Why are lions the only cats that live in cooperative communities? How does their social structure contribute to their survival?
These are the questions that Craig Packer sought to answer more than 30 years ago, when he first went to Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater in northern Tanzania.
Packer and his graduate students have been pioneers on a scientific adventure that has revealed fascinating insights into the lions’ cooperative and competitive behavior, the evolutionary significance of the males’ manes, and the lions’ role within the community of species that share their habitat. At any given time, the research team monitors about 380 lions in 30 prides, each pride typically containing three to six females, their dependent offspring, and a coalition of two to four males.
Basic scientific research into the lions’ behavior, survival and reproduction has paved the way for finding effective ways to conserve the species. Outside the national parks, some lions become man-eaters while others habitually kill livestock, leading to intensive conflicts with Tanzanian villagers. Lion populations in many protected areas have also suffered from excessive trophy hunting. As the conflict between lions and humans has escalated, Packer and his students have sought creative resolutions throughout Africa.
The Lion Research Center is headquartered at the University of Minnesota’s College of Biological Sciences. This website was designed to provide information about lion research for the general public as well as students and scientists interested in animal behavior.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Additional funding provided by Britpart / Land Rover, National Geographic and Panthera.
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Hunters are depleting lion and cougar populations, study finds
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