"We shot to scare them but instead of them trying to run away, they shot us," he laughed before adding more seriously: "I used to like camping in the bush but now I think it's too dangerous.". Community Conservation. Habitat loss has led to some populations becoming small and isolated, especially in West Africa. In theory, the lions are supposed to hear the buffalo and come for an easy meal. 2) Improving the ability of rangers to detect and respond to poaching through strategic GPS-based SMART (Spatial Management and Reporting Tool) monitoring, planning and adaptive management of patrolling. THREATS More than 90% of the lion’s original range has now been lost across Africa. Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletter are free features that allow you to receive your favorite sci-tech news updates in your email inbox, © Phys.org 2003 - 2020 powered by Science X Network. The best time for tourists is between November and May. It is estimated that fewer than 50 lions survive in Nigeria. Rangers walk through the dry bush as they search for lions during a lion population count at Yankari Nature Reserve in Nigeria. It is estimated that fewer than 50 lions survive in Nigeria. Under a starless night sky in Yankari Game Reserve, Martial Kiki stands on the back of a battered pick-up truck searching for the last lions in Nigeria. WCS APPROACH Over the next 25 years, our goal is to increase lion populations by 50% in all of the WCS sites where lions occur. Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletters are free features that allow you to receive your favourite sci-tech news updates. This includes 1) Ensuring that rangers have the ability to do their job effectively, through focused ranger training programs, provision of equipment, and ensuring that they are compensated adequately. Although lions are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, lion populations in West Africa are particularly small and fragmented and have been recently classified as Critically Endangered. Yankari Game Reserve contains Nigeria’s largest elephant population, currently estimated at around 100 Since 2014 Yankari has been co-managed through a partnership agreement between WCS and Bauchi State Government, with funding support from Bauchi State, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Elephant Crisis Fund and the Wildlife Conservation Society Under a starless night sky in Yankari Game Reserve, Martial Kiki stands on the back of a battered pick-up truck searching for the last lions in Nigeria. Under a starless night sky in Yankari Game Reserve, Martial Kiki stands on the back of a battered pick-up truck searching for the last lions in Nigeria. We envision the lion playing its full ecological role as a top predator across a significant part of its original range, and continuing to serve as an icon for Africa’s wild places. This decline is due to increasing human populations, and the spread of subsistence and commercial-scale agriculture; latterly, climate change is also playing a role, and corridors connecting populations are being lost due to the spread of development, agriculture, and of large infrastructure projects. Recent genetic studies have highlighted the difference between lions in West and Central Africa from those in southern and East Africa, suggesting that lions in West and Central Africa may merit distinct taxonomic status. "You know when you are standing on the same ground as the lion, you feel how strong they are, you can feel your heart beating. I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. "We just need money to do it.". Only 2 lions remained in the park in 2011. WCS fully recognizes that it is essential to involve local people in conservation efforts to save lions in Nigeria. Lion body parts in traditional medicine Table 1 indicates the 22 lion body parts utilized for healing and preventive medicine in the three provinces surrounding Yankari Game Reserve (YGR). In Yankari our schools-based education outreach program includes regular field trips to Yankari and focuses on the ecological importance played by lions in helping to control herbivores and disease. The lion population is on the verge of extinction. During aerial censuses of Yankari in 2006 and 2011 cattle were by far the most abundant species recorded although the situation has improved considerably since WCS signed a co-management agreement with Bauchi State Government in 2014. From 2005, the protected area is considered a Lion Conservation Unit jointly with the Kainji National Park. Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. To protect the animals and allow rangers to patrol more efficiently, fences need to be built around the perimeter of the park, he added. Your feedback will go directly to Science X editors. Effective Law Enforcement and Protected Area Management is the key to conserving lions and their prey. Yankari Game Reserve Under a starless night sky in Yankari Game Reserve, Martial Kiki stands on the back of a ... lions during a lion population count at Yankari Nature Reserve in Nigeria In contrast, most West African parks with lions operate on a budget of just $36 per square kilometre. Lions may also be killed for cultural reasons, including traditional use of lion parts for medicinal use in northern Nigeria. During aerial censuses of Yankari in 2006 and 2011 cattle were by far the most abundant species recorded although the situation has improved considerably since WCS signed a co-management agreement with Bauchi State Government in 2014. There is no simple solution to saving the West African lions, whose males have shorter manes than their southern counterparts, and in December were listed as endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. With the loss of their natural prey lions have little option but to feed upon domestic livestock, the increase in human-lion conflict inevitably results in their direct persecution – typically by poisoning livestock carcasses. Then Kiki would shine a floodlight on the hungry, nocturnal cats and count them for a population estimate. I have always wanted to go to Yankari for family reasons *inside joke* and when the awesome guys at Sehembz Travels & Corona Concepts Int’l decided to package a tour, I definitely knew this was it! At the same time, human population growth and agricultural expansion is causing an unprecedented influx of nomadic livestock into protected areas as alternative grazing reserves disappear. Leopard long presumed to be extinct in the park, but in April 2017, one adult male was captured on WCS camera-trap. Yankari was originally created as a game reserve in 1956, but later designated Nigeria’s biggest national park in 1991. As an apex predator, it is a keystone species ecologically, and its population status in an area is indicative of the health of the ecosystem as a whole. WCS fully recognizes that it is essential to involve local people in conservation efforts to save lions in Nigeria. Yankari game reserve is one of Nigeria’s best parks for observing wildlife. can go and entertain with your family, I had met with different peoples from United State, England, Germany, Australia, Kenya, Cameroon … By the end of his trip, it's clear Kiki's survey will only serve to document the last lions living in Nigeria unless a dramatic conservation effort is put in place—and fast. At the same time, human population growth and agricultural expansion is causing an unprecedented influx of nomadic livestock into protected areas as alternative grazing reserves disappear. Yankari Game Reserve is Nigeria's richest wildlife oasis, home to important populations of lions, hippos, and many other species - as well as the last viable elephant population left in the country, and one of the largest remaining in all of West Africa. The Yankari Game Reserve was one of the best tourist destinations in Africa. Hello fam, Journeyman Rocks is here again and this time I just returned from a fantastic trip to Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State. Features. Yankari game reserve is located at Bauchi state Nigeria, is the best reserve in Nigeria where you can go with your family and friends to see different type of animals like, Lion, Elephant, Gorillas, Crocodiles and many more, there are beautiful places in the reserve where you. Lions are found in two places in Nigeria, Yankari Game Reserve - where there are about five - and Kainji Lake National Park, where about 30 of the … 3) Improving the efficiency of patrols by establishing intelligence networks through local communities to identify potential poachers and their mode and area of operations. Yankari is one of the only two sites in Nigeria where lions still exist. This Premier Game Reserve is spread across 2,058 sq km of Savanna woodland. The main threats facing lions today are: habitat loss and degradation, reduction of wild prey and retaliatory and other illegal killing of lions. And i want to review on marshall caves i appreciate all nature has to offer out there, the caves is very interesting … A wildlife park originally created as a game reserve in 1956, it was designated as Nigeria’s biggest national park in 1991. WCS’s long-term vision is for lions to be at carrying capacity in all of the sites where we are working to conserve them. Numbers for West Africa are dire, with just 400 lions remaining in the region There are only two areas in Nigeria home to lions: Kainji Lake National Park, in the northwest, where some 30 cats are living, and Yankari, where … In Yankari our schools-based education outreach program includes regular field trips to Yankari and focuses on the ecological importance played by lions in helping to control herbivores and disease. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. Not even a paw print. Lions may also be killed for cultural reasons, including traditional use of lion parts for medicinal use in northern Nigeria. "But not in Yankari. To find out more, read our Privacy Policy. This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, and provide content from third parties. WCS, the "W" logo, WE STAND FOR WILDLIFE, I STAND FOR WILDLIFE, and STAND FOR WILDLIFE are service marks of Wildlife Conservation Society. With chronic mismanagement in the past and underfunding, Yankari today is struggling to attract the funds it needs to preserve its last lions. Yankari Game Reserve (Nigeria) (AFP) - Under a starless night sky in Yankari Game Reserve, Martial Kiki stands on the back of a battered pick-up truck searching for the last lions in Nigeria. Although lions are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, lion populations in West Africa are particularly small and fragmented and have been recently classified as Critically Endangered. In terms of size, the park covers 870 square miles (2254 square km). Optional (only if you want to be contacted back). "In five, 10 years, lions can disappear completely from Nigeria," said Kiki, a languid, boyish man with broad shoulders wearing a worn beige baseball cap. Cross River National Park (Okwangwo Division), Cross River National Park (Oban Division), Yankari_Quarterly Report_January-March 2020, Yankari_Quarterly Report_October-December 2019, Yankari_Quarterly Report_July-September 2019. Habitat loss has led to some populations becoming small and isolated, especially in West Africa. Parks famous for their lions, including Tanzania's Serengeti Park and South Africa's Kruger National Park, run on a budget of approximately $500 (450 euros) per square kilometre (0.3 square miles). In addition, Yankari Game Reserve also supports important populations of lion, buffalo, hippo, roan and hartebeest. A map indicates checked paths during a lion population count at Yankari Nature Reserve in Nigeria. You really feel that this is the king of the jungle," he said. The main threats facing lions today are: habitat loss and degradation, reduction of wild prey and retaliatory and other illegal killing of lions. Your opinions are important to us. "Yankari is one of the few areas where fencing makes sense because the situation is so urgent," said Henschel, speaking from Libreville. 2) Improving the ability of rangers to detect and respond to poaching through strategic GPS-based SMART (Spatial Management and Reporting Tool) monitoring, planning and adaptive management of patrolling. Fortunately, lions can breed rapidly, so have high recovery potential if threats can be abated. Yankari National Park is an important refuge for over 50 mammal species including African bush elephant, olive baboon, patas monkey, Tantalus monkey, roan antelope, western hartebeest, West African lion, African buffalo, waterbuck, bushbuck and hippopotamus. Yankari has rich wildlife resources. "The situation has become worse. Thank you for taking your time to send in your valued opinion to Science X editors. From the white Toyota Hilux, its sides lacerated by branches, the 31-year-old researcher from the republic of Benin plays the tormented sound of a distressed buffalo calf over a megaphone. It covers an area of about 2,244 square kilometers (866 sq mi) and is home to several natural warm water springs, as well as a wide variety of flora and fauna. Recent genetic studies have highlighted the difference between lions in West and Central Africa from those in southern and East Africa, suggesting that lions in West and Central Africa may merit distinct taxonomic status. Yankari, 225km east of Jos, is Nigeria's best-known national park for observing wildlife. Without urgent and concerted action lions will continue to decline and may in time disappear from Nigeria completely. In Nigeria, lions have disappeared from unprotected areas and are nowadays found ... Population size of lions in Yankari Game Reserve as revealed by faecal DNA sampling - Tende - 2010 - African Journal of Ecology - Wiley Online Library We do not guarantee individual replies due to extremely high volume of correspondence. Field work is difficult. Email from: Please, allow us to send you push notifications with new Alerts. We visit yankari in may 2011 and we enjoyed the reserve ; and we saw wildlife such as lion, bushbuck, monkeys, waterbuck, and we did nt see elephants and others. Effective Law Enforcement and Protected Area Management is the key to conserving lions and their prey. CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE The lion Panthera leo is one of the world’s best known and most charismatic species. As an apex predator, it is a keystone species ecologically, and its population status in an area is indicative of the health of the ecosystem as a whole. Fortunately, lions can breed rapidly, so have high recovery potential if threats can be abated. In addition, Yankari Game Reserve also supports an important population of the critically endangered West African lion (one of only four known populations that still survive) as well as buffalo, hippopotamus, roan and hartebeest. More than 90% of the lion’s original range has now been lost across Africa. This decline is due to increasing human populations, and the spread of subsistence and commercial-scale agriculture; latterly, climate change is also playing a role, and corridors connecting populations are being lost due to the spread of development, agriculture, and of large infrastructure projects. The Yankari game reserve is known for having one of the biggest populations of elephants in West Africa, approximated to more than 300 in 2005. There has been no response, no tracks," he said, inadvertently likening the situation to one of the darkest scenes from Disney's "The Lion King", when the protagonist's pride is overrun by a pack of mangy scavengers. There are only two areas in Nigeria home to lions: Kainji Lake National Park, in the northwest, where some 30 cats are living, and Yankari, where … Identify the news topics you want to see and prioritize an order. The biggest draw is the 300-strong population of elephants – a few lions also survive there. "I expected to see more than this," Kiki told AFP in the heart of the reserve, an expanse of savannah the size of Luxembourg in Nigeria's northeast, dubbed the country's "richest wildlife oasis". The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Tech Xplore in any form. Bloody skirmishes are common, so Kiki is escorted at all times by six armed rangers, who have had to defend him more than once during his buffalo calls. Supporting pastoralist livelihoods, including access to markets, is considered essential to secure their support for lion conservation. This has led to some populations becoming small and isolated, especially in West Africa.In Nigeria this precipitous decline is linked to severe depletion of their natural prey base due to hunting and habitat loss. Note: WCS’s long-term vision is for lions to be at carrying capacity in all of the sites where we are working to conserve them. Email to: I personally saw a pride of Lions in 1998. The park still holds reasonable numbers of buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, hippos and plenty of baboons. 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