Dr Simon Black study evaluates the genealogy and diversity of so-called ‘Moroccan Royal lions’.
A newly published study co authored by Simon Black at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, with Kristina Lehocká, Adrian Harland, Ondrej Kadlečík, Radovan Kasarda, Nina Moravčíková evaluates the genealogy and diversity of so-called ‘Moroccan Royal lions’, which are descendants of the lion collection of the Sultan (and subsequent Kings) of Morocco. The research raises specific recommendations to carefully manage this unusual lion group.
Public perception of lions usually considers the familiar savannah lions of Eastern and Southern Africa, which form the southern lion sub-species (Panthera leo melanochaita) and which represents 90% of lions – those commonly seen on safari and in zoos, films and TV documentaries.
The zoo population of ‘Moroccan Royal lions’ (Panthera leo melanochaita) could potentially contribute to conservation of the less well-known, vulnerable northern lion subspecies Panthera leo leo, which numbers less than three thousand individuals. The northern subspecies clings on in fragmented areas of Central and Western Africa, and India, but is already extinct in North Africa and the Middle East. Potential population recovery and even reintroduction of the sub-species into former habitats remain possibilities.
Although today there are 98 animals descended from the Moroccan lions, interrelatedness and demographics (including gender, age and breeding viability) reduces this number to, in effect, the equivalent of just 14 individuals. Despite this small base population, these captive animals are important since, alongside just 100 or so Indian lions, they are the only captive representatives of wild lions of northern subspecies Panthera leo leo.
Breeding programmes for Moroccan Royal lions must be managed to conserve base ancestor genes. The authors of the study stress that now is the time to include the Moroccan Royal lions group within the strategic conservation of lions and to engage the zoo community in active and systematic management of the population to preserve genetic diversity and viability for the future.
Importantly, the study identifies 30 specific individuals best suited for breeding and identifies specific male/female pairings within this group in order to preserve the best genetic status within the future population. Zoos can use this information to devise animal transfers to enable establishment of new breeding pairs. A fit captive population will be better suited to any potential preparation of animals for reintroduction in the wild.Whilst the suggestion of reintroducing a major predator may seem far-fetched, currently several schemes which consider the use of this specific group of captive lions as an apex element within a wider strategy of landscape and ecosystem restoration are being formulated in three countries within the animal’s former range.
Moroccan Royal lions are found in zoo collections in various countries including Morocco, Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Slovakia and the United Kingdom. The zoo studbook for these lions, originally devised by Dr Black, is managed by partnerships across holding zoos, led by the Aspinall Foundation in the UK. who have a significant Moroccan Royal lion collection and work with zoo partners in Europe and Morocco.This study involved a collaboration led by colleagues at the Institute of Nutrition and Genomics, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra Slovakia.
Read Genetic diversity, viability and conservation value of the global captive population of the Moroccan Royal lions here.