The Lion Research Center has two main goals. First, to promote research into the basic biology and conservation of African lions. Second, to make our research findings available to the public.
African Research:
Serengeti List of research efforts underway in the Serengeti, Tanzania, Africa.
The Serengeti Lion Yearbook , updates about the life and events for each of the lion prides studied and tracked in the Serengeti.
Lion Mane Research in the Serengeti, why do male lions have manes and what are the advantages of each type of mane are some the questions being addressed.
The Lions of Ngorongoro Crater, a paper written by Craig Packer in 1992 and published in National Geographic, along with a visual history of Ngorongoro lion prides. The number of lions in the Crater has fallen from 150 lions to around 30 lions in 1999, and this is one of the biggest current projects to determine why this sudden decline is occurring.
Why do lions, baboons, and other mammals experience menopause? Read about this in a paper published by Dr. Packer in 1998 titled "Why Menopause" in Natural History.
How and when do lions cooperate with pride members? Read about these unusual insights in an article published originally in Scientific American in 1997 titled " Divided We Fall: Cooperation Among Lions".
Maswa Game Reserve, Tanzania: Research efforts underway by a Doctoral student from the University of Minnesota into the impacts on hunting on lion populations in the Maswa Game Reserve.
South Africa Projects:Focus on the health and survival of small lion populations and how can lions be reintroduced into Parks and Reserves where they were previously exterminated to increase genetic viability of the species and foster eco-tourism to these areas.
Project Lifelion: a summary of the efforts to prevent further outbreaks of Canine Distemper Virus in the lion prides in the Serengeti by immunizing dogs in the surrounding villages against CDV.
Asian Lions
Other Big Cat Sites: a few links to other wildlife sites.
How to Identify Lions: Lions all appear to be the same, but here is a summary of the different marks and features of lions that can be used for positive identification on an individual lion
University of Minnesota Lion Research Center Information:
The Lion Research Center is a part of the University of Minnesota Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, so to learn more about the Department and course information, follow the link to the University of Minnesota.
Meet some of the students and Professors who are involved in the Lion Research Center at Meet the Researchers.
Ways to be Involved:
Sponsor a Lion or Lion Pride in the Serengeti - Adopt a Lion
How to contribute to the LRC to continue its research efforts
List of Projects needing funding
Additonal Reading
Link to the Department of Ecology at the University of Minnesota
Volunteer opportunites
Going on Safari:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Answers to some of the questions that arrive at the Lion Research Center.
