;;;;;;;;;Alf , stated it right when he said he was a privledged white .,., The fact that he blames people procreating as the problem for Africa,s animal problems ,. just proves him to be an elitist whose views should be disregarded out of hand....I imagine the woman and childern in the photos are his ... Of course,, his genes were superior to the average indegenous African and there fore he must be able to procreate , And his child needs to be protected by the firearm on his hip .. Where as the avg black african father has no right to protect his daughter with a firearm ...They must apeall to some governing body .....Its a bunch of horse s#$% ... And they wonder why they lost ....GO FIGURE...

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I appreciate what you are saying and trying to do, however I have a problem with conceptualizing how that data would be of any practical use?

Alf,
When you can take DNA from a group of harvested animals in a concession and utilize it to see how healthy a population is, I don't see how you can ask that question.

Not to menntion the fact that if there were some other natural diaster such as a disease outbreak, we mihgt be able to find the answer. Tuberculosis (TB) is a major problem in many wildlife groups esp. Lions and Cape buffalo.

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And I will be specific in that obtaining random specimens from shot individuals mapped by GPS location would be representative of what part of a lion population?

With enough time and data collection, a very large portion.

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It is true that you would have a Genetic data base for these indivduals but how is that to be linked with a purpose in conservation?

Antipoaching, population management, and understanding individual characteristics! Not to mention having the ability to answer future questions that might come up with out having to collect new samples.

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You see unless if you set up a study where the populations of lion are mapped according to pride territory as has been done in various african countries and you now immobilize groups or individuals from those populations and do their genetics the value would be lost.

All I can say to that statement is that experts in the field of wildlife genetics, disagree with you.

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The KNP lion prides have been mapped so have Lion in parts of Botswana as well as in Tanzania, they have also been investigated in terms of genetic diversity.

Alf,

We are aware of what has been done. That is not the issue! Lion population continues to decrease. Apparanrently we are not doing enough or the "right things". I think it is the question of the "right things". That is the point of the project. Research from a unique perspective with contribution from the people (hunting industry) that live with and benefit from there healthy populations.

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I would like to express my shock at the vehemence from ALF on this subject. I would think "the more the merrier" with respect to research and conservation. His reference to his research without a shot across the bow of any animal gives me pause on his objectivity..

My sentiments axactly Caretaker. Why be against anything that could possibly benefit wildlife, people and even countries? Your guess is as good as mine.