The African lion (Panthera leo), celebrated in myth and story, is arguably Africa's most iconic wild creature. But today, the biggest of the big cats faces unprecedented threats to its existence in the wild. In Search of the African Lion explores the complex world of the lion, its place in history and legend, as well as the threats to its continued survival. Richly illustrated with dramatic photographs, video and audio clips, the book also highlights the work of dedicated researchers and game rangers seeking to protect the lion.
In Search of the African Lion, published in 2012 as a glossy coffee-table book, is a fascinating tale about these magnificent cats, their biology, relationship with humans, and the sad tale of the reduction in wild lion populations in Africa from some 450 000, 50 years ago to just 23 000 today.
Roger and Pat de la Harpe documented the wild lions of South Africa over a period of 18 months to compile their book In Search of the African Lion. In uncovering the story behind the African lion, the couple spoke to scientists, ecologists, game rangers, trackers, hunters and those involved in animal rights groups throughout South Africa, and were struck by their commitment to lions in various different ways.
"Fifty years ago there were an estimated 450 000 wild lions in Africa. Today there are only around 23 000. This equates to a quarter of the number of seats in South Africa’s premier sports stadium, Soccer City - a truly shocking statistic, particularly because the decline has taken place in so many of our lifetimes... There is no doubt that an African continent without free-ranging lions would be a tragedy beyond words – if future generations got to glimpse these magnificent cats only behind the bars of cages or in the small enclosures of zoos. Indeed, the entire energy of the planet would be diminished in some way – and so would we, without the one other species against which we always have found the measure of ourselves." - from the authors
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