Friday, September 14, 2012

Bummer: Carbon dioxide is allegedly killing large numbers of African lions

Photo of the week #34 – Climate change could threaten the African Lion | RTCC - Responding to Climate Change
It’s one of Africa’s most iconic predators, but even the lion will not be spared the impacts of a warming world.
...
The perfect storm of extreme drought followed by heavy seasonal rains is said to have set up the conditions for two diseases – both of which are regularly survived when occurring in isolation – to converge, killing large numbers of the animal.
2005:  Over population forces lion culling | GulfNews.com
The reserves say they have no choice but to kill healthy animals as numbers have grown beyond capacity - and they cannot sell them as there are too many on the market.
...
In their natural state, numbers are kept down by the arrival of a new dominant male from outside, which asserts itself by killing the pride leader and all of its offspring.

No comments: