Tracking Elusive Lions
This is the quintessential face of Gorongosa lions…highly elusive, wild animals that are very difficult to locate. The GPS collars we deploy go far beyond just being a research tool… they are our “conservation anchors,” and they help us save lives. Tracking groups weekly, keeping them out of snares and hands of poachers, deploying our rapid-response vet unit effectively, and of course keeping track of precious young cubs. Trail camera photos also help us capture candid photos of lions in their habitats. You can learn more about how we use these tools by watching this video.
My Driver’s License
I am proud to say that I just passed my driver’s test! Getting a driver’s license is something that not many Mozambicans have an opportunity to do. I feel very fortunate that the Gorongosa science team has supported me in taking driving lessons and passing the test! This is not just a great personal achievement for me, but it is also so important for the work that I do. Paola Bouley usually drives all of us on her team to do field work, but now that the team is growing and the area to cover is so large, we can divide and conquer! With this new skill, I look forward to helping lead the Gorongosa Lion Project researchers for years to come.
New Scouts Graduate
Forty new scouts graduated in Gorongosa National Park this week. Young men from communities surrounding the Park that passed a rigorous selection and training and will now go on to endure unimaginable hardships in the field to defend the wildlife and ecosystems of the Park. They are on the frontlines of lion conservation and we are so proud of their achievement. Congratulations!
A Family Moment
We just had to post this sweet family moment from WildCam. Elephants are such amazing creatures with strong family bonds. As the holidays approach we are thankful for our own families, Gorongosa’s animal families, and our WildCam Gorongosa family! Thank you for all of your help to make this research possible!
Extreme Lion Close Up
These trail cameras capture some of the coolest photos I’ve ever seen – like this close up of a male lion. It’s also great for identifying individuals by looking at the pattern of their whisker spots.
This batch of photos on WildCam is over 60% complete and we couldn’t be more excited and grateful for the data that you all are gathering. The next batch of photos will be ready to upload soon, so here is a sneak peek!
WildCam Gorongosa 