Desert Lion Conservation

Namibia supports a unique population of lions that lives in the Northern Namib Desert. This small population of desert-adapted lions survives in extreme desert conditions; they exhibit unique adaptation to their environment and live in a harsh habitat of sand dunes, gravel plains and barren mountains, and occasionally forage along the beaches of the Skeleton Coast. Nowhere else in the world can free-ranging lions be seen amongst sand dunes or on a beach. As a result, the iconic "Desert" lion has become a prominent feature in Namibia and is highly valued, both aesthetically and financially, by conservationists and the growing tourism industry alike. These lions should be viewed as a national asset to Namibia and we need to conserve and manage them wisely for the benefit of the Namibian people, as well as the broader international community. Lions and other large carnivores have a substantial impact on the resident rural communities of the Northern Namib. Predation on livestock results