted ...
How Solution Will Fix Problem ………… 710
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Conclusion ……………. 711
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References ……………. 912
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Abstract
The purpose of this white paper packet is to provide a detailed explanation , as to why
humans and lions can mutually coexist with one another and cease the ongoing conflict between
the two species. This packet I iterates the reason as to why lions are facing endangerment and
how we might be able to resolve this. This My packet demonstrates how these creatures could
possibly be soothed and used for mankind’s personal benefit. It shows the techniques and
methods used in the past to prove that possibility, showing that even these dangerous and fierce
some animals can be tamed. Finally, using these findings, a solution is I formulated with the
intention of a way as to how we can protecting these creatures and ending our struggles with
them.

Feline Endangerment
Over the last few decades, the lion population has suffered a devastating decline with
their numbers continuing to dwindle. Before the 1950s, the lion population was estimated to be
around 84,000. By the 1950s, their numbers were reduced by half of that approximation and by
2010, that number was reduced by half again, as displayed in Figure 1. Despite claiming to be
“King of the Jungle”, lions face numerous obstacles that threaten their very existence, and even
with their enhanced instincts and remarkable skills, they are simply unable to overcome the
challenges hindering their growththrown at them. There are many difficulties that they face, the
ones that are mentioned below are the main issues that require our full attention and cooperation.
 Figure 1

Lion Hunts
While lions are known for their exceptional hunting skills, they are often the ones that are
being hunted. A majority of the conflicts between lions and humans are sparked by human
provocation; lions are typically not interested in killing humans and will only fight for self-
defense and/or the safety of their young ones. Rarely are lions hunted for the medical properties
of their bones and internal organs, and instead they are hunted for often the target of sport. Since
3000 BCE, they have become a sought-out prize for many hunters. Their pelts are regarded as
being highly valuable and are either used to obtain wealth from market trade or displayed as
trophies, to recognize a hunters’ prowess. These hunts also cause further complications in a
lions’ pack, as other lions will compete for the mantle of leadership, if their previous leader has
perished due to a hunting incident. This internal struggle results in more casualties for the pack
and once a new lion claims the responsibility of leading the others, it will kill the cubs sired by
the previous leader.

Human Expansion
One of the many ongoing crisiscrisis’s humans face is over-population. The human
population is rapidly increasing, as a result people have been expanding their communities to
land inhabited by natural wildlife. While this has been shown to be an effective solution for us, it
is a major problem for the nearby wildlife as the expanding agriculture, settlements, roads, and
industrialization forces them to migrate out of their homes and relocate elsewhere. However,
when lLions are forced to migrate they can possibly settle in environments that are out of the
jurisdiction of conservation groups wildlife protection agencies and as a result, they are unable to
provide their support against poachers and other factors contributing to their loss. Furthermore,
lions could move to areas with a lack of prey for them to hunt and their deprivation of a
substantial food supply causes them to die of starvation. Figure 2 below shows the areas
inhabited by lions in Africa and the number of lions dwelling there. As it is currently shown, a
majority of their locations are on the borders and edges of human civilization and their limited
amount of space often draws conflict with the locals.

Figure 2

Human-Lion Conflict
Lions are usually unable to avoid an area overflowing with human life. Even when they
attempt to migrate into another area, they are still very likely to encounter human beings, and this
results in a conflict between the two species. When a lion pack is deprived of its prey, they will
often travel to a nearby farm in a local village and eat the farmer’s livestock. Often times farmers
are forced to kill these creatures to prevent economic loss and they implement multiple ways on
how to deal with them. Usually, farmers will resort to deadly force and shoot a lion on sight, if it
attempts to devour the farmer’s livestock, but they mainly resort to poison as a more effective
solution. Farmers will contaminate a carcass with poison to exterminate the lions causing an
even further decline in not only the lions’ population, but any other predators who ingest the
toxin, such as vultures and hyenas. Another method farmers use is installing electric fences
around their farm to prevent them from entering. These cruel methods are the result of the
decreasing lion population, but it doesn’t have to be this way. The answer to our problems is
coexistence.

