Title |
Examining the Extinction of the Barbary Lion and Its Implications for Felid Conservation
|
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Published in |
PLOS ONE, April 2013
|
DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0060174 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Simon A. Black, Amina Fellous, Nobuyuki Yamaguchi, David L. Roberts |
Abstract |
Estimations of species extinction dates are rarely definitive, yet declarations of extinction or extirpation are important as they define when conservation efforts may cease. Erroneous declarations of extinctions not only destabilize conservation efforts but also corrode local community support. Mismatches in perceptions by the scientific and local communities risk undermining sensitive, but important partnerships. We examine observations relating to the decline and extinction of Barbary lions in North Africa. Whilst the extinction predates the era of the scientific conservation movement, the decline is relatively well documented in historical records. Recently unearthed accounts suggest Barbary lions survived later than previously assumed. We use probabilistic methods to estimate a more recent extinction date for the subspecies. The evidence presented for a much later persistence of lions in North Africa, including generations when sightings were nil, suggests caution when considering felid populations as extinct in the wild. The case raises the possibility that captive animals descended from the Moroccan royal collection are closer contemporaries to wild Barbary lions. Furthermore, our results highlight the vulnerability of very small lion populations and the significance of continued conservation of remnant lion populations in Central and West Africa. |
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United Kingdom | 15 | 10% |
Spain | 5 | 3% |
Netherlands | 4 | 3% |
Canada | 4 | 3% |
Australia | 2 | 1% |
Denmark | 2 | 1% |
Ireland | 2 | 1% |
Côte d'Ivoire | 1 | <1% |
Other | 16 | 10% |
Unknown | 75 | 49% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
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Members of the public | 120 | 78% |
Scientists | 23 | 15% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 9 | 6% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 2 | 1% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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United Kingdom | 3 | 4% |
Brazil | 1 | 1% |
Netherlands | 1 | 1% |
India | 1 | 1% |
United States | 1 | 1% |
Unknown | 76 | 92% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
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Student > Ph. D. Student | 16 | 19% |
Researcher | 14 | 17% |
Other | 10 | 12% |
Student > Master | 10 | 12% |
Student > Bachelor | 8 | 10% |
Other | 9 | 11% |
Unknown | 16 | 19% |
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Environmental Science | 13 | 16% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 4 | 5% |
Earth and Planetary Sciences | 4 | 5% |
Unspecified | 3 | 4% |
Other | 6 | 7% |
Unknown | 20 | 24% |