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We have just returned to the UK after a very positive Conference. The African range state delegates made the Conference a big success as they all realized the precarious situation of lions on the continent. They took a view beyond their own borders, and will work together as a team to further the conservation of this species so critically important in ensuring ecosystem health. African lions need African solutions, and all lion range states were united in their determination to ensure the future survival of lions.

As stated at the beginning of the Conference, all range states need to urgently and cooperatively decide the future of lion populations that they often share. The African lion is a common heritage, and individual range states were well aware of their responsibility to jointly participate in conservation programmes.

We have today sent the draft conference resolutions decided by the range state delegates for their final comments and input. Once confirmed, these resolutions will be made public, but we can already say that the range states decided on significant ways forward to ensure the survival of the species. The Conference was seen by all as a starting point, and LionAid will facilitate all further discussions and plans to go forward. We will organize another meeting one year from now, and the range state delegates will expect significant progress on a number of issues.

This Conference will show the world that African lion range states are greatly concerned about the significant declines of this species. Informed conservation plans are necessary to ensure the survival of the species, and to reverse the decline in numbers wherever possible. This will require both internal and external funding and LionAid firmly believes that such funding can be identified and applied according to the priorities identified by the range states. It is the range states themselves who will decide on how best to conserve the species within and across their borders, and the Conference delegates were united in seeking all best and relevant information to inform their ways forward.

The Conference exceeded our expectations, not least in terms of the synergy among the range states attending. From Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the northeast, all came together for a united and common purpose – ensure the survival of lions in Africa!

Picture credit: Chris Harvey

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