Photo by @amivitale. A recently released lion walks through tall grass in a remote region of the 4,500 square kilometer Zambeze Delta area in Mozambique. She was a part of the largest ever international conservation transfer ever undertaken. 24 lions, sourced from various reserves in South Africa, were brought to their new home. Mozambique's wildlife had been decimated by civil war and subsequent poaching, but careful management had allowed other wildlife to come back, with the exception of the lions. This transfer is bringing the apex predator back to some of its native range. A hundred years ago, there were over 200,000 wild lions living in Africa. Today, lions are extinct in 26 African countries and they number fewer than 20,000 across the continent. This transfer could someday represent an important stronghold for the species. Scientists estimate in 15 years, there may be as many as 500 lions here and in 20 years, they may represent as much as 10% of the world's wild lion population. Already, 20 cubs have been born. I covered this historic undertaking for my recent @natgeo story. Learn more by reading "How the world’s largest lion relocation was pulled off. @twentyfourlions @zambezedeltaconservation @ivan.carter @natgeoimagecollection @thephotosociety @photog.for.good #protectearth #conservation #earth #lions #savelions #worthmorealive #stoppoaching #mozambique #photojournalism #amivitale #nikonusa #nikonlove #nikonnofilter #nikonambassador #photographyforgood (at Mozambique) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3u2zARB2bO/?igshid=2j7opokhopjr
