Lions 'found' in Ethiopia

- Biologists have lions found in a park in northwest Ethiopia along the border with Sudan. The consensus so far has been that lions were extinct long ago in this part of Africa, as a result of hunting and encroaching civilization.

Lions live in and around the Alatash National Park, as reported by researchers at the University of Oxford, UK, after an expedition to the area. Presumably also live a lot of lions across the border in Sudan's Dinder National Park. Because there is little prey animals live in the area, the relative population is rather low. The researchers estimate that only one or two lions live in an area of ​​100 square kilometers. Since the total area about 10 000 square kilometers, the researchers assume a total population of 100 to 200 lions.

The next step is to engage with the Ethiopian and Sudanese authorities to ensure that the lions will be protected. This is sorely needed, because the lion populations throughout Africa since 1980 has decreased by 50 to 75 percent, according to conservation group Born Free.

Below the overall habitat of the lions.