tums to his beloved country of birt Namibia, to gs lee Beenie ae eC tad oe oN Te ign ds nse fund " nce ne en Seren det ego fe any fr hv ho zal here despite the harsh conditions in order oy ‘escape human persecution, which hes al = Ig Bil Se ade he oes vai, wich hse peng ec cl ova = a ised | s seer See i's fitted with ‘tlie monn mh le poe ote cea ear etn anamibia “The most amazing thing is the smell of their feet, sort of a sweet, musky smell. What an awesome ‘feeling to be so close,’ said Dr Philip Stander with a deep sense of passion, burying his face in the paw ofa darted desert lioness called Queen. His love of these predators is undeniable. longside the Skeleton Coast National Park in north-western Namibia, the Kunene region is home to the unique desert lions. The Hoanib pride is one of nine which, for 17 years, have been monitored and studied by Dr Philip (Fp) Stander, a word authority on lions and founder ofthe Desert Lion Conservation Project. Genetically the same as any African ion, desert lions have successfully adapted over generations to this extreme desert ‘environment, where other lions wouldnt survive. Roaming freely in an unprotected 55 000km: area of desert and semi desert, feeding on widely (and sparsely) distributed girafe, ‘gemsbok, springbok and sometimes ostrich, i no easy ‘eat for any predator. The danger of being poisoned, shot ‘nd killed is constant, asthe lions sometimes cross into territory occupied by rural inhabitants, resulting in ‘considerable stock losses. Human-lion confit i= a major concern and the ongoing batle is how to balance the needs of farmers wit the preservation ofthe lions. Local ‘communities sometimes capitalise on lucrative offers from rich trophy Inunters who kl for sport and poaching poses an ever looming threat. There has tobe a good reason for aman to leave a secure job and live with no fixed income or permanent home for months, alone inthe desert, ‘monitoring and studying these predators under brtal and dangerous conditions. We ston the banks ofthe Hoanib River under the shade of| fanana tee as Philip tll me his story. ‘hiry years ago, he witnessed an unimaginable sight lions feeding ‘off seas ata beach on the Skeleton Coast. The ikely explanation is that «drought and human persecution had forced them to this rich food source. "Seeing thes ions at the coast blew my mind, Iwas an incredible ‘ind, which stl drives me today” he says, reliving that defining moment. Sadly the lions were all shot dead, never tobe seen again ~ or s0 he thought This event accupied his mind for many years and he knew hed ‘eventually return to search fr clues about their possible existence, bat he didat know hovr this could be accomplished. ‘A year before the sighting, Philip had started a career asa game ranger at Etosha National Park, His curiosity and passion for scientific research into lions grew. Night after night. in his own time, hil be found inthe field observing and documenting their behaviour. After publishing everal articles in scientific journals, he became recognised as ‘capable scientist. His future at the ‘Ministry of Environment & Tourism hinged on attaining a formal degree. ‘After fourhard years at Cornell University; USA, he received an ‘unexpected invitation to bea guest speaker at a conference in Rome. ‘While in Etosha I discovered the collaborative hunting behaviour of lions, which was new to science” he recalls. "A pride of ions will occupy same positon and perform the same function at each bunt, Tike players in a rugby game! Sewubonanamibia These young desert eas ee ay ed coors Pures acre remy eau Ce ee! “This was the subject of his talk which was a resounding success, Cambridge Univers professors atthe conference were so Smpressed that they offered him an ‘opportunity to study forhis PRD ~ but no money todo so, Hearing of bis plight, philanthropist Caroline Getty sponsored him, This allowed him to compete a two-year Masters degre in one year, followed by ‘PRD, the dissertation of which carned him a prestigious award ‘Returning to Namibia as a ‘qualified scientist meant he could {do much mote for lions and lion research, Not long aflerwards, he received news of 20 ions living inthe eastern mountains. Could these he survivors ofthe lions hei sighted along the coast so many years before? Indeed, they were, His dream hail finaly heen realised and he knew what he hhad to do, In 1998 he founded the Desert Lion Conservation Project, funded entirely from his oven savings Collecting data and documenting eet ee population dynamics in this vast area ee ees: can only bedone using GPS and stclite. ert ee ‘racking devices, as well asa reliable vehicle all of which proved very costly. Philips cre ced, but his website cee, at funds were soon depleted, but his web . ae J Delon erty oname:Dese cadapted lion” is mora appropriate 2D Theycon go wiht water up > six months of longer, deriving fuids from their prey. All carnivores have this capability, provided they're not used to drinking regulary 1B Ter cot ey nd he ales, have longer mane, since they don't Tose at much fr as other ions do while ‘moving through danse bush. The daset ‘also provides @ clean, heathy and parasite free environment In Savannah Africa ons will walk 3.dkm per day, with @ home range of 50-100km?. Desertadapted line walk an ‘average of 12:25km per day living in @ range of 10 000-30 000km= 5, ing frais apart i mothers to live and hunt independently “behaviour unknown anywhere else, ‘They’te independent hunters at 18 months, two years earlier than ther lions 17 era om vking devices hota the lone kill every three 10 16 dys 8 Tezsgszive bawoon 50am, partculorly between 49am, Activity increases in bright moonligh. During the day they spend 43% of their ime in rivers, 28° in mountains ‘and 21% ot springs. 