Below are excerps from the 2008 season report of a trophy monitoring project in the Niassa blocks, Moz (auth: Colleen and Keith Begg) that has been going on for a few years.

1. Four lions were taken as trophies in 2008 representing an off-take of 25% of the SRN allocated quota, (36% of the purchased quota) with seven unsuccessful lion hunts.
2. The number of underage lions taken as trophies has decreased markedly with no young lions (< 6 years old) taken as trophies in 2008, compared to 2004 when 75% of trophies were underage.
3. Off-take of lion has dropped sharply from 80% in 2003 to only 25% in 2008 with a particularly large drop between 2007 and 2008 (50% to 25% of the quota).
4. The reason for this decrease in off-take is not caused by a decline in the lion population. Rather it reflects a decrease in the number of underage lions taken as trophies. The number of lions over the age of six taken as trophies in the last three years has remained stable at four individuals per year. This off take is now likely to represent a sustainable off-take of lion in NNR based on the current lion population size in the operational hunting concessions.
5.Five years of data on lion aging have now been collected in NNR from trophy animals as well as radio-marked individuals (n = 12) and these data show conclusively that mane development and nose pigmentation are related to tooth wear (age) and individuals can consistently be placed in broad age categories based on visual aging cues.

An interesting observation is the success rate fell to around 25% once operators targeted 6+ males only - which is what I have been proclaiming all these years

Do you believe that natural mortality accounts for the fact that you don't see a lot of 5-6 year old lions running around? I mean if we are passing on lions that are on the bubble, 5-6 years old and trying to shoot 7-9 year olds, then where are all the 5-6 year olds that are passed up? I think the idea of shooting older lions and lions that are not in a pride with sub adults is a good idea and I support it. I am not sure however, that this has led to more shootable lions the taking of which doesn't affect the overall lion population. There was a special on television about the poisoning of lions in I believe Masailand. I think that is what is causing a drop in lion populations in many areas. It was surprising how much poison and how easily it could be purchased.

I believe it is much more complicated than that. We are assuming that the 6-7 year old lions (rather than the 5-6 of which are seen more regularly IMHO than 6-7) are the ones that get booted out of a pride or territory. Once this happens, their behavior changes dramatically; they will be out of a territory (most probably trespassing on several other pride territories) so they will be less vocal, they won't mark or call as often (or not at all), they will be a lot more secretive, moving around only at night and spending daylight hours in very dense bush. They may even wonder completely away from the territory they have lost! I have heard accounts of lions travelling 150 or more km away from where they were known to hold a pride/territory. Vis a vis hunting, they will often scavange rather than hunt their own prey BUT, they are always on the move so they may hit a bait and never return to it. Eventually, leading such a secretive, solitary life shortens their life expectancy and the threat of injury from encounters with other males (or females) catches up with them. I wouldn't be suprise if the average male dies within 1-2 years of going solo.

All of the above could explain why so few are seen as you say. There are so many variables that it is difficult to say for certain.

Yes, poisoning does take place far more than is ever heard of. I believe you are referring to the data from the Laikipia lion project in kenya where Dr Frank has been raising awareness about the use of poison by the locals to eradicate predators including lions that threaten their livestock. Hundreds have perished this way. This is more an issue where human-wildlife conflict occurs so in communal lands rather than game reserves/parks (the perimeters being an obvious exception).

So from the traveling hunters point of view, to hunt with a company that practices appropriate lion management, the 21 day package with a success rate of 25% becomes a more difficult "sale".

In this microwave society, what effect will this have on the market place?

Will sport hunting for lion simply fade away?

How many will have the financial resources to commit up to 84 days and the accompanying max daily rates to assure success?

Before anyone sneerts at these suggestions, think about the long term psychological impact.

I am glad my lion hunting days are behind me as I personally could not afford to hunt under todays rates.

Jeff

It is very expensive and time consuming.

In my last 2 attempts in TZ, I didn't see a lion on one hunt. I saw 5 lions that were young in my estimation on the last hunt. I came home empty handed.

While I don't think it is all that hard to kill a lion, it does seem to be difficult to take a mature lion.

I am going to try one more time in October, then my lion hunting days are done.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
It is very expensive and time consuming.

In my last 2 attempts in TZ, I didn't see a lion on one hunt. I saw 5 lions that were young in my estimation on the last hunt. I came home empty handed.

While I don't think it is all that hard to kill a lion, it does seem to be difficult to take a mature lion.

I am going to try one more time in October, then my lion hunting days are done.

Good luck in October.....I hope you get a big mature male!!

It's nice to see that they are adhering to the 6 year rule in the Niassa area. I wonder if opperators in other areas of the country are adhering to the rule or if it's anything goes?

Bwanamich,

Any more news about change in enforcement of the 6 year rule in Tanzania?

Brett

Good news. Thanks for posting this.

quote:

Originally posted by Brett Adam Barringer:
It's nice to see that they are adhering to the 6 year rule in the Niassa area. I wonder if opperators in other areas of the country are adhering to the rule or if it's anything goes?

Bwanamich,

Any more news about change in enforcement of the 6 year rule in Tanzania?

Brett

Nothing that I have heard........they are too busy planning to screw up the industry in other ways I guess

During 6 21 day safaris in tanzania, I have not seen a single shootable lion.

Saeed,
Don't give up fortune favors the brave...........and the persistant

Otherwise, try leaving Walter back home