Coexistence Is the Solution

When a solution is being formulated to save the lions from the clutches of extinction,
often the answers will be relocation or establishing organizations and proclamations, dedicated to
protecting the lion population from the greed of poachers. These ideas are in no ways ineffective
or terrible, but I believe we have overlooked a possible approach that could resolve the conflict
between humans and lions and; allow them to coexist within our communities and with each
other, rather than isolate them from the rest of the world. Lions are ferocious creatures, but like
most animals they are capable of being tamed. However, few have attempted to do such and
those that have managed to train a lion haven’t Few attempts have been made to establish a
relationship with the feline species, which is understandable since most people fear them,
because of their appearance and what they are capable of doing, and don’t considered integrating
them into their societisocietyes. Lions I believe though that we shouldcan be allowed them to
reside with us us peacefully and history shows that it is quite possible.

History Speaks for Itself

Lions have been seen in various cultures portrayed as deities or protectors, some cultures
worship lions or symbolize them in festivals. In China, a pair of mythical lions called Shishi
guard the entrances to Buddhist shrines and temples and once protected the tombs and residences
of the Chinese imperial family. Dancers also use masks and outfits resembling lions to celebrate
the Chinese New Year. Many cities also adopt lions as their symbol and have marble statues of
lions placed throughout their city, such as the statue in Venice of the winged lion, St Mark.
Furthermore, lions have been proven to be tamable creatures and can been trained appropriately.
A prime example is the circus, ringmasters often use lions in their performances, as part of their
main act. While some lion tamers have used cruel methods to control them, most of them are
rescued from captivity as a cub, slowly develop a bond with each other, and finally teach it to
perform tricks and techniques with the promise of a reward. One of the most influential animal
trainers, Carl Hagenbeck, trained lions and other creatures without excessive force and allowed
them to perform in large arenas, rather than cramped cages. His lions did things never before
seen: they rode horses and tricycles, played on seesaws, and served as hurdles for dogs. Another
tamer named Claire Heliot, would have her lions present at dinner parties and offered them
choice morsels, as shown in Figure 3. The ideological worships of lions and the successful
domestication attempts made shows us that history has made it possible for humans and lions to
coexist peacefully.
 Figure 3

Relationship with other Animals

Lions will hunt and eat almost any creature it comes across, however there have been
instances where lions have a mutual relationship with other species, predominantly canines. For
instance,I there is once witnessed a leopard at the San Diego Zoo, who resides with a golden
retriever in the same enclosure and they both act like siblingsnd they both got along with each
other just fine. Another instance of this interaction occurred at the Garold Wayne Interactive
Zoological Park, where a lion cub was raised alongside a dachshund at birth and even when the
lion matured, it still maintained a deep sibling-like love with its canine companion. Relationships
such as these between two species that are often said to have a rivalry with each other
,demonstrates the possibility that lions could be tamed, by having a canine companion alongside
them. shows that it possible that human beings can also have a similar relationship with lions.

Coexistence resolves Problem

The above-mentioned information gives us a possible way to properly allow lions to
coexist within neighboring communities. First, facilities should be placed around villages that
experience conflicts with lions or have a heavily populated lion habit surrounding their village.
These facilities should employ the most well-qualified and experienced animal tamers
Second, these facilities should provide tranquilizer guns to the local farmers and use them
whenever a lion attempts to invade their property. Any tranquilized lions should be moved to
these facilities, where they will be trained by these lion tamers and teach them how to peacefully
interact with humans. Once they have been taught, the lions should be allowed to reside in the
neighboring communities and be provided a portion of food every day , so they don’t attempt to
feed off the livestock. Furthermore, some of the lion tamers should remain in the village to keep
a watch on the lions. Lion cubs should also be placed into these facilities as well and be released
until adulthood, they should also be given a canine companion to grow up alongside with, so that
they remain calm and collected.

