Recently, UNESCO decided to remove Niokolo Koba National Park in Senegal from the list of endangered World Heritage sites. This is a fantastic achievement for the Senegalese government and all involved parties. The park, established in 1954 and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981, is one of the last habitats for the critically endangered West African lion and the African wild dog.
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Joint project between Leo Foundation and the National Centre for Biological Sciences
Leo Foundation Board member Laura Bertola is working with dr. Uma Ramakrishnan and other scientists at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bangalore, India, and spent April and May at the institute. In this group there is great interest in the application of genetic techniques to understand the fate of small and isolated populations. From the Leo side, this work is supported by WWF INNO.
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A genetic tool for protecting Kenya’s lions
As one of the most iconic wildlife species in Africa, lions are a major source of income for Kenya. Large numbers of tourists are attracted to Kenya’s lion hotspots, as to catch a glimpse of the big cat during a safari. However, to keep populations healthy and thriving, protection measures need to be implemented. In the case of lions, such measures are often aimed at avoiding conflicts with local communities.In Kenya’s National Parks, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), a state corporation under the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, is responsible for the implementation of such measures. The Leo Foundation is working closely with KWS, to support them on their mission. Using a broad range of methods for surveying and monitoring, KWS now also integrated genetics as part of their toolbox. A recent scientific study was conducted to understand how genetics could help protect Kenya’s lions.
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In Memoriam Kennedy Kaminju Kariuki 05/11/1988 – 28/12/2023
On the 30 th of December 2023, we received the sad message that our Kenyan colleague, Kennedy Kaminju Kariuki died on December 28 in the NW hospital in Nairobi at the age of 35 years from organ and heart failure. Kennedy was a PhD candidate at the CML, Leiden University.
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A video documentary about our work in Nepal
It’s hard to describe the atmosphere of the jungle, the sounds of the birds, the buzzing of the insects. Similarly, it’s hard to grasp what it’s like living with tigers, if you’re just a visitor, and don’t have to live with them every day.
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Fundraising for the Leo Foundation at ‘de Dag van de Natuur’
On October 4, GlobeGuards organized the largest auction of nature experiences at Royal Burgers’ Zoo in Arnhem. For the 12th time, member organizations of GlobeGuards were given the opportunity to submit unique nature experiences offered for auction. Leo Foundation was also present.
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New article published! DNA barcoding proves the contribution of small preys in lion diets
The Leo Foundation supports students and researchers in projects which contribute towards the conservation of large carnivores.
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Article published in Cat News on critical situation in Waza National Park
An article to which three of our board members contributed, has been published in the Spring Edition of Cat News. It discusses the deteriorating conditions lions in Waza National Park, Cameroon, are currently facing and recommends a strategy for restoration.
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Leo Foundation thanks the Abri voor Dieren board members with a special event about tiger projects in Burgers’ Zoo
On Friday 2 June, Leo board members Shekhar Kolipaka, Monja van Woensel and Hans de Iongh presented the results of current tiger projects in Nepal and India to the board of Abri voor Dieren in Burgers’ Zoo.
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Leo foundation supports education project around the Gir reserve, India
Over the past year, the Leo Foundation has supported an education project to strengthen the protection of the Asiatic lion. This population is the only population of lions in Asia and consists of about 600 animals in the Gir reserve, India.
Education is one of the means to gain support from the local population for the protection and conservation of this lion population. The support is given through Meena Venkatar of partner organization Carnivore Conservation and Research (CCR) in India. The project is carried out in the Gir-Ambardi Complex, East of the Gir reserve. The program included several educative sessions at 20 schools, thereby reaching over 750 students (aged 10-14). As part of the project, posters, leaflets and other education materials were distributed among the schools. Students were actively engaged in inventories of the biodiversity around their schools and learned about ways to prevent conflicts between lions and livestock farmers.
The project will be continued in 2023 with support of the Leo Foundation.
