Gee Whiskers!

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is setting up a census to count the lions in the Kruger National Park in South Africa.This is much needed as the last census was conducted in 2016. As of this August, the research team are halfway through the second leg of their spatial capture-recapture survey. The aim is to determine how many lions there are inside the Kruger Park. 

Incredibly, they are using whisker patterns to identify different lions.

The team meticulously photographs each lion’s face from both sides, focusing on the unique whisker spot pattern that serves as a lion’s fingerprint. Once photos have been captured, the team go through the images, cataloguing them and determining whether it’s a recapture or a new lion. They rely on luck, knowledge of lion behaviour, and sometimes even tips from tourists and guides to locate these elusive and easily camouflaged predators.

A few lions are collared, with the GPS on the collar notifying a lion’s location every few hours, but even then, much of the search comes down to being in the right place at the right time. Just like on Safari!

Partnering with South African National Parks (SANParks) and the Lion Recovery Fund, the EWT uses GPS tracking technology to monitor the movements and habitat use of these majestic creatures. This research will culminate in much needed data – crucial for conservation efforts.

“Understanding the population size is critical,” says Marnus Roodbol, EWT’s lion coordinator and senior field biologist. “It helps us know what we have, and what we need to protect.”