10 sere rer on population is 150. bbecame an unexpected lifeline, as people from around the world came forward as sponsors, "100% ofthe funds must goto the lions he insisted, preferring donations in the form of equipment, rather than cash ‘is dream now is to establish a research centre in the Hoanib region, where new realms of science can be explored covering. all the region’ natural inhabitants, Good progress has already been made on the current brown hyena research project. Knowing each lion intimately, his mind {sso in tune with them that he ives by their clock, usually working all night, every “A pride of lions will occupy the same position and perform the same function at each hunt, like players in a rugby game” night nd managing with ery ea Nat fm rong mute sae ise rand changes ea eaten eRe er omen aie pre eek tance toca > They the offspring Sewubonanamibia Suse HOURS result of injuries sustained in al INDHOEK mawetancons oflions being so few, a death attractions close enough amazing selection of can cause havoc in breeding ta do a walking tour. You imported German foods cycles, and Philip feared the can alzo grab a local and delicacies, at great cubs wouldnt survive, He sll taxi or vist the Windhosk prices. Centaurus St. struggles emotionally to speak Tourism Information 1 Z00 PARK about the Honest death, as hed Centre for registered PLAYGROUND: Situated followed her fom birth, Nature, transport options inthe centre of town on however, took ts course and het Even if you only havea Independence Av, this lsh sisters raised her cubs, teaching day or to, here are some park's @ great place to them to hunt and survive inthis ploces you shouldn't miss: enjoy a coffee or the sun, formidable environment, Nowe 1H JOE'S BEER HOUSE: This while the kids run around. theo years od they provide the legendary institution offers Il INDEPENDENCE AVE is key to the faturebreeding success | delicious German and ‘one ofthe main city sheets of thie species and Philip will do Namibian food, icacold and buzzes with people, everything in his power to protect | beer and good retail stores ond coffee them, They'll soon achieve tenlertainment, The decor shops, Windhoek’s first celebrity status with the release ‘lone ~ consisting mainly of pharmacy, Luzen Apotheke ofthe long-awaited documentary Vanishing Kings made by Will and Leanne ‘memorabilia collected by (opened in 1910), i stil ‘Steenkamp, who filmed this pride daily over 18 months, the original owner, Joe operating. Youll also find Philip Believes that once an animal has such Gross ~is worth o vst. many of Windhoek’: value, conserving and protecting it become Neleon Mandela Ave, historical ond culral ‘important. Tourism and the revuling benefits Tal: +264 61 232457. buildings, such as to local communities ar vital in achieving FOR MORE 1 GATHEMANN, Gothemann House, the this goal He encourages visitors to this RESTAURANT: Enjoy Kronpinz Hotel and the spectacular area, eventhough lions are TUE game, German Nama War Memorial Sheree ine THE LIONS OR Species ndtooce ML FOSTST MALL GRAF imeracton withthe animals hess “Only OAS fore csssisinen. —avoldswn he popi desperate on habituated o peoples [really] OCA 175 independance Ave. pdastcn walkray fern dangerous and unpredictable. Animals just Tal: 1264 61 2 the Clock Tower to Weenill dont ike (her), Their fear of humans is greater MAERUA UFESTVLE Mall and you'llfind a than their association with food. CCENTRE: Pop in here to visit beautiful selection of local "My greatest achievement is when lions FLAUNT, a deli that serves and international ers and acknowledge me. They doal know me and have never seen delicious salads, gourmet crafts. Stop atthe Gibeon mein perton Ihey only have aelationehip with my vehide thats asfarasit | sandwiches [Banting ‘Meoories, which are 06s Tind that test in’ me to be hugely rewarding]. My pay back eptons if you prefer) and mounted in steal columns “his arcuate brillant man, with bumble beginnings and an dlcious sweet and and estimated to be ‘uncompromising vision, serve wall na profound way. Weowemach tohim | savoury snacks. Nex! door 600 millon years ld for preserving the desert-adapted lions in his inimitable, totally committed way. | is @ good, old South Ingrid Wood ‘Without him, i’ likely their annihilation would continue FURTHER INFORMATION: Ciylfermation Cents «264 61 TES Rear ecenne Fig Neate oN Ne rere: Of Never get out of your vehicle the riverbed, as flash floods can in the presence of these lions. This occur, and don’t sleep outside your | Windhoek at dusk isn't only for your own safety: tent or vehicle. Lions won't lions see a vehicle as ancther deliberately attack you if you're ‘cnimal, but as long as it doesn’t asleep in the open, but the harass them, they'll accept it younger ones are curious and ‘Wrong behaviour by visitors ‘could investigate - with a towards any animals may result in potentially very bad outcome. serious consequences for other Be vigilant, well prepared and visitors later. carry a broom with you wherever I Thore are no specific eamping you go. If you make new krack, fecilties along the Hoanib River, brush over them so tha! they don't but no permit is required fo set up remain for years os scars in his your own camp. Find a spot out of — ecologically sensitive region, Sewubone