For decades, Craig Packer and his research team have conducted comprehensive long-term research on lion behavior and human-lion interaction for the famous Serengeti Lion Project. Their findings have shaped the way we understand lions and their role in complex savannah ecosystems and identified new approaches for protecting these dangerous predators. The United States recently designated African lions as an endangered species highlighting the growing threats to this iconic cat. Retaliatory killings by local communities, habitat loss, poaching and trophy hunting all contribute to the precipitous decline of lion populations in under-funded African reserves. Without changes to policy and a fresh approach to conservation, the outlook is bleak. The Lion Center at the University of Minnesota is announcing its new mission to tackle the complicated issues around lion conservation through advocacy for direct international funding for African wildlife reserves and development of innovative strategies to protect both lions and vulnerable human communities in an ever-evolving landscape.