Flaws and Possible Resolves

I realize that Tthis idea may seemound dangerous , illogical, to implementand
convoluted, but it isn’t isn’t entirely impossible. The possibility of I know villages rejecting the
idea has been made awaresome villages would be concerned about allowing such dangerous
creatures to come and go into their homes as they please, that is why tests should be conducted
first and use the results to determine whether or not it is safe, which is why . Also, a general
consent should be taken from the locals in order to decide if lions such a thing should be allowed
to reside within their communities. Furthermore, I’m aware that trying to implement thismy
method would be costly, but we could collaborate with other animal protection-related
organizations, such as PETA, and raise the necessary money via fundraisers and donations.
Finally, each village might not be willing to share their food with the lions, so the facilities
should be responsible for distributing food out to the locals , so they can feed the lions without
depleting their food supply.

How Solution Will Fix Problem

If thisese method idea is to be implementedused and everything goes accordingly, we can
prevent the deaths of many lions. If the lions are provided with a surplus of food, they won’t
attempt to hunt the livestock off of the surrounding farms and they will be allowed to roam free
on additional land, solving the issue of limited space and loss of livestock. Finally, if these lions
are under the protection of the locals, it will make it exceedingly difficult for poachers to hunt
them. Furthermore, some lions could be trained to defend the villages against poachers and
invaders, like how dogs are trained to detect bombs in the military, thus giving each village their
true guardian lions. While this solution isn’t 100% guaranteed to resolve all the issues
experienced with humans and lions, it’s still a possible way to ensure that lions aren’t to face
endangerment and people no longer have a lion problem.

Conclusion
Overall, the relationship between human beings and lions has barely been explored in
history. Humans are prone to fight back against those we fear, and while this sounds rather
presumptuous, a review of the past shows that it is true. Instead, we should attempt to implement
this solution to explore the possibility of taming and using such ferocious creatures for
humanity’s benefit. By By doing so, this endangered species will be under the constant
surveillance of neighboring communities, protecting them from the dangers of poaching. If all
goes accordingly, then this could be a breakthrough for humanity, other feral species could
possibly be trained in a similar manner and be used for beneficial purposes. It is important to
take into consideration, the bond between humans and animals. These creatures have existed on
this planet long before humans were birthed, and if we aren’t cautious enough then it’s likely
they will remain on the planet after us, unless we take a different approach. Trying something
different and new might just prove to be the key to the lions and our survival.
 References
Elliot, Nic. “Human-Lion Conflict Problem Requires Big Solutions – National Geographic
Blog.” National Geographic Blog, 21 Dec. 2015,
blog.nationalgeographic.org/2015/12/21/human-lion-conflict-problem-requires-big-solutions/.

King, Amber. “This Is What Happens When Four Dachshunds Befriend a Lion.” Wide Open
Pets, 12 Jan. 2017, www.wideopenpets.com/this-is-what-happens-when-four-dachsunds-
befriend-a-lion/.

“Lion Numbers Plunge as African Wilderness Succumbs to Human Pressure – National

Geographic Blog.” National Geographic Blog, 6 Dec. 2012,
blog.nationalgeographic.org/2012/12/06/lion-numbers-plunge-as-african-wilderness-succumbs-
to-human-pressure/.

“Opinion: Why Are We Still Hunting Lions?” National Geographic, National Geographic
Society, 4 Aug. 2013, news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/08/130802-lions-trophy-
hunting-extinction-opinion-animals-africa-conservation/.
Ronca, Debra. “How Lion Taming Works.” HowStuffWorks, HowStuffWorks, 16 Mar. 2009,
entertainment.howstuffworks.com/arts/circus-arts/lion-taming2.htm.

Smith, Lydia. “Swedish zoo admits killing nine healthy lion cubs because they became 'surplus'
animals.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 12 Jan. 2018,
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/zoo-kills-lion-cubs-sweden-nine-surplus-animal-
cruelty-boras-djurpark-bo-kjellson-a8155546.html.

“The king of the jungle is under threat.” African Wildlife Foundation, 26 Feb. 2018,
www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/lion.