Tracking down lions in the Namib Desert.

The Desert Lion Conservation Project was started by Dr. Stander in the harsh Namib Desert.

The Desert Lion Conservation Project was started by Dr. Stander in the harsh Namib Desert. Human-lion conflict is arguably the biggest threat to lions in Namibia, and elsewhere in Africa. There is need for proactive management of human-lion conflict to ensure the long-term conservation of the species. In 1998 he started an intensive research project on the desert lions, termed The Desert Lion Conservation project was started in 1998 with the aim to collect sound ecological data, address human-lion conflicts, and to develop a conservation strategy.

In 2007 his current vehicle was a 1983 Toyota Hilux and was in desperate need of replacement. After the most fortuitous of encounters with a group of LCCSA members, in January 2008 one of LCCSA member, Adolf Huster, contacted Dr. Standar by email and explained that LCCSA would like to sponsor a new vehicle for the Desert Lion Project. A month later Chris Weaver, from WWF-Life, approached him with an offer of US$ 35,000 towards a new field vehicle.

In February 2008 Adolf started an active fund raising campaign on behalf of the LCCSA. The response from the Club’ s members was nothing short of remarkable. In an email to Dr. Standar Adolf wrote: “The following vibe that went through that club to make this happen was out of this world! We had online auctions, auctions at

different venues and business challenges of unbelievable value! The money came in fast and furious! End of March 2008 we have achieved our set target (R 140 000.00) and started to look for a vehicle.”

At end of April 2008, after numerous discussions between Dr. Standar and Adolf , LCCSA found the ideal vehicle for the project: a 2004 Land Cruiser 79, Double cab, 4.5 EFI. The Land Cruiser then went through a comprehensive service and face-lift, and various members of the Club, which are experts in different aspects of Land Cruisers, worked on the vehicle.

The official hand-over of the vehicle took place in mid-June 2008. In the early July Dr. Standar made the first field trip with the new Land Cruiser. The impact that this vehicle will have on the Lion Project is huge. It is ideally suited and so well equipped that it will greatly improve his ability to study and conserve lions in the harsh desert terrain.

Solar panels were installed on the roof for charging batteries.

▼ Two spare tyres on the rear swing out carrier. They were donated by the sponsor company in South Africa. A 300 liter petrol tank and water tanks on the tray.

▲ The steering pad were removed and new open space was used the holder for a cigarette lighter and pens. A Toyota engineer said "Good grief". Inside the vehicle only a driver seat existed and other space was packed with equipment on the steel rack.

▼ A new and improved sound system for lion playbacks was mounted on the roof. The system was being designed to accommodate the specific frequencies of lion vocalisations.

▲ The field vehicle for the Desert Lion Project is 2004 Land Cruiser FZJ79RP. Despite the bad fuel consumption rate, Dr. Standar sticks with a petrol engine because of less engine noise. Moreover the vehicle has not washed once for over three years. So the vehicle is quiet and well camouflaged, this is especially valuable when approaching skittish lions. The Australian ARB bull bar with a electrical winch and a hand shovel on the front.

The Land Cruiser pickup in action to protect desert lions in Namibia.

▲ Dr. Standar was inspecting the new Dan-Inject dart gun. ▲ A couple of lions were spotted in the oasis beyond the sand dune.

▼ The field vehicle climbed up the steep sand dune with 1FZ power.

▲ The wheel tracks can exist for over 30 years in the so dry environment. Dr. Standar cleaned off the wheel tracks on the hard sand surface.