How many African lions live in the wild? Experts say the number might range from 20,000 to 39,000. But the methods used to track them, like counting footprints, aren’t always reliable. Researcher Alex Braczkowski thinks the population estimates are way off, so he’s using a new strategy to get a much closer look at these big cats.
Braczkowski and his team spent three months in the African country of Uganda, where lions spend their days lounging in trees. The team used drones to take close-up photos of the resting cats. Then they analyzed unique markings, like whisker spot patterns and scars, to identify each lion.
The team found that the number of female lions was lower than expected. Also, the lions’ range was bigger than they had thought—meaning the cats are traveling farther to find food. Braczkowski says this more accurate way of counting and tracking lions can help identify which groups of the cats need the most help to survive.