Lions are in serious decline across most of the African continent. According to the most recent International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessment, as few as 20,000 lions remain. The increasing trade in lion bones and other body parts is recognized as a major threat to existing lion populations, alongside habitat and prey loss, human/wildlife conflict and poorly regulated trophy hunting.
The Burchell’s Zebra lives in small family units, which typically consist of one stallion and one mare with their foals. Non-breeding stallions occur in bachelor groups. Herd stallions are between four to 12 years old. Water holes in conjunction with favoured grazing areas attract family groups which collectively congregate in large numbers. Short grassland areas within savanna woodland and grassland plains constitute the preferred habitat. Their dependence on water restricts the Burchell’s Zebra to wander further than ten to 12 km from water. Densely vegetated areas are avoided.
Black-backed jackals have a dark saddle on the back, which runs from the nape of the neck to the base of the tail. They have a black, bushy tail and reddish flanks and limbs; standing about 400 mm at the shoulder and a meter in total length. The adult males are on average larger and heavier than females. Males have a mean mass of about 8 kg and females, 7 kg. The black-backed jackal is lighter in appearance than the side-striped jackal. The head is dog-like, with a pointed muzzle and high upstanding, pointed ears.
