In the last two decades alone, the African lion population is estimated to have decreased by over 40% and now occupies approximately 17% of its historical range.
However, in the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem in Kenya, the story is different, with lions are roaring back thanks to unified efforts led by local communities, conservation organizations, and the Kenya Wildlife Service.
The African Baobab is a multipurpose, drought resistant, wild fruit tree, endemic to arid and semi-arid lands of Sub-Saharan Africa. Baobab populations have been showing a lack of regeneration, and therefore causes concern for the species survival.
The tree’s pulp has more protein than breast milk, more vitamin C than oranges, more magnesium than spinach, more iron than red meat and more potassium than a banana. It has become a popular additive in reinforced foods.
Researchers believe baobab has the potential to become a major regional export commodity, with Southern and Eastern African regions capable of supplying 700,000 metric tonnes of baobab fruit a year.
Newborn calves remain hidden in vegetation for the first few weeks while being nursed occasionally by the mother before joining the main herd. Older calves are held in the centre of the herd for safety.
The maternal bond between mother and calf lasts longer than in most bovines. However, when a new calf is born, the bonding ends and the mother keeps her previous offspring at bay with horn jabs. Nevertheless, the yearling follows its mother for another year or so. Males leave their mothers when they are two years old and join the bachelor groups.
For a bookgroup I've been reading James Fox's #truecrime account of the murder of Josslyn Hay in #Kenya in 1941, White Mischief (1982). Frankly I didn't enjoy it, mostly because the white colonialists in the first half C20th spark no empathy at all. However, what is interesting is Fox's account of investigative #journalism before the Internet changed research forever, notably its doggedness & the time required to track down information. @bookstodon