Dr Simon Black appears in a broadcast for NDR German Television in Hamburg on the 1st April for the popular science programme “W wie Wissen” (“K for Knowledge”). The programme is a half-hour special on the conservation of rare species in zoos, with a detailed look into conservation of Barbary Lions. Simon was interviewed alongside Adrian Harland at Port Lympne Wildlife, with additional interviews of zoo curators in Germany. The programme examined Simon’s research work on the studbook for lions descended from the collection of the King of Morocco. The studbook is now managed by Adrian through the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Simon is seen showing the genealogical tree for all captive Moroccan lions in European zoos, linking new cubs in Hannover Zoo with potential future breeding partners in other zoos.
Simon’s research has encouraged several zoos to start new collections of these lions, increasing breeding capacity across the population. In addition, several transfers of animals between zoos have created new breeding pairs of unrelated animals, which will improve the genetic health of the captive population in the medium term. Simon is pursuing further research with colleagues to examine the genetic distinctiveness of these lions and their conservation significance for biodiversity in North Africa.