In this respect, much like the elephant, the lion is a keystone species in the savannah ecosystem of sub-Saharan Africa.Īside from their ecological significance, lions also hold cultural significance across much of their historic range, including Eurasia. Bird populations take the brunt of this, and the consequential alteration in vegetation community structure ultimately contributes to climate change. Reductions or total loss of lion populations from ecosystems trigger meso-predator release, a specific type of trophic cascade resulting in increased numbers of smaller carnivores ordinarily limited by the apex predator. This in turn not only allows for healthy, well-nourished herbivore species, but also maintains habitat for smaller animals. This holds intrinsic value in suppressing grazers and browsers, reducing herbivore population densities and preventing vegetation from being decimated. By feeding heavily on herbivore populations, and thereby regulating them, lions indirectly shape the vegetative communities on which their prey feed. This ecological niche they fill exerts a powerful influence on the ecosystem processes and trophic interactions within savannah habitats. Lions are unrivalled in their role as apex predators, dominating other big cats such as cheetahs and leopards by stealing kills and occasionally killing cubs and adults. They are generalist hypercarnivores (unfussy and prolific meat-eaters), hunting a wide range of prey from giraffe and buffalo to porcupines and honey badgers. The fate of lions holds importance beyond their own species. Ecological and cultural significance of the lion. Without proper consensus between the relevant authorities, however, the effectiveness of efforts to save the lion may be futile. Establishing and maintaining connectivity between remnant populations, most found in far between protected areas, is critical to the species’ survival, as is the quelling of lion-human conflict occurring on the boundaries of these protected areas. The threats to Africa’s largest felid are becoming more prominent with the growing human population, and lion conservation priorities must be identified and acted upon with haste. These catastrophic losses have undoubtedly had likewise catastrophic impacts on ecosystems, as the lion is an apex predator, ruling from the top and regulating prey populations in lower trophic levels. The king of the jungle (or more accurately, the savannah) is under siege, with the lion more vulnerable now than ever before.Īs human encroachment continues to threaten the lion’s kingdom and all within, this fearsome and awe-inspiring big cat – which holds such significant cultural, ecological, and economic value for the continent – has been reduced to small, isolated populations scattered across sub-Saharan Africa.Īn estimated 20,000 lions remain in the wild today, down from 200,000 in 1975 and double that in 1950. They all chased away the lions,” said Bhatia.īharwad was discharged after treatment at a health centre in Savarkundla, he added.Losing the legacy: the plight of the lion Losing the legacy: the plight of the lion “Upon learning about the attack, several villagers rushed to the spot to help Bharwad. In his statement to forest officials, Bharwad said after being attacked, he started shouting to draw the attention of villagers and seek their help. The lion’s nails left a scratch on Bharwad’s arm, he said. While doing so, one of the lions attacked him with its claws,” said Bhatia. “Bharwad rushed towards the lions to scare them away. According to Bhatia, when Bharwad reached the hilly area, on the outskirts of the village, with his goats and sheep, two lions tried to attack his livestock. The incident took place on July 21 at Ambardi village of the district, around 240 from Ahmedabad, when the shepherd, Bhavesh Bharwad, had taken his sheep and goats to a nearby hilly area for grazing, said Range Forest Officer Kapil Bhatia.Īmbardi’s boundary touches the forest area of the Gir National Park, the last abode of lions in Asia. A shepherd was injured while trying to save his goats and sheep from two lions on the outer limits of Gir National Park in Amreli district in Gujarat, forest department officials said on Monday.